China's Consular Service Center has published an official FAQ on the unilateral visa-free policy. The key points, condensed:
Who qualifies. Holders of ordinary passports from 50 countries — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia, Canada and the UK (full list at source) — may enter without a visa for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange, or transit, for up to 30 days.
Validity window. Brunei: no expiry date. Russia: in effect until December 31, 2027. The other 48 countries: until December 31, 2026.
Practical rules worth knowing.
- Minors follow the same rules as adults; tour groups and individual travelers are treated equally.
- Sports events, conferences and study camps (summer/winter) within 30 days are covered — a valid ordinary passport is required; travel documents and emergency passports are not.
- You may depart from any third country, enter via any open sea/land/air port, and use the waiver multiple times — no cap on entries or total days, as long as activities match the declared purpose.
- The 30-day stay is counted from the day after entry. Longer stays need a visa in advance, or a stay permit from public security authorities if a legitimate reason arises after entry.
- Carry supporting documents (invitation letter, flight and hotel bookings) matching your purpose. Work, study and journalism are not covered.
Source: "单方面免签政策常见问题解答 FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China", Consular Service Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, July 21, 2026. Condensed from the bilingual original; the linked official page prevails in case of any discrepancy.