Visa-Free & Transit Checker
Check whether you can enter China visa-free, use 240-hour transit without a visa, or need to apply based on your nationality and trip type.
Last reviewed: July 13, 2026. This checker is a planning aid, not an official eligibility decision.
Official sources to verify before booking
Visa-free country lists, entry ports, permitted travel areas, and airline boarding checks can change. Treat official government and airline rules as final.
- National Immigration Administration for border inspection and transit exemption updates.
- State Council information portal for English-language policy announcements.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassy or consulate websites for passport-specific rules.
How to avoid visa-free mistakes
The most common error is mixing up ordinary visa-free entry with visa-free transit. A normal round trip and a stopover to a third country are not the same itinerary. Airlines check documents before boarding, so a misunderstanding can stop the trip before you reach China.
- Check passport nationality first. Residence country and card billing country do not decide visa-free eligibility.
- Separate entry from transit. Transit usually requires confirmed onward travel to a third country or region.
- Confirm entry ports. Transit policies depend on designated ports and permitted travel areas.
- Keep proof ready. Airlines and border officers may ask for onward ticket, hotel, itinerary, or invitation details.