240-hour Visa Free in China

China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy Ultimate Guide

Exciting News: The National Immigration Administration of China has recently announced a significant update to the transit visa exemption stay for foreign nationals. Effective December 17, 2024, travelers can now enjoy an extended stay period of 240 hours (equivalent to 10 days), as opposed to the previous 72 or 144 hours. Additionally, the policy has been expanded to include a wider range of eligible ports of entry, increasing from 39 to 60, and now covers 24 regions across China, up from 19 provinces.

This new 240-hour visa-free transit policy presents a fantastic opportunity for those planning to visit China as part of a multi-country trip. Without the need for a visa, travelers can explore the wonders of China for up to 10 days. To help you make the most of this exciting development, we have put together a comprehensive guide on how to plan your trip.

What is China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy? – Travelers from 54 different countries holding a valid ordinary passport with a minimum of 3 months validity, along with proof of onward travel to a third country or region, are eligible to transit through designated areas in 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Mainland China for up to 240 hours without the need for a visa.

1. Check Eligibility – nationals from 54 countries eligible

The 240-hour visa-free stay is applicable to citizens from 54 countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, and others. Please verify that your nationality is included in the list of eligible countries before making travel arrangements.

2. Choose Your Ports of Entry – 60 ports

China now offers a 240-hour visa-free policy through 60 open ports of entry located in 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. These ports include major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi’an. Travelers can enter China without a visa through any of these designated ports, provided they meet the necessary requirements. It is important to verify that your chosen entry/exit ports are included on the list of eligible ports before making travel arrangements.

3. Onward Ticket to a Third Country or Region

In order to enter China’s Mainland, travelers are required to present documentation of a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, with a departure date within 240 hours. Third-party countries or regions, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and others, are all considered acceptable destinations.

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 begins at 00:00 (GMT+8) on the second day after your entry into China. For instance, if you arrive in China at 13:00 on April 20, 2025, your 240-hour period will commence at 00:00 on April 21, 2025. Upon arrival, you are permitted to stay in China for a maximum of 240 hours (equivalent to 10 days), allowing you to partake in tourism, conduct business, visit family or friends, or engage in other activities.

5. Cross-Provincial Travel Is Allowed

Under the new policy, travelers are now permitted to journey across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities within designated stay areas (refer to pages 3-5 for details). For instance, one could arrive in Beijing and explore cities such as Xi’an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, provided that the total duration of their stay does not surpass 240 hours. Prior to departure, it is essential to verify that the intended destinations are included on the list of eligible provinces and 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

To apply for visa-free transit, visit the border inspection office at any of the 60 eligible ports of entry. Upon arrival, present your valid passport with a minimum of 3 months validity, as well as your onward flight ticket to a third destination. The border authorities will then facilitate your temporary entry, activating your visa-free stay starting the day after your arrival. For a more comprehensive guide on the application process, please refer to the detailed steps provided.

Countries Eligible for China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit

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, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Available Provinces, Cities and Ports

Citizens from 54 eligible countries can enter and exit China through any of the 60 designated airports, cruise ports, and railway stations. They are able to visit the majority of destinations and attractions in 24 provinces and cities without needing 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

●To enter the country, travelers must possess a valid passport or international travel document issued by one of the 54 specified countries. The document must be valid for at least 3 months and have a valid visa for any third country or region if required.

●Additionally, travelers must have a connecting air, vessel, or train ticket that is valid and shows travel to the onward country or region. The ticket must include detailed date and seat information and must be used within 240 hours of entry.

Some eligible transit routes examples:

HK – China’s Mainland – Macao
HK – China’s Mainland – Taipei
US – Tokyo – Shanghai – Soul
UK – Beijing – Xian – Shanghai – HK – UK
Singapore – Chengdu – Chongqing – Guilin – Hong Kong
Laos – Mohan Railway Port – Kunming – Lijiang – Thailand

●To expedite the immigration process upon arrival, please ensure you have a completed Arrival Card in hand. These cards can be obtained at the airport after landing and must be submitted at the immigration counter. Thank you for your cooperation.

>> Application Procedures

Step 1: Prior to boarding an airplane, ship, or train, it is important to inform the carrier that you will be applying for the 240-Hour Visa-free Transit. The carrier will then notify the immigration office of your request.

Step 2: Upon arrival, follow the signs to the customs area, where you will need to fill out an Arrival Card and submit your application for transit visa exemption at the designated counter or channel. The immigration department can easily be located within the airport.

Step 3: If you possess a valid Chinese Visa but wish to utilize the 240-Hour Visa-free Transit on this occasion, inform the immigration officer that you will be entering and transiting using this method.

Step 4: If your application is approved, the immigration officer will affix a short-term stay permit (a paster) to your valid passport. This permit will clearly state the issuing date and the duration of your allowed stay.

Step 5: Upon leaving the airport, it is mandatory to register yourself within 24 hours of arrival at the local police station or Public Security Bureau (PSB). If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel staff will handle the registration for you. Please note that your application may be rejected if you have violated accommodation registration rules or caused serious incidents in China within the past 2 years.

Step 6: If you plan to travel to other cities or stay longer than 240 hours, you must apply for a Chinese Visa from the local PSB. Failure to do so may result in fines and other severe consequences for your illegal stay.

How to Plan Your China Trip for 240-Hour Visa Free Stay

With 10 days of visa-free stay, convenient flights, high-speed trains, and an extensive highway network, exploring the diverse travel destinations in China and immersing yourself in its rich history and culture has never been easier. For first-time visitors, it is highly recommended to embark on the classic route of Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. However, feel free to customize your itinerary to include visits to the hometown of giant pandas in Chengdu, the otherworldly landscapes of Zhangjiajie, the picturesque karst scenery in Guilin, or the awe-inspiring beauty of Huangshan. To add a touch of luxury and relaxation to your journey, consider indulging in a lavish Yangtze River cruise.

If you desire a more personalized experience, we offer customized travel services tailored to your preferences. As a premier China travel agency, we have successfully assisted over ten thousand guests in exploring China through our bespoke tours since our inception in 2011.

Popular China City Tours or Customize on Your Own

Below are some of the top destinations in China for you to choose from, along with recommended trip durations. You can also utilize our Customize China Tour Tool to create your own visa-free trip to China.

Beijing

Shanghai

Xian

Guilin

Zhangjiajie

Chengdu

Hangzhou

Suzhou

Chongqing

Guangzhou

Harbin

Kunming

Other China Visa Free Policies

30 Days Visa Free – 25 Countries Mutual Exemption of Visa with China

Citizens from the following countries holding a valid ordinary passport are not required to obtain a visa for entry, exit, or transit in the territory of the other contracting party. They are allowed a single stay not exceeding 30 days and a cumulative stay not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period.

The eligible countries include a variety of nations from different regions. From Asia, countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, and Georgia are included. European countries like Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and San Marino are also on the list. African countries represented are Mauritius and Seychelles. Oceania countries such as Fiji, Tonga, and Solomon Islands are included, along with North American countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, and the Bahamas. Lastly, the South American country of Suriname is also eligible for this visa exemption.

30 Days Visa Free – 38 Eligible Countries

China has recently implemented a 30-day visa-free policy for 38 countries, including various European nations such as Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. In addition, countries from Oceania like Australia and New Zealand, as well as Asian nations like Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, are also included in this policy.

This new policy allows ordinary passport holders from the eligible countries to enter China without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 30 days and will be in effect until December 31, 2025.