The three visa-free tracks

China has three different visa-free tracks. Using the wrong one is a common refusal reason.

Unilateral visa-free: 50 listed countries, ordinary passports, 30 days. No third-country ticket. No area cap. Official NIA list as of 17 February 2026. Stay is counted from 00:00 the day after entry. Not for work, study as a student, or journalism.

Mutual visa-free: bilateral agreements covering ordinary passports. Usually 30 days; many also 90-in-180. No third-country ticket unless the treaty says otherwise.

240-hour transit (TWOV): 55 listed countries transiting to a third country or region, 10 days. Confirmed onward ticket required. Designated areas only.

24-hour airside transit exists for all nationalities if you stay inside the port restricted area.

If you already qualify for 30-day visa-free, those rules prevail — no third-country ticket, no area cap. Country lists, expiry dates, and TWOV ports change often. Recheck NIA/MFA before you fly. Russia’s unilateral policy was listed until 14 September 2026; most other 48 until 31 December 2026. Brunei had no end date stated.