China Visa Update — 2 June 2026
visa • 2 June 2026
China’s main **tourist visa update for 2026** is the continued expansion of visa-free entry, with **Australia** included in a temporary **30-day visa exemption** scheme that runs until **31 December 2026**. According to China’s embassy in Sweden and Smartraveller, eligible travellers can enter for **tourism, business, family/friends visits, exchange and transit**, with **no limit on the number of entries** and stays calculated from the **day after entry**.[2][6] For Australian travellers, the practical takeaway is that short trips to China are now simpler for many itineraries, especially city breaks and multi-stop visits. Smartraveller says Australians still need to **complete an electronic arrival card** before arrival or at the port of entry, and travellers should check that their purpose of visit matches the visa-free conditions before departure.[6] China’s current visa-free list also includes several other major source markets, and the embassy notes that the temporary **30-day exemption** for most listed countries remains in effect until **31 December 2026**, while Russia’s arrangement runs until **31 December 2027**.[1][2] For longer stays, work, study, or non-qualifying travel purposes, a standard visa is still required.[2]Sources
- https://www.fragomen.com/insights/mainland-china-more-nationals-eligible-for-visa-exemption-expanded-rights-under-exemption.html
- https://se.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsyfw/202511/t20251110_11750037.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_mainland_China
- https://embassyinformation.com/visa/cn/
- https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/visas/