Getting into China has never been easier, and 2026 brought the biggest change yet: the United Kingdom and Canada joined China's 30-day visa-free list on 17 February 2026. Around 50 countries can now enter China without any visa at all, another 26 have permanent mutual agreements, and citizens of 55 countries (including the United States) can use the 240-hour visa-free transit route. Here is the current picture, country by country, and what it means if you're coming to train.
Most of our students no longer need a visa for short stays
If you hold a passport from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, or most of Europe, you can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, which comfortably covers a 12-day retreat or a short training stay. US citizens still need a visa for most trips. The 30-day policy currently runs to 31 December 2026.
The 30-day visa-free list (to 31 December 2026)
China's unilateral visa-free policy lets ordinary passport holders from around 50 countries enter for up to 30 days, covering tourism, business, family and friend visits, cultural exchange, and transit. No application, no fee, no paperwork: you book a flight and go. The policy has been repeatedly extended and currently runs to 31 December 2026.
| Region | Countries on the 30-day list |
|---|---|
| Western Europe | United Kingdom (added 17 Feb 2026), Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, plus Andorra, Monaco and Liechtenstein |
| Northern Europe | Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland |
| Central & Eastern Europe | Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Greece, Cyprus, Malta |
| Asia Pacific | Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brunei |
| Americas | Canada (added 17 Feb 2026), Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain |
A few notes: the list above covers the countries most of our students hold passports from, and it changes as China adds new nationalities (Sweden, the UK and Canada were all added within the last year). Working and long-term study are not covered by visa-free entry. If your country is not listed, check with your nearest Chinese embassy or the official visa centre before assuming either way.
Countries with permanent mutual agreements
Separately from the 30-day pilot, around 26 countries have standing mutual visa-exemption agreements with China that do not expire with the unilateral policy. These include Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, San Marino, the Maldives, Mauritius, Fiji and Ecuador, among others. Permitted stays vary by agreement, typically 30 to 90 days, so check the terms for your specific passport.
The 240-hour transit route (includes the US)
Citizens of 55 countries, including the United States, can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) when transiting to a third country or region. You need a passport valid for 3+ months and a booked onward ticket to somewhere other than the country you arrived from.
Two details matter for Shaolin students: Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) is an eligible entry port, and the permitted stay area is the whole of Henan Province, which includes Dengfeng and the entire Shaolin region. The catch is the third-country requirement: a simple round trip home does not qualify, so this route suits travelers weaving China into a longer Asia itinerary rather than a dedicated training trip.
What this means for training and retreats
- Coming for the 12-day retreat? If you're on the 30-day list (UK, Canada, Australia, most of Europe and more), you can attend the April retreat with no visa at all. Book your flight, bring your passport, done.
- Training for up to a month? The 30-day window covers a full month at a school like Shaolin Tagou. Just make sure your stay fits inside the limit; overstaying is taken seriously.
- Training longer than 30 days? You'll want the proper visa route: a tourist (L) visa for 1 to 2 months or a short-term student (X2) visa for 3 to 6 months. Our visa guide walks through every option, and we provide the acceptance letter your application needs.
- US citizen? For a dedicated training trip, plan on the L visa; it's a straightforward application with our acceptance letter in hand. The 240-hour transit route only works if you're continuing to a third country afterwards, and at 10 days it cannot cover the full 12-day retreat.
Frequently asked questions
Can UK citizens enter China without a visa in 2026?
Yes. Since 17 February 2026, British ordinary passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange and transit. The policy currently runs to 31 December 2026. A 12-day Shaolin retreat or a month of training fits comfortably inside it.
Can US citizens enter China without a visa?
Not for a normal round trip. The US is not on the 30-day visa-free list, but US citizens can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit route when continuing to a third country. For a dedicated training trip, a tourist (L) visa is the standard route, supported by the school acceptance letter we provide.
Does visa-free entry cover Kung Fu training?
Visa-free entry covers tourism, family visits and cultural exchange, which is how short retreat and taster stays are experienced. It does not cover employment or long-term study, so for stays beyond 30 days, or if you want certainty for a dedicated training program, we recommend the proper visa route in our visa guide. We confirm the right route for your passport during pre-departure guidance.
What happens after 31 December 2026?
The 30-day unilateral policy has been extended repeatedly since it began, and China has been steadily widening it (Sweden, the UK and Canada were all added within the last year). Nothing is guaranteed, but the direction of travel has been consistently toward easier entry. We review this page quarterly and update the date at the top.
Which airport should I fly into for the Shaolin area?
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) in Henan Province. It is an eligible port for the 240-hour transit policy, and for visa-free and visa holders alike it is the gateway to Dengfeng. We arrange your taxi transfer from Zhengzhou when you enroll through Shaolin Worldwide.
Plan your trip while the door is open
Entry to China is the easiest it has been in decades, and the current policy is confirmed only to the end of 2026. If training at the source is on your list, this is the year the paperwork got out of your way.
Visa-free for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia and more · $2,500 all-inclusive→ Apply to Shaolin Tagou
A full month of training fits inside the 30-day window→ Read the full visa guide
L and X2 routes for stays longer than 30 days→
Not sure which entry route fits your passport and plans? Get in touch and we'll confirm it for you.
English
German
Hindi
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Leave a comment