This guide is based on the Chinese government, embassy and visa centre pages listed at the end, checked on 2026-10-20. Tables and worksheets are VisaPilot preparation methods, not an official checklist.
Current end dates
| Countries | Current end date |
|---|---|
| 45 countries named in the latest extension notice, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Saudi Arabia | 24:00 (UTC+8), 31 December 2026 |
| Sweden | 31 December 2026 |
| United Kingdom and Canada, added from 17 February 2026 | 31 December 2026 |
| Russia | 31 December 2027 |
| Brunei | No end date set |
The policy covers ordinary passport holders visiting for business, tourism, family or friends, exchange or transit, for up to 30 days. Work, study and news reporting always need a visa. The full country list is on the visa or visa-free guide.
What we know and what we do not
- Known: China has extended the policy before. The latest extension notice, republished by the Brussels visa centre on 26 August 2026, set the end date at 24:00 Beijing time on 31 December 2026.
- Not known as of 20 October 2026: whether it will be extended again, for which countries, and on what terms.
- Not stated in the notices: how a stay that begins in late December and ends in January is treated. If your trip crosses the year end, ask the embassy or the 12367 hotline before booking.
- Separate and unaffected: 240-hour visa-free transit has no stated end date, and bilateral mutual visa exemption agreements run on their own terms.
Your options for a 2027 trip
| Situation | Practical step |
|---|---|
| Trip in January or February 2027, flights already booked | Prepare a visa application in parallel: apply one to two months before travel so you are not relying on an announcement |
| Trip later in 2027 | Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your Chinese embassy page in December for a notice before applying |
| Onward travel to a third country | Check whether 240-hour transit fits your route and nationality |
| Long stay, work or study | You need a visa regardless of the visa-free policy |
A tourist (L) visa usually takes about four working days once the application is complete, but appointment and document preparation can take longer than that. See the documents checklist.
Check your own dates
Use the trip checker with your entry date: it flags trips that run past the current end date for your nationality.
Common questions
Will China extend visa-free entry after December 31 2026?
No extension for 2027 had been announced as of 20 October 2026 in the official sources we checked. China has extended the policy before, so watch the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy pages.
Can I still visit China visa-free in 2027?
Only if your country's arrangement covers that date. Russia runs to 31 December 2027 and Brunei has no end date; for the other countries the current end date is 31 December 2026.
Does the 240-hour transit policy also end in 2026?
No end date is stated for 240-hour visa-free transit. It still requires travel onward to a third country or region with a confirmed ticket and entry through a designated port.
My trip starts in December 2026 and ends in January 2027. Is that covered?
The notices set the policy period but do not say how a stay crossing the end date is treated. Ask the Chinese embassy or the 12367 hotline before booking, or apply for a visa.
Official sources and check dates
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center Brussels: Extension of the unilateral visa-free policy to 31 December 2026 · 2026-10-20
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Remarks on including Canada and the UK in the visa-free program · 2026-10-20
- Embassy of China in Canada: Unilateral visa-free policy (单方面免签) · 2026-10-20
- National Immigration Administration: Visa-free transit policies · 2026-10-20
- Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester: Visa FAQs · 2026-10-20
Official instructions take priority. Requirements differ between embassies, consulates and visa centres, so check the page for the place where you will apply. VisaPilot is an independent document preparation and review service, not affiliated with the Chinese government, embassies or visa centres. This guide does not assess eligibility or predict a decision.
Next step: check your own documents
If your trip is close to the end date, list what you would need for a visa now, then request a free human check.