China has implemented various visa-free policies that allow foreign nationals to visit specific cities and regions without obtaining a visa in advance. These policies are designed to promote tourism, business exchanges, and international cooperation. Here is an overview of the main visa-free arrangements available in Chinese cities as of 2026.
- Hainan Province – 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Hainan Island offers a 30-day visa-free policy for citizens of 59 countries, including Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and many European and Southeast Asian nations . Travelers can enter through any open port in Hainan for tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions, or sports events (excluding work or study). This policy makes the entire province of Hainan accessible without a visa.
- Regional Visa-Free Policies for Tourist Groups
- Guangdong Province: Foreign tourist groups (minimum 2 persons) arriving via Hong Kong or Macau can enjoy a 6-day visa-free stay in the Greater Bay Area cities (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou) and Shantou City .
- Guangxi (Guilin): ASEAN tourist groups can enter via Guilin Airport for a 6-day visa-free stay within Guilin City .
- Yunnan (Xishuangbanna): ASEAN tourist groups can enter through Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, or Mohan Highway Port for a 6-day visa-free stay in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture .
- Cruise Ship Visa-Free Policy
Foreign tourist groups arriving by cruise ships can enjoy a 15-day visa-free stay when entering through 13 designated cruise ports: Tianjin, Dalian (Liaoning), Shanghai, Lianyungang (Jiangsu), Wenzhou and Zhoushan (Zhejiang), Xiamen (Fujian), Qingdao (Shandong), Guangzhou and Shenzhen (Guangdong), Beihai (Guangxi), and Haikou and Sanya (Hainan) . The allowed travel area covers 11 coastal provinces and Beijing.
- 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Policy
China has expanded its transit visa-free policy to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of 55 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, most European Union nations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several others . This policy is available at 65 ports across 24 provinces, allowing travelers to engage in tourism, business, and family visits during their stay.
- Unilateral Visa-Free Policy
Citizens of 48 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transit purposes . This policy applies nationwide, though some regional restrictions may exist.
These visa-free measures reflect China’s commitment to opening up and facilitating international travel. Travelers should verify the latest requirements with official sources before planning their trips, as policies may be updated periodically.