Inside China’s Expanded Visa-Free Entry Program
China has extended its visa-free entry policy for citizens of several countries, allowing stays of up to 30 days until the end of 2026. While beneficial for short-term scouting, digital nomads requiring longer stays must still navigate traditional business or tourist visa categories.
Inside China’s Expanded Visa-Free Entry Program
China has significantly broadened its visa-free entry policy, allowing citizens from over 50 countries to enter the mainland for up to 30 days without a prior application. This program, which has been steadily expanding since late 2025, is currently slated to remain in effect through December 31, 2026.
The policy targets short-term visitors traveling for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or transit. While the 30-day window is a major leap from previous 15-day limits, the rules remain strict regarding activities. Visitors are prohibited from engaging in formal employment, long-term study, or journalism.
Who can benefit
The list of eligible nationalities now includes most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. Recent additions like the UK, Canada, and Brazil have made the program accessible to a much larger portion of the global nomad community.
For digital nomads, this is a perfect tool for "scouting" trips or short-term remote work stints. However, those looking to stay longer than a month still need to secure a traditional M (Business) or Z (Work) visa. While some travelers utilize "visa runs" to Hong Kong or Macau to reset their stay, border officials may scrutinize frequent, back-to-back entries.
How it works
Entering under this policy is straightforward. You do not need to pay fees or apply at an embassy. You simply present a valid ordinary passport upon arrival.
- Stays are calculated starting from 00:00 the day after you land.
- You should have proof of onward travel and a clear purpose of visit ready for immigration officers.
- Travelers can take advantage of improved mobile payment options like Alipay and WeChat Pay, which now support foreign credit cards.
If you are transiting through China to a third country, you may also be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit program, which covers 55 nationalities and allows for stays of up to 10 days in specific provinces. Check our latest nomad news for more updates on regional access.
Read our full China guide for the complete picture.