Most of China's unilateral visa-free entry rules are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026, and as of October 2026 no extension has been announced. If you plan a 2027 trip on the assumption that today's rules still apply, you are assuming something the government has not promised.

Who this affects

Citizens of the countries covered by unilateral visa-free entry — currently about 50, including the UK and Canada (added February 17, 2026), plus France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and others. It also affects anyone from these countries booking trips for January 2027 onward, and travel planners setting dates before checking their nationality's current status.

What changed

Nothing has changed yet — that is the point. The deadlines are now close enough to matter:

  • December 31, 2026, 24:00 is the scheduled end date for the unilateral visa-free policy covering most countries, including the UK and Canada. Under it, ordinary passport holders may enter for business, tourism, family visits or transit for up to 30 days without a visa (source: National Immigration Administration, nia.gov.cn).
  • Brunei is the exception: its unilateral visa-free arrangement has no stated end date.
  • Russia is a separate case: its unilateral policy ran until September 14, 2026, so Russian travelers should confirm their current entry basis through the NIA before flying.
  • Extensions are possible — Beijing has extended these policies repeatedly since 2023 — but no extension for 2027 has been announced as of October 2026, and past extensions were announced only weeks before the deadline.

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy is a separate scheme with its own country list and port list; do not confuse the two when checking your status.

What to do

  1. Traveling before December 31, 2026? Nothing changes for you — enter under the current rules.
  2. Traveling in January 2027 or later? Check nia.gov.cn for your country's status before booking flights, not after.
  3. Booking refundable or changeable fares for 2027 trips if your eligibility might lapse; a visa run later costs far more than a flexible ticket now.
  4. If your country drops off the list, a standard L (tourist) visa remains the fallback — allow 1–3 weeks for processing at your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
  5. Re-check in early December 2026, when any last-minute extension would most likely be announced.

Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Confirm details with official channels before you travel.