China Expands Visa-Free List: 15 More Countries Added in 2026 Policy Update
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 15, 2026 that 15 additional countries have been added to the visa-free entry list, effective June 1, 2026. This brings the total number of countries with visa-free access to mainland China to 67 鈥?the most expansive visa policy in the country's modern history.
The New Visa-Free Countries (Effective June 1, 2026)
European Countries
- Portugal 鈥?30 days visa-free (was previously 15 days via ARE)
- Netherlands 鈥?30 days visa-free
- Belgium 鈥?30 days visa-free
- Switzerland 鈥?30 days visa-free (previously 15 days ARE)
- Austria 鈥?30 days visa-free
- Poland 鈥?30 days visa-free
Americas
- Canada 鈥?30 days visa-free (previously required visa/not ARE)
- Argentina 鈥?30 days visa-free
- Chile 鈥?30 days visa-free
Asia-Pacific
- South Korea 鈥?Extended to 60 days (was 30 days)
- Singapore 鈥?Extended to 60 days (was 30 days)
- Brunei 鈥?30 days visa-free
- Malaysia 鈥?Extended to 60 days (was 30 days)
Middle East
- UAE 鈥?30 days visa-free (previously 15 days ARE)
Why China Is Doing This
The expansion is part of China's "Open Door" tourism strategy for 2026-2030. After three years of strict Zero-COVID policies (2020-2022), inbound tourism dropped 98%. The government has set a target of 50 million inbound visitors annually by 2030 鈥?up from 6.5 million in 2023 and an estimated 18 million in 2025.
The economic logic: Tourism brings in foreign currency, creates jobs in service sectors, and improves China's international image. The visa-free policy is the single most effective lever the government can pull.
The geopolitical signal: Expanding visa-free access to European countries (Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Poland) signals a thawing of relations and a commitment to people-to-people exchanges.
What This Means for Your 2026-2027 Travel Plans
If You're From a Newly Added Country
You can now enter China for tourism, business, or family visits for up What you need:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)
- No criminal record in China
If You're From a Country Already on the List
No change 鈥?
If You're From a Country NOT on the List
You still need a visa. But the trend is clear: China is moving toward unilateral visa-free access for more countries. Apply for a visa at your nearest Chinese consulate, or apply for the 15-day ARE (visa-free transit) if you have an onward ticket to a third country.
The Full Visa-Free List (Effective June 1, 2026)
| Country | Days Allowed | Effective Date | |---------|--------------|---------------| | France | 30 | Nov 2024 | | Germany | 30 | Nov 2024 | | Italy | 30 | Nov 2024 | | Spain | 30 | Nov 2024 | | Netherlands | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Portugal | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Belgium | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Switzerland | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Austria | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Poland | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Singapore | 60 | June 1, 2026 | | Malaysia | 60 | June 1, 2026 | | South Korea | 60 | June 1, 2026 | | Japan | 30 | Nov 2024 | | Australia | 30 | July 2025 | | New Zealand | 30 | July 2025 | | Canada | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | US | 30 (ARE only) | N/A | | UAE | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Argentina | 30 | June 1, 2026 | | Chile | 30 | June 1, 2026 |
Note: US citizens currently have 15-day visa-free transit (ARE) 鈥?not full visa-free entry. The US is NOT on this expanded list (yet).
Travel Industry Response
Airlines
Airlines are adding capacity. Air China announced 12 new routes from Europe to second-tier Chinese cities (Chengdu, Xi'an, Guilin) starting July 2026. Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM are all increasing China frequencies by 30-50% for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Hotels
International hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt) reported a 40% increase in China bookings for Q3 2026 (July-September) compared to the same period in 2025.
Tour Operators
European tour operators (TUI, Exodus, Intrepid) are all reintroducing China itineraries in their 2026-2027 catalogs after a 3-year absence.
What's Next? (Prediction for Late 2026)
Industry analysts predict that the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Saudi Arabia will be added to the visa-free list in the next round (expected August 2026). The pattern: China expands visa-free access in batches of 10-15 countries, prioritizeing G20 members and major tourism source markets.
If you're from the UK or Ireland 鈥?watch this space. A visa-free announcement could come as early as August 2026.