Can Dutch citizens visit China visa-free in 2026?

Short answer: Yes, for now. Our policy data lists the Netherlands for unilateral 30-day visa-free entry until 31 December 2026. It also lists the Netherlands for 240-hour visa-free transit, if you fly on to a third country or region. The facts here come from our policy data, last verified 18 October 2026.

For the full Dutch page, see visa-free China for the Netherlands. To check your own passport, use the visa-free checker.

Before you start

• A valid ordinary Dutch passport, valid for at least the duration of your intended stay. The 30-day visa waiver covers business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchanges, and transit. It does not cover work, study, or news coverage. Source: Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles.
• Your travel dates. The 30-day rule in our data runs until 2026-12-31. If you travel later, check before you go.
• For the 240-hour transit instead: you must hold a valid international travel document with at least three months’ validity, plus an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and a departure date within 240 hours, to a third country or region.
• Flexible bookings. Choose changeable or refundable flights and hotels where you can.

Your two visa-free options

Route	Days	Condition	End date in our data
Unilateral visa-free entry	30 days	Netherlands is on the list	31 December 2026
Transit visa-free	240 hours (10 days)	Fly on to a third country or region	No end date

A unilateral rule is China’s own decision. It is not a treaty with the Netherlands. China can extend or end it, so check the official notice before you book.

Which one fits your trip?

1. Tourism, business, visiting family, a short stay in China: the 30-day entry is the simpler route.
2. Passing through China to another country: the 240-hour transit may fit. You must hold a valid international travel document with at least three months’ validity, plus an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and a departure date within 240 hours, to a third country or region. The ticket can’t take you back to where you started.

Transit: ports and areas

If you use the 240-hour transit, you must enter through one of the designated ports and stay within the permitted areas. The list of ports and areas is on the official NIA page: NIA. Check it before you book hotels in several cities.

Details on transit: 240-hour transit guide. More on entry: visa-free entry guide.

Step by step

1. Check your dates. Is your whole trip before 31 December 2026? If not, check the official notice before you go.
2. Check your passport against the official conditions: NIA.
3. Book flights and hotels you can change.
4. Fill in the online arrival card before you fly, if you can. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) offers advance online completion. Use the official page at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC, the “NIA 12367” app, or the NIA’s WeChat and Alipay mini programs. The mini programs are named “NIA 12367”. In the Chinese App Store the app is listed as 移民局12367 (iPhone). On Android, use the QR code on the NIA’s official pages, as we found no Google Play listing. Beware of copycat sites that charge a fee. If you haven’t done it, you can still use a QR code or a smart device at the port, or fill out a paper Arrival Card. That is slower. Source: Chinese Embassy in the US.
   • Exemption: passengers in 24-hour direct transit who stay within the port’s designated area do not need to fill in the Arrival Card. Source: Chinese Embassy in the US.
5. Carry proof of your onward or return ticket and your hotel booking, on your phone and printed. Official rules don’t list these documents for every visa-free entry. Still, guides commonly advise carrying them, and border officers may ask about your purpose of visit.

If it doesn’t work

Problem	Why	Fix
Your trip goes past 31 December 2026	The 30-day rule in our data ends on that date	Check the official notice. Ask the airline or consulate before booking
You want to stay longer than 30 days	Visa-free is limited to 30 days	Look at the visa application route
You are working, studying or working as a journalist	Visa-free is not meant for these	Get the right visa in advance
Onward ticket goes back to where you started	Transit needs a third country or region	Change the ticket or use the 30-day entry
Onward ticket has no confirmed seat or date	Transit needs a confirmed seat and a departure within 240 hours	Get a confirmed ticket before you fly
Your port or route isn’t allowed for transit	Transit needs a designated port and permitted areas	Check the NIA page and change your plan

FAQ

Do Dutch citizens need a visa for China in 2026?

Not for a short trip within the rules above. Our data lists the Netherlands for 30-day visa-free entry until 2026-12-31 and for 240-hour transit.

Is the 30-day rule permanent?

No. Our data shows an end date of 2026-12-31. Check the official announcement before you book anything later.

Can I use the 240-hour transit and stay 10 days?

Yes, if you meet the official conditions. You must hold a valid international travel document with at least three months’ validity, plus an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and a departure date within 240 hours, to a third country or region. You must also enter through a designated port and stay within the permitted areas. Source: NIA.

Do I need the arrival card if I’m only changing planes?

Not if you are in 24-hour direct transit and stay within the port’s designated area. Source: Chinese Embassy in the US.

Who do I call with questions?

The China Immigration Service Hotline is 12367.

Still stuck?

Do it yourself with the steps above — or get help from a real person.

Sources: policy data last verified 18 October 2026 (NIA, China Briefing, Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles). Passport and purpose conditions: Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. Transit conditions: NIA. Online arrival card and transit exemption: Chinese Embassy in the US.