China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy Ultimate Guide
Important news - On December 17, 2024, the National Immigration Administration of China announced an extension of the transit visa exemption stay for foreign nationals. The stay period has been extended from the original 72 or 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). The policy also expands the number of eligible ports of entry, increasing from 39 to 60, and broadens the regions where travelers can stay, from 19 provinces to 24.
If you're planning to visit China as part of a multi-country trip, the newly updated 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows you to stay in China for up to 10 days without needing a visa. Here's a guide on how to plan your trip to make the most of this exciting opportunity.
What is China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy? - Citizens of 55 countries who hold an ordinary passport with at least 3 months of validity and an onward flight, train, or cruise ticket to a third country (or region) within 240 hours can transit in designated areas of 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China's Mainland for up to 240 hours without a visa.
1. Check Eligibility - nationals from 55 countries eligible
The 240-hour visa-free stay applies to nationals from 55 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, and more. Confirm that your nationality is on the list of eligible countries.
2. Choose Your Ports of Entry - 60 ports
There are now 60 open ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free policy across 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi'an. You can enter China via any of these ports without a visa, as long as you meet the requirements. Confirm that your entry/exit ports are on the list of eligible ports.
3. Onward Ticket to a Third Country or Region
You must provide proof of a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, with a departure date within 240 hours. All countries and regions outside China's Mainland are considered third-party countries or regions, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and others. Three eligible itinerary examples:
Los Angeles – Beijing – Shanghai – Hong Kong
Toronto – Tokyo – Shanghai – Bangkok
London – Hong Kong – Guilin – Chengdu - Singapore
4. Plan Your Stay Within the 240-Hour Window
The 240-hour period starts at 00:00 (GMT+8) on the second day after your entry. For example, if you arrive in China at 13:00 on April 20, 2025, your 240-hour period will begin at 00:00 on April 21, 2025. Once you arrive, you can stay in China for up to 240 hours (10 days), during which you can engage in tourism, business, visiting family or friends, or other activities.
5. Cross-Provincial Travel Is Allowed
With the new policy, you are allowed to travel across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities within the permitted stay areas. For example, you could fly into Beijing and then visit cities like Xi'an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, as long as your total stay does not exceed the 240-hour limit. Confirm that your destinations to visit are on the list of eligible provinces & cities.
Popular China itineraries within 10 days
Beijing / Xian / Shanghai (8 days)
Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Shanghai (10 days)
Chengdu / Xian / Beijing (9 days)
6. How to Apply
You can apply for the visa-free transit at the border inspection office at any of the 60 eligible ports of entry. When you arrive, show your valid passport with at least 3 months of validity, and your onward flight ticket to a third destination. The border authorities will process your temporary entry, and your visa-free stay will be activated, starting the day after your entry. Read the detailed steps of application.
Currently citizens with valid passports of below countries can apply for China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit:
① European Schengen Visa Agreement Countries:
Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
② Other European Countries:
Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco and Belarus.
③ American Countries:
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Republic of Chile.
④ Oceania Countries:
Australia and New Zealand.
⑤ Asian Countries:
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Nationals from 55 eligible countries can enter and exit China from any port of below 60 airports, cruise ports and railway stations, and visit majority of destinations and attractions in below 24 provices and cities without a tourist visa.
| Province & City | Available Port | Permitted Visa-free Stay Area |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport / Beijing Daxing International Airport | Beijing |
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport / Tianjin Port (Cruise) | Tianjin |
| Hebei Province | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport Qinghuangdao Port (Cruise) | Hebei Province |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Pudong International Airport / Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport / Shanghai Port (Cruise) | Shanghai |
| Jiangsu Province | Nanjing Lukou International Airport/ Wuxi Sunan Shuofang International Airport/ Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport/ Lianyungang Port (Cruise) | Jiangsu Province |
| Zhejiang Province | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport/ Ningbo Lishe International Airport/ Wenzhou Longwan International Airport/ Jinhua Yiwu International Airport/ Wenzhou Port (Cruise) Zhoushang Port (Cruise) | Zhejiang Province |
| Guangdong Province | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport/ Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport/ Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport/ Nansha Port/ Shekou Port | Guangdong Province (Travelers can exit from all open ports of entry in the entire province.) |
| Sichuan Province | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport/ Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | 11 cities in Sichuan Province ( Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya'an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, Yibin) |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing City |
| Yunnan Province | Kunming Changshui International Airport/ Lijiang Sanyi International Airport/ Mohan Railway Port | Kunming, Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu'er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, Wenshan |
| Guizhou Province | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport | Guizhou Province |
| Hunan Province | Changsha Huanghua International Airport/ Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport | Hunan Province |
| Anhui Province | Heifei Xinqiao International Airport/ Huangshan Tunxi International Airport | Anhui Province |
| Fujian Province | Fuzhou Changle International Airport/ Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport/ Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport/ Nanping Wuyishan International Airport/ Xiamen Port (Cruise) | Fujian Province |
| Jiangxi Province | Nanchang Changbei International Airport | Nanchang, Jingdezhen |
| Hubei Province | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Hubei Province |
| Shandong Province | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport/ Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport/ Yantai Penglai International Airport/ Weihai Dashuipo International Airport/ Qingdao Port (Cruise) | Shandong Province |
| Henan Province | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport | Henan Province |
| Shaanxi Province | Xian Xianyang International Airport | Shaanxi Province |
| Shanxi Province | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport | Taiyuan, Datong |
| Heilongjiang Province | Harbin Taiping International Airport | Harbin |
| Liaoning Province | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport/ Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport / Dalian Port (Cruise) | Liaoning Province |
| Guangxi Province | Nanning Wuxu International Airport/ Guilin Liangjiang International Airport/ Beihai Fucheng International Airport Beihai Port (Cruise) | Nanning, Guilin, Beihai, Qinzhou, Yulin, Hechi, Liuzhou, Wuzhou, Fangchenggang, Guigang, Hezhou, Laibin |
| Hainan Province | Haikou Meilan International Airport/ Sanya Fenghuang International Airport | Hainan Province |
>> Required Documents
● A Valid Passport (or international travel document): it must be issued by one of the 55 countries listed above, valid for at least 3 months and with valid visa to the third country/regions if requires.
