Visa-Free Golf: China Opens Doors for Travellers

Welcome to China! To help make your journey smoother, here’s a quick guide to the latest visa-free entry policies and key entry procedures. As of 2026, China offers a 30-day unilateral visa-free policy for holders of ordinary passports from several countries, covering tourism, business, family visits, and exchanges.

Who Can Enter Visa-Free?

As of February 2026, ordinary passport holders from the following countries can enter China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days:

• Europe (35 countries): France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom.

• The Americas (6 countries): Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada.

• Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand.

• Asia (7 countries): Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain.

Note: Visa-free policies for some countries—such as the UK, Canada, and Russia—are subject to validity periods. Please check the latest announcements from Chinese embassies or consulates before traveling.

Mandatory Pre-Arrival Step: Online Entry Card

To speed up your entry process, China’s National Immigration Administration now offers a digital Arrival Card. You can complete it online before arrival—no need to fill out a paper version at the airport. The service is completely free.

• Official website: https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/ (National Immigration Administration service platform)

• Mobile app: Use the “移民局12367” (NIA 12367) app

• Mini programs: Search for the Arrival Card feature on WeChat or Alipay

Important: This service is free of charge. Only use the official channels listed above to avoid phishing or scams.

Important Reminders

To ensure a smooth entry, please keep the following in mind:

• Length of stay: Your visa-free stay is counted from 00:00 the day after arrival. Do not overstay.

• Electronic devices and luggage: Check that your phone, laptop, and other devices do not contain prohibited content. Avoid carrying restricted items such as certain traditional medicines (e.g., those containing ephedrine or codeine), undeclared cash amounts exceeding the limit, or unquarantined meat products.

• Consistent purpose of entry: Make sure your stated purpose of travel (tourism, business, etc.) matches the information you provide. You may be asked about it during immigration clearance.

We wish you a pleasant journey and a wonderful stay in China!