Quick Answer

China’s 240-hour visa-free transit lets eligible travelers visit parts of mainland China for up to 10 days while transiting to a third country or region. As of the latest National Immigration Administration update checked for this guide, the policy covers 55 eligible countries and 65 designated ports across 24 provincial-level regions.

The key rule is that your route must be a real transit: Country or region A -> Mainland China -> Country or region B. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are treated as separate regions for this purpose, so routes such as London -> Beijing -> Hong Kong can qualify if all other requirements are met.

Best for:
Short China trips during an international journey
Bring:
Passport, confirmed onward ticket, accommodation details, and trip plan
Time limit:
240 hours, counted from 00:00 on the day after entry
Check before booking:
Eligible nationality, exact port, route, and permitted travel area

Last checked: May 15, 2026. Official references: State Council update on expanded 240-hour transit and National Immigration Administration transit policy page. Always confirm the latest rule before travel.

Introduction

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article incorporates the latest significant updates to China’s Transit Visa Exemption policy announced by the National Immigration Administration (NIA). However, visa policies can be subject to further adjustments. Before planning your trip and traveling, you MUST verify the latest policies with the official website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country/region, or through official channels of China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA).

Exciting news for international travelers! China has significantly expanded and optimized its Transit Visa Exemption (TWOV) policy, extending the permissible stay from the previous 72 or 144 hours to a generous 240 hours (10 days) for eligible nationals from 55 countries.

Aerial view of Shanghai skyline with modern skyscrapers and the Huangpu River

China’s major cities like Shanghai are now more accessible with the extended 240-hour visa-free transit

This major enhancement, effective immediately as of the latest announcement from China’s National Immigration Administration, also now includes 65 designated entry/exit ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, with broader permitted areas of activity.

“The value of the 240-hour policy is not simply the longer stay. It is the ability to plan a real stopover, as long as your nationality, route, entry port, onward ticket, and permitted travel area all match the official transit rules.”

This guide will detail everything you need to know about the new 240-hour visa-free transit policy.

1. Eligible Nationalities (55 Countries)

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy currently applies to citizens of 55 countries. Indonesia was added to the list in 2025, so older lists that mention 54 countries are now outdated.

European Countries (40):

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Monaco
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • Cyprus
  • Bulgaria
  • Romania
  • Ukraine
  • Serbia
  • Croatia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Albania
  • Belarus
  • Norway

Americas, Oceania, and Asia:

  • American Countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
  • Oceanian Countries (2): Australia, New Zealand
  • Asian Countries (7): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia

Practical tip: Nationality eligibility is based on the passport you use to enter China. If you hold more than one passport, make sure your ticket, passport, and onward travel documents match.

World map representing countries eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit

55 countries now qualify for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy

2. Application Conditions

To be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit, applicants must meet the following conditions:

Nationality Requirement

You must be a citizen of one of the 55 countries listed above.

Passport Requirement

  • Hold a valid international travel document (passport) with at least 3 months of validity from the date of entry.
  • Meet the entry requirements for the third country (or region) you are transiting to.

Itinerary Requirement

  • Hold a connecting ticket (e.g., an onward air ticket) or relevant proof with a confirmed date and seat to a third country or region within 240 hours (10 days) of arrival in China.
Traveler showing passport and boarding pass at airport immigration counter

Proper documentation is essential for visa-free transit approval

Entry Procedures

  • Fill out an “Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.”
  • Undergo inspection and questioning by China’s immigration inspection authorities at the port of entry.

Crucial Itinerary Note

Your journey must be Country A → China (transit) → Country B.

  • Example of an eligible itinerary: New York (USA) → Shanghai (China) → Bangkok (Thailand).
  • Example of an ineligible itinerary: New York (USA) → Shanghai (China) → Los Angeles (USA).

Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are considered separate regions from mainland China for this policy. Therefore, an itinerary like London (UK) → Beijing (China) → Hong Kong is eligible.

3. Applicable Ports of Entry/Exit and Permitted Areas of Stay

Eligible foreigners can apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit at immigration inspection authorities at 65 designated ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. The 240-hour (10-day) stay period begins from 00:00 on the day following entry.

Provincial Coverage and Common Ports

Province/RegionApplicable PortsPermitted Area of Stay
BeijingBeijing Capital Int’l Airport, Beijing Daxing Int’l AirportBeijing Municipality
TianjinTianjin Binhai Int’l Airport, Tianjin International Cruise Home PortTianjin Municipality
HebeiShijiazhuang Zhengding Int’l Airport, Qinhuangdao PortHebei Province
LiaoningShenyang Taoxian Int’l Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi Int’l Airport, Dalian PortLiaoning Province
ShanghaiShanghai Hongqiao Int’l Airport, Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport, Shanghai PortShanghai Municipality
JiangsuNanjing Lukou Int’l Airport, Sunan Shuofang Int’l Airport, Yangzhou Taizhou Int’l Airport, Lianyungang PortJiangsu Province
ZhejiangHangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l Airport, Ningbo Lishe Int’l Airport, Wenzhou Longwan Int’l Airport, Yiwu Airport, Wenzhou Port, Zhoushan PortZhejiang Province
Anhui (New)Hefei Xinqiao Int’l Airport, Huangshan Tunxi Int’l AirportAnhui Province (Entire Province)
FujianFuzhou Changle Int’l Airport, Xiamen Gaoqi Int’l Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang Int’l Airport, Wuyishan Airport, Xiamen PortFujian Province (Entire Province – Expanded)
ShandongJinan Yaoqiang Int’l Airport, Qingdao Jiaodong Int’l Airport, Yantai Penglai Int’l Airport, Weihai Dashuibo Int’l Airport, Qingdao PortShandong Province
HenanZhengzhou Xinzheng Int’l AirportHenan Province
HubeiWuhan Tianhe Int’l AirportHubei Province (Entire Province – Expanded)
HunanChangsha Huanghua Int’l Airport, Zhangjiajie Hehua Int’l AirportHunan Province
GuangdongGuangzhou Baiyun Int’l Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan Int’l Airport, Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal, Shenzhen Shekou Port, Shenzhen Huanggang Port, Shenzhen Luohu Port, Zhuhai Port, Hengqin Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port, Gongbei Port, Zhongshan Port, Shantou PortGuangdong Province
Hainan (New)Haikou Meilan Int’l Airport, Sanya Phoenix Int’l AirportHainan Province (Entire Province)
ChongqingChongqing Jiangbei Int’l AirportChongqing Municipality
Guizhou (New)Guiyang Longdongbao Int’l AirportGuizhou Province (Entire Province)
ShaanxiXi’an Xianyang Int’l AirportShaanxi Province (Entire Province – Expanded)
Shanxi (New)Taiyuan Wusu Int’l AirportTaiyuan City, Datong City
HeilongjiangHarbin Taiping Int’l AirportHarbin City
Jiangxi (New)Nanchang Changbei Int’l AirportNanchang City, Jingdezhen City
GuangxiNanning Wuyu Int’l Airport, Guilin Liangjiang Int’l Airport, Beihai Fucheng Airport, Beihai PortNanning, Guilin, Beihai, Liuzhou, Wuzhou, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin (12 cities)
SichuanChengdu Shuangliu Int’l Airport, Chengdu Tianfu Int’l AirportChengdu, Luzhou, Deyