China widens visa-free access — 50 countries, 240-hour transit at 65 ports
Through 2025 and into early 2026 China expanded both visa-free tracks: unilateral visa-free entry now covers 50 countries (valid to 31 Dec 2026), and 240-hour visa-free transit reaches 65 ports across 24 provinces. Xi'an's airport is a 240-hour transit port, so eligible travelers can visit visa-free for up to 10 days.
- Who it affects
- Travellers from the 50 unilateral-waiver countries, or 57 transit-eligible countries heading onward.
- What to do
- Check the list for your passport; carry an onward ticket if transiting; confirm with the NIA before booking.
China kept opening through 2025 and into early 2026, and both visa-free tracks that serve Xi'an grew:
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Unilateral visa-free entry — 50 countries, to 31 Dec 2026. Up to 30 days visa-free for tourism, business or family visits. The list reached 50 in February 2026: the United Kingdom and Canada were added on 17 Feb 2026, Sweden in November 2025, on top of the 45 already covered — most of Europe plus Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, the UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and others. Check whether your passport is on the current list.
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240-hour visa-free transit — 65 ports, 57 countries. Transiting through China to a third country? You can now stay up to 240 hours (10 days) visa-free, entering through any of 65 designated ports across 24 provinces — 21 ports were added in the November 2025 round, and the country list reached 57 on 20 August 2026 when Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan joined.
What this means for Xi'an: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is one of the 240-hour transit ports. If you're eligible and hold an onward ticket to a third country, you can fly into Xi'an visa-free and stay up to 10 days — comfortably the Terracotta Army, the City Wall and a day-trip to Mount Hua. See the 240-hour transit guide for the rules (onward ticket, regional limits) and the visa-entry guide for the unilateral list.
Policy keeps moving — confirm against the National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) before you book.
Related guide
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