Short answer
It depends on the passport. China's unilateral visa-free policy covers 50 countries for up to 30 days, and **the expiry date is not the same for every country**: Brunei has no set expiry, **Russia runs to 31 December 2027**, and the other 48 countries run to 31 December 2026. If your country is not on that list you need a visa, unless your routing qualifies for the 240-hour transit exemption (57 countries, up to 10 days, onward ticket required) or the Hainan 30-day route (61 countries).
The three routes in
- Unilateral visa-free: 50 countries, up to 30 days — Brunei has no set expiry, Russia to 31 December 2027, the other 48 to 31 December 2026
- 240-hour transit: 57 nationalities including Russia, up to 10 days, requires an onward ticket to a third country or region
- Hainan 30-day: 61 nationalities including Russia, up to 30 days, limited to Hainan Province
How to check your own passport
The only authoritative list is the National Immigration Administration at en.nia.gov.cn. Policies change quickly and were extended twice in recent years, so check the current list before booking rather than relying on a forum post.
What does not change
- You need a valid ordinary passport — official guidance says nothing about a six-month minimum, so the passport simply has to be valid for your stay
- Visa-free does not permit work or long-term study
- Hotel check-in registers you automatically; staying with friends requires police registration within 24 hours of arrival, now available online nationwide
Related guides
More questions answered
Official sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Services — FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China: Brunei no expiry, Russia until 31 Dec 2027, the other 48 countries until 31 Dec 2026; valid ordinary passport required (21 Jul 2026) — the current authoritative source
- National Immigration Administration — list of countries covered by unilateral visa exemption policies, 50 countries, up to 30 days (17 Feb 2026)
- National Immigration Administration — 240-hour visa-free transit: 57 countries including Russia, 65 ports in 24 provinces, up to 10 days, onward tickets required (20 Aug 2026, Announcement No. 4 of 2026)
- National Immigration Administration — 30-day visa-free entry for Hainan: 61 countries (20 Aug 2026)
- National Immigration Administration — details of mutual visa exemption agreements; the China–Russia agreement covers group travel documents (15 days), diplomatic and service passports, and seamen's books, not ordinary passports
- Chinese Embassy in the UK — FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China, 16 Feb 2026. Superseded on the Russia date by the MFA page above; it is the source for the passport-validity wording (valid for the intended stay, no six-month rule)
Policies and booking channels change — check the official channel before you rely on it.