● A Connecting Air (or vessel, train) Ticket : it must be valid, going to the onward country/region with detailed date & seat within 240 hours.
Some eligible transit routes examples:
HK - China's Mainland - Macao
HK - China's Mainland - Taipei
US - Tokyo - Shanghai - Seoul
UK - Beijing - Xian - Shanghai - HK - UK
Singapore - Chengdu - Chongqing - Guilin - Hong Kong
Laos - Mohan Railway Port - Kunming - Lijiang - Thailand
...
● A completed Arrival Card : you can get the card in the airport after landing, and then submit at the immigration counter.
>> Application Procedures
Step 1: When boarding on (a airplane, ship, train), you should notify the carrier that you would apply for the 240-Hour Visa-free Transit. They will declare your request to the immigration office prior to your visit.
Step 2: Upon arrival, follow the signs, go to customs area, fill in the Arrival Card, and submit application of transit visa exemption at the specialized counter/channel. It's easy to locate the related immigration department in the airport.
Step 3: If you have a valid Chinese Visa, and don't want to use it this time, you should tell the immigration officer you will enter and transit by applying the 240-Hour Visa-free Transit this entry.
Step 4: If approved, your valid passport will be pasted a short-term stay permit (a paster) by the officer. There has clear regulation of the issuing date and allowed duration of stay.
Step 5: After leaving airport, you must register yourself within 24 hours upon arrival at the local police station or Public Security Bureau (PSB). If you will stay in hotel, the hotel staff will do the registration for you. (Your application will be refused if you had violation of accommodation registration and caused serious cases in China within 2 year.)
Step 6: You're required to apply for a Chinese Visa from the local PSB, if you intend to travel other cities or stay longer than 240 hours. Otherwise, your illegal stay will face fines and other serious consequences.
With 10 days of visa-free stay, convenient flights, high-speed trains, and an extensive highway network, you can explore many travel destinations in China and experience its rich history and culture. If it's your first time visiting China, it's recommended to start with the classic route of Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. You can also freely combine your itinerary to visit the hometown of giant pandas, Chengdu, the Avatar-like landscapes of Zhangjiajie, the stunning karst scenery in Guilin, or the breathtaking beauty of Huangshan. Additionally, you can indulge in a luxurious and comfortable Yangtze River cruise.
Most Recommended China Tours for 240-Hour Visa Free:
8 Days Best of China Tour (Flight/Bullet Train Covered)
Itinerary: Beijing / Xian / Shanghai
Highlights: Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Terracotta Warriors & Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Tianzifang, Jade Buddha Temple
6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High-speed Train Tour (Most Valuable)
Itinerary: Beijing / Xian
Highlights: Landmark Attractions, Leisure Pace, Bullet Train Beijing to Xian
10 Days China History & Landscape Tour
Itinerary: Hong Kong / Guilin / Xian / Beijing
Highlights: Guilin Li River Cruise, Yangshuo, Terracotta Warriors, Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall
9 Days Pandas Terracotta Warriors Great Wall Encounter by High Speed Trains
Itinerary: Chengdu / Leshan / Emeishan / Xian / Beijing
Highlights: Panda, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Bullet Train, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, Great Wall
9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train
Itinerary: Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan
Highlights: The Bund, Lingering Garden, Suzhou Silk Museum, Zhouzhuang Water Town, West Lake, Yellow Mountain, Hongcun and Xidi Ancient Villages
If you prefer, you can also choose our customized travel services. As a leading China travel agency, we have managed to help more than ten thousands of guests travel in China successfully with our tailor-made China tours Since our establishment in 2022.
Other China Visa Free Policies
30 Days Visa Free - Countries Mutual Exemption of Visa with China
Citizens of below countries holding a valid ordinary passport are exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit, or transit in the territory of the other contracting party, with a single stay not exceeding 30 days (or 60 days, 90 days varying by countries) and a cumulative stay not exceeding 90 days within 180 days.
Eligible countries include Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei, Malaysia, Uzbekistan; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.
30 Days China Visa Free - Eligible Countries
China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for 36 eligible countries, including several European nations — Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Russia. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, South Korea and Japan are included. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay in Latin America are also eligible.
Ordinary passport holders of the above-mentioned countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 30 days.
