China Visa Update — 30 May 2026

visa • 30 May 2026

China’s **2026 visa policy** for tourists is broadly *easier than before*, with China continuing to expand **visa-free entry** for many nationalities and keeping several **transit-free** and **regional visa-free** options in place.[2][6] For Australian travellers, the key practical point is that **Australia is included in China’s temporary 30-day visa-free scheme through 31 December 2026**, which covers tourism, business, family/friend visits, exchange and transit.[2] According to Fragomen, the temporary **30-day visa-free** list also includes the UK, Canada, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea, among others, while some nationalities have separate bilateral arrangements or longer cumulative stays.[2] China also continues to offer a **240-hour transit visa-free** programme at designated ports, and Trip.com notes that some ports now support this option, along with **online arrival information submission** before travel.[1] For tourists planning a trip, the main action point is to check whether your nationality qualifies for **visa-free entry**, **240-hour transit**, or still requires a standard visa, because the rules differ by passport and length of stay.[1][2] If you are travelling from Australia in 2026, the most relevant update is that short stays are now simpler to arrange, but trips **over 30 days** or for purposes outside the exemption still need the appropriate visa.[1][2]

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