China Visa-Free Entry After 31 December 2026: Will It Be Extended Into 2027?

Last checked: 2026-11-05. Rules change; always confirm with the official source before you travel.

If you are planning a trip to China for Chinese New Year (6 February 2027), a January ski trip or the spring trade fairs, you have probably noticed a problem: China's popular 30-day visa-free entry is currently only valid until 31 December 2026 for most countries. Here is what the official sources say as of late October 2026, what has happened in past years, and how to plan safely.

The short answer

• No extension into 2027 has been announced yet for the 48 countries whose 30-day exemption ends on 31 December 2026, including Germany, France, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
• Russia is the exception: on 20 May 2026 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended visa-free entry for Russian ordinary passport holders to 31 December 2027.
• Brunei's visa-free arrangement has no end date, according to the Chinese embassy FAQ.
• 240-hour visa-free transit (for 57 countries, including the US) is a separate policy and has no 31 December 2026 end date.
• Past extensions were announced about two months before the deadline (for example on 3 November 2025), so news could come at any time in the coming weeks.

Who is covered until 31 December 2026

Ordinary passport holders from 48 countries can enter visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family and friends, exchange visits or transit. The list includes most of the EU, the UK and Canada (added from 17 February 2026), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Our visa-free entry guide has the full list. The 30 days are counted from 00:00 on the day after you arrive.

How past extensions happened

The pattern suggests the government reviews the policy each autumn, but there is no guarantee. Each extension is announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and published by Chinese embassies, so those are the places to watch.

Planning a trip that crosses the deadline

• Arriving in December and leaving in January? The official notices give the policy end date but do not spell out whether someone who enters on, say, 20 December 2026 can stay until mid-January 2027. Until the rule is clarified or extended, ask the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before booking, or keep your trip within 2026.
• Travelling in January or February 2027? If no extension is announced, you will need a visa or another route. Leave time: visa applications can take a week or more, and centres get busy before Chinese New Year.
• Book refundable or changeable tickets for early 2027 until the position is clear.
• Check the official notice, not social media. Rumours of an extension appear every year before the real announcement.

Backup options if there is no extension

• 240-hour visa-free transit: up to 10 days in the permitted regions if you fly on to a third country or region, such as Beijing to Seoul or Shanghai to Hong Kong. A round trip from your home country does not qualify.
• Mutual visa-exemption agreements: some countries, such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, have their own agreements with China that are not tied to the 31 December date.
• Hainan 30-day entry for nationals of 61 countries, if you stay within Hainan.
• A tourist (L) or business (M) visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your country.

Need to stay longer than 30 days?

Visa-free entry is for short visits. If you need to stay beyond 30 days for a reason such as illness or a delayed flight, you must apply for a stay permit at the local Public Security Bureau exit-entry office before your 30 days run out. Work, study and journalism always need the proper visa.

Visiting for Chinese New Year 2027?

Spring Festival falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, and the travel rush starts weeks earlier. See our Chinese New Year 2027 travel guide for what closes and how to book trains, and the Harbin winter guide if you are combining it with the ice festival. We will update this page as soon as the 2027 policy is announced.

FAQ

Is China's 30-day visa-free entry extended to 2027?

Not yet for most countries. As of late October 2026 the exemption for 48 countries runs until 31 December 2026. Only Russia's has been extended, to 31 December 2027.

When will China announce whether visa-free entry continues in 2027?

There is no set date. The last extension was announced on 3 November 2025, about two months before the deadline.

Can I enter China visa-free in December 2026 and leave in January 2027?

The official notices do not say. Check with the Chinese embassy or consulate before booking, or keep your trip within 2026 until the rule is clarified.

What can Americans use instead?

US citizens are not covered by the 30-day exemption, but can use 240-hour visa-free transit when flying on to a third country or region, or apply for a visa.

Official sources

• Chinese Embassy: FAQs on visa-free entry into China (August 2026)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: notice extending the visa-free policy to 31 Dec 2026 (3 Nov 2025)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa-free entry for the UK and Canada (Feb 2026)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: notice extending visa-free entry for Russia to 31 Dec 2027
• Chinese Visa Application Service Center notice
• NIA: 240-hour visa-free transit policy