Thinking about visiting China? You're in for an amazing adventure! For most travelers, a Chinese tourist visa is part of the preparation process — but it's usually straightforward. We recommend starting your visa application about a month before your trip so you'll have plenty of time for processing. As a general guideline, your passport should have at least six months of validity remaining after your trip.

Good news: China now offers visa-free entry for citizens of many countries, allowing visits of up to 30 days. As of early 2026, the list of countries offering unilateral visa-free access is as follows:

  • Europe (33 countries): France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia
  • Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand
  • Asia (7 countries): Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
  • South America (5 countries): Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
  • North America (1 country): Canada

Policies do change from time to time, so it's always best to check the latest information before you travel. To ensure a smooth journey, we strongly advise checking the most current visa regulations and contacting the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country for accurate, up-to-date guidance on visa applications and entry requirements.

If you need assistance with your visa application, feel free to contact Dragon Roads for support and information.

Written by Dragon Roads Team

Official Dragon Roads editorial team.