China Visa Update — 30 April 2026

visa • 30 April 2026

China has extended its unilateral visa-free policy for tourism and other short stays to 45 countries (plus new addition Sweden) through December 31, 2026, allowing up to 30 days per visit for holders of ordinary passports. According to Chengdu Expat, the full list includes nations like Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, South Korea, Spain, and others such as Andorra, Argentina, and Uruguay, with Swedish citizens eligible from November 10, 2025. China Daily reports this has expanded to 50 countries overall, alongside 240-hour transit visa-free for 55 countries, fueling a surge in inbound tourism—Beijing alone saw over 7 million border crossings in 2026 so far, up 13% year-on-year. This policy extension provides American travelers with greater certainty for planning 2026 trips, as visa-free entry is guaranteed until year's end, enabling seamless visits to hotspots like Beijing's Palace Museum and the Great Wall. Global Times notes a 30% year-on-year increase in visa-free foreign entries in Q1 2026, with platforms like Qunar reporting doubled hotel bookings in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen amid the May Day travel frenzy. VisaHQ highlights how this supports aggressive tour pricing and redeployed flights from U.S. hubs to Europe and Australia routes, making China more accessible for multi-destination itineraries. Travelers should confirm eligibility via official channels, as longer stays or specific purposes may still require a visa; the "GO BEIJING" platform offers tailored services for inbound visitors.[3]

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