Is India on China’s Visa-Free List? Xi Jinping Grants Visa-Free Entry to 79 Countries

Last Updated on February 18, 2026 by Yash Saini

The East Asian country, China, has extended its bold visa-free entry to 79 countries, effective from February 17, 2026. Citizens of countries like the UK, Canada, and others are now allowed to visit the country without a visa, bringing a remarkable opportunity for travelers. More importantly, it will boost tourism and business in the country, but the question is: Is India included? Let’s discuss. 

Xi Jinping Grants Visa-Free Entry to 79 Countries

According to The Hindu and other sources, Xi Jinping has officially granted permission to 79 countries to visit China visa-free. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, confirmed the news, stating that “Starting from the 2026 Spring Festival, visitors from 50 countries can enjoy visa-free access to China. 

Notably, the 50 mentioned in her tweet is for China’s “Unilateral Visa-Exemption” trial list.

Key Details of Visa-Free Entry Policy

The 30-day visa-free entry is introduced on a trial basis, starting on February 17, 2026, and ending on December 31, 2026. Visitors for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, cultural exchanges, and transit, during this time, can stay up to 30 days, and this only applies exclusively to holders of ordinary passports.

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Reportedly, the eligibility of this programme has been expanded significantly in the last two years. The UK and Canada are among the newest additions to the list.

Is India on China’s Visa-Free List?

Reportedly, India is not on China’s visa-free list. Along with that, Pakistan and many other countries have not been included. 

Since China is continuously expanding the list, it may happen in the future, but for now, Indian ordinary passport holders will require a visa to enter mainland China. 

Experts suggest that the included countries are the ones with which China is trying to repair diplomatic ties, especially the UK and Canada. However, with India, there is long-term border tension and reciprocal visa complexities, so a visa-free agreement may not happen for Indians anytime soon.

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Who’s on China’s Visa-Free List?

As mentioned above, 79 countries are on China’s visa-free list, including most European countries and other selected regions, such as Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Here’s the reported list (per Windhorse Tour and Wise): – 

1. Hungary
2. France
3. Brunei
4. Germany
5. New Zealand
6. Belgium
7. Spain
8. Argentina
9. Italy
10. Netherlands
11. Austria
12. Ireland
13. Poland
14. Luxembourg
15. Switzerland
16. Greece
17. Australia
18. Cyprus
19. Bulgaria
20. Portugal
21. South Korea
22. Slovakia
23. Norway
24. Slovenia
25. Finland
26. Inceland
27. Denmark
28. Andorra
29. Romania
30. Liechtenstein
31. Monaco
32. Montenegro
33. Croatia
34. Malta
35. North Macedonia
36. Latvia
37. Oman
38. Saudi Arabia
39. Japan
40. Estonia
41. Russia (Until September 14, 2026)
42. Chile
43. Peru
44. Brazil
45. Uruguay
46. Kuwait
47. Bahrain
48. Sweden
49. Britain
50. Canada
51. San Marino
52. Bosnia
53. Herzegovina
54. Kazakhstan
55. Thailand
56. Uzbekistan
57. Singapore
58. Mongolia
59. Malaysia
60. Azerbaijan
61. Georgia
62. Oman
63. Qatar
64. United Arab Emirates
65. Fiji
66. Samoa
67. Solomon Islands
68. Tonga
69. Mauritius
70. Seychelles
71. Iceland 
72. Serbia
73. Armenia
74. Suriname
75. Grenada
76. Ecuador
77. Dominica
78. Barbados
79. Antigua and Barbuda

Note that the citizens of a few other countries, like the United States and Indonesia, can enter mainland China for 10 days if they are in transit. The traveler must have a ticket departing for a different country than the one from which they arrived to be eligible for this programme.