Visa and Stay Rules by Country/Region
Last updated: 2026-09-03
The visa stay limits of different countries/regions vary greatly. Common calibers include:fixed period system(such as this tool),rolling window, natural year, per-entry counting, etc. The following table is an overview of common rules. Please be sure to refer to the official announcement of the destination country before traveling.
| Country/Region | Common visa/visa exemption rules | Calculation Caliber |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen Area (29 countries) | Cumulative stay ≤ 90 days per 180 days | Rolling window |
| UK (standard visitor) | Cumulative stay ≤ 6 months in every 12 months | Rolling 12 months |
| United States (B1/B2) | Determined by officials upon entry, usually ≤ 6 months at a time | Case-by-case |
| Canada (TRV) | Usually ≤ 6 months each time (verified at the time of entry) | Case-by-case |
| Japan (visa-free/visa) | Usually a single period is ≤ 90 days, and there is an upper limit for annual accumulation. | Per-entry + annual cap |
| South Korea (visa-free) | Usually ≤ 90 days per visit | Per-entry |
| Thailand (visa-free) | Single stay 30~60 days (depending on passport) | Per-entry |
| Malaysia (visa-free) | Single stay of 30 days | Per-entry |
| Singapore (visa-free) | Single stay 30~90 days (depending on passport) | Per-entry |
| Australia (600 visitors) | Usually ≤ 3 months each time (can be approved for 6/12 months) | Case-by-case |
| New Zealand (visitor) | Usually ≤ 3 months each time (cumulative ≤ 6 months within 18 months) | Rolling 18 months |
The above table is an overview of common standards. The specific limit, validity period and number of entries are always subject to the official announcement of the destination country (embassy, consulate, immigration bureau).
How to Understand the Four Calculation Calibers
For the same question of "how long can you stay", different countries use different calibers, and the same itinerary will produce different results under different calibers:
- Fixed-period system: the date of first entry is the starting point, and time is divided into consecutive fixed intervals (e.g., a new period every 180 days). Each cycle is counted independently and the allowance resets automatically. This tool uses this caliber.
- Rolling window: any day can be the end point; look back a fixed number of days (e.g., 180) to form the judgment window. The window slides day by day, and old stay days gradually "slide out" and release quota as the window moves. Schengen's 90/180 works this way.
- Calendar year/annual limit: The cumulative stay limit is calculated based on the natural year (January 1st - December 31st) or "12 months from the first entry".
- Per-entry: The number of days of stay (30 days, 60 days, 90 days, etc.) is determined separately for each entry and is recalculated after departure. There is no periodic accumulation, or only a very loose annual accumulation.
Before choosing a calculation tool, first confirm what caliber your visa/visa exemption policy falls under. Depending on the caliber, the results may vary greatly, and there may even be situations where "this tool says it is compliant, but it is actually expired."
The Caliber This Tool Uses
This calculator uses the fixed-period system:
- Every 180-day period (counted from the first entry date): cumulative stay ≤ 90 days
- Every 365-day period (counted from the first entry date): cumulative stay ≤ 180 days
- The quota is automatically reset at the end of the cycle
The fixed-period system is common in some long-term visas, residence documents, or countries/regions that manage visas in stages based on their validity period. If your visa document (or the rule description found on the official website of the Immigration Bureau) says "from the date of first entry as the starting point, no more than 90 days in every 180 days", it is consistent with the caliber of this tool.
If you hold a visa that uses a rolling window or calendar year (such as the Schengen 90/180 rolling window), the calculation results may be different from this tool. Please confirm the difference in caliber on the "Rule Description" page.
How to Judge the Caliber of Your Own Rules
- See the visa page/approval letter: Some visas directly state "no more than 90 days within 180 days" or "30 days per entry".
- Check the original text of the Immigration Bureau official website: Search the destination country’s immigration official website for stay period instructions. For example, for Schengen rules, see the European Commission/Schengen Visa Information Network.
- See the visa exemption announcement: For countries with unilateral/mutual visa exemption for Chinese ordinary passports, the original text of the official visa exemption policy shall prevail.
- Preliminary judgment based on the above table, and then confirm it a second time with the official original text.
Usage Suggestions
- First confirm the exact rules of your visa/visa exemption policy (official source).
- If your caliber matches this tool (fixed-period system), you can enter your itinerary directly.
- If your caliber differs (such as the Schengen rolling window), refer to this site's Rule Description to convert manually, or consult the embassy or consulate.
👉 Back to Visa length of stay calculator, or view FAQ.