China Visa Update — 6 September 2026

visa • 6 September 2026

China’s **tourist visa rules in 2026** are more flexible than they were a year ago: many travellers can enter **visa-free for up to 30 days**, while others can use **240-hour visa-free transit** if they are only passing through to a third country. China also extended its temporary **visa-fee reduction** at overseas embassies and consulates until **31 December 2026**.[6][10][2] According to China’s visa application service notice, ordinary passport holders from **Canada** can enter visa-free for up to **30 days** from **17 February 2026** for business or tourism, and similar 30-day exemptions now cover a growing list of countries.[6][1][13] China also expanded its **240-hour visa-free transit** on **20 August 2026** to include **Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam**, bringing the scheme to **57 nationalities** at **65 designated ports**; permitted activities include tourism, business, family visits and exchanges.[2][4] For travellers who are **not** covered by a visa exemption, the standard route for mainland China remains an **L visa** for tourism.[16] If you are planning a trip from Australia, the most practical check is whether your passport qualifies for **30-day visa-free entry** or, if you are transiting onward, whether you meet the **240-hour transit** rules with a confirmed onward ticket.[3][16]

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