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 — the most expansive visa policy in the country's modern history.

The New Visa-Free Countries (Effective June 1, 2026)

European Countries

Portugal — 30 days visa-free (was previously 15 days via ARE)
Netherlands — 30 days visa-free
Belgium — 30 days visa-free
Switzerland — 30 days visa-free (previously 15 days ARE)
Austria — 30 days visa-free
Poland — 30 days visa-free

Americas

Canada — 30 days visa-free (previously required visa/not ARE)
Argentina — 30 days visa-free
Chile — 30 days visa-free

Asia-Pacific

South Korea — Extended to 60 days (was 30 days)
Singapore — Extended to 60 days (was 30 days)
Brunei — 30 days visa-free
Malaysia — Extended to 60 days (was 30 days)

Middle East

UAE — 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 — 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 —

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) — 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 — watch this space. A visa-free announcement could come as early as August 2026.

China Expands Visa-Free List: 15 More Countries Added in 2026 Policy Update — What It Means for Travelers