China has published a list of 55 countries whose citizens are eligible for a 240-hour visa-free transit policy, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 10 days without a pre-arranged visa. The policy, unveiled in May 2026, is part of China's efforts to make travel to the country easier for international visitors. The list of eligible countries includes nations from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.
The 55 countries eligible for the policy include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.
Notably, no African country is included in the list of eligible nations, meaning citizens of countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt must still apply for a standard Chinese visa through their nearest embassy or consulate before departure. This exclusion is likely to draw attention given wider conversations across the continent about visa access and passport mobility.
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy is a significant concession from China, offering a generous window for travellers to transit through the country. In comparison, other major countries typically offer much shorter transit exemptions. The policy is expected to boost tourism and business travel to China from eligible countries.
For African travellers, the ten-day transit window that nationals of 55 other countries can now enjoy remains out of reach entirely, regardless of their destination or travel purpose. This disparity highlights the differences in visa policies and travel access between African countries and other regions.
The exclusion of African countries from China's visa-free transit policy may be seen as a missed opportunity for China to strengthen its ties with the continent. China has been actively engaging with African countries in recent years, investing in infrastructure and trade projects. The visa policy may be seen as a reflection of the complexities of China's relationships with different regions.
The policy's impact on travel and tourism between China and Africa remains to be seen. As the policy takes effect, travellers from eligible countries will be able to take advantage of the visa-free transit, while African nationals will continue to face the existing visa requirements.
Key points
- No African country is eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
- The policy allows citizens of 55 eligible nations to stay in China for up to 10 days without a pre-arranged visa.
- The exclusion of African countries from the policy may draw attention given wider conversations about visa access and passport mobility.
