China Visa Update — 29 May 2026
visa • 29 May 2026
China’s **2026 visa policy for tourists** has continued to expand, with multiple visa-free and transit options available for many nationalities. According to Trip.com and Australia’s Smartraveller, eligible travelers can use China’s visa-free entry programs, while some routes also qualify for 24-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit depending on nationality, port of entry, and onward travel plans.[1][5] The biggest recent tourism-friendly update is the **temporary visa-free policy for UK ordinary passport holders**, which allows stays of up to **30 days** for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit from **17 February 2026 to 31 December 2026**.[1] Trip.com also notes that China’s **240-hour visa-free transit** has been expanded at several ports, including **Guangzhou Pazhou, Hengqin, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Zhongshan Port, and West Kowloon Station**, with travelers from **55 countries** able to enter visa-free and remain in permitted areas for up to **240 hours** if they meet the ticket and entry requirements.[1] For tourists planning a trip, the practical takeaway is that China now offers several entry pathways beyond the standard visa process, but eligibility still depends on **passport nationality, trip purpose, length of stay, and arrival point**.[1][5] Australia’s Smartraveller also says travelers must complete an **electronic arrival card** before entry or at the point of entry, which is useful to know when planning documentation for 2026 trips.[5]