China travel answer · Entry
Do I need a visa to visit China?
Updated 2026-09-14 · Conditions and policies can change
Applies to
International visitors checking entry eligibility, transit rules or travel documents.
Editorial status
Published and under review
Last checked 2026-09-14; corrections are applied without unpublishing useful guidance.
Direct answer
It depends on your passport, trip length and exact route. You may need an L tourist visa, qualify for a nationality-based exemption, or meet every condition of China's 240-hour visa-free transit program.
Before you act on this answer
- ✓Confirm the rule for the passport you will actually use.
- ✓Recheck the complete route before paying for nonrefundable travel.
What to know
- ●Check the rule for the passport you will travel on.
- ●For transit, verify the arrival port, onward destination and permitted travel area together.
- ●Confirm again shortly before departure because entry policies can change.
Primary sources to verify
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