Live · verified 2026-11-09
China visa-free entry: who can visit Shanghai without a visa
Waibaidu Bridge over Suzhou Creek, Shanghai · Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last verified by Shanghai Private Tours team, from the official Chinese Embassy and Consulate pages listed below.
| Place | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (ordinary passport) 英国 | Visa-freeVisa-free | Up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit. In force 17 Feb 2026 to 31 Dec 2026. |
| Canada (ordinary passport) 加拿大 | Visa-freeVisa-free | Same notice and dates as the UK: up to 30 days, 17 Feb 2026 to 31 Dec 2026. |
| Australia and New Zealand 澳大利亚 · 新西兰 | Visa-freeVisa-free | Listed in the consulate FAQ with a stay of 30 days. The FAQ gives 31 Dec 2026 as the date the arrangement remains in effect. |
| France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and other listed European countries | Visa-freeVisa-free | Listed in the consulate FAQ, 30 days, in effect until 31 Dec 2026. Check the FAQ for the full list. |
| Japan and South Korea 日本 · 韩国 | Visa-freeVisa-free | Listed in the consulate FAQ, 30 days, in effect until 31 Dec 2026. |
| United States 美国 | Not coveredNot covered | Not on the consulate FAQ’s list of 50 countries for 30-day entry. The US is on the NIA 240-hour transit list, which needs an onward ticket to a third country; otherwise a visa is needed (US$140 at New York and Chicago consulates). |
| Russia 俄罗斯 | Not confirmedNot confirmed | The FAQ gave 14 Sep 2026 as the date it remains in effect. That date has passed and the sources read do not say whether it was extended. |
Good to know
- The stay is counted as 30 calendar days from the day after entry. Work, study and news reporting are excluded, according to the consulate FAQ.
- The UK and Canada notice runs to 24:00 Beijing time on 31 December 2026. If your trip is later, check the Chinese Embassy site for an extension before you book, because the sources we read do not announce one.
- This page reports official notices. It is not immigration advice. Confirm your own situation with the Chinese Embassy or consulate for your passport.
Sources
- Chinese Embassy in the UK: Notice on China’s Visa Waiver Policy for the UK and Canada (15 Feb 2026)
- Chinese Consulate General in Chicago: FAQ on visa-free entry into China (page dated 6 May 2026)
Rules can change at short notice. Confirm with the Chinese Embassy or consulate for your passport before you book.
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