- China has published a list of 50 countries whose citizens are eligible for unilateral visa-free entry into mainland China under its short-stay exemption policy
- Eligible ordinary passport holders can stay for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange visits or transit
- The list includes countries from Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania, but no African country is included in the published list
China has updated its list of countries whose citizens can enter mainland China without obtaining a visa in advance for eligible short-term visits.

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The policy, administered by China's National Immigration Administration in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, forms part of the country's efforts to facilitate international travel, tourism and business exchanges.
Under the guidelines, eligible travelers holding ordinary passports can enter mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa, provided their visit falls within one of the permitted categories.
The published list includes 50 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania.
The eligible countries are:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saudi Arabia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Uruguay
- Republic of Korea (South Korea)
The list includes 35 European countries, alongside eligible nations from Asia, the Americas and Oceania.
No African country appears among the 50 countries listed in the announcement.
What travelers can do during their visa-free stay
Eligible ordinary passport holders may enter mainland China without a visa for the following purposes:
- Tourism: Visiting attractions and travelling for leisure.
- Business: Attending eligible business activities.
- Family visits: Visiting relatives.
- Exchange visits: Participating in qualifying exchange activities.
- Transit: Passing through China as part of a journey.
Travelers should ensure that their intended activities fall within the categories covered by the exemption.
How the 30-day stay is calculated
China's National Immigration Administration states that the permitted stay is calculated from 00:00 (midnight) on the day following the traveler's date of entry.
This calculation is important for visitors planning their departure dates, as the permitted period does not begin at the precise time they cross the border.
The exemption applies to eligible ordinary passport holders and qualifying short-term visits. Travelers should check the latest official Chinese immigration guidance before departure to confirm that their nationality, travel purpose and intended length of stay meet the current requirements.
Source: Legit.ng
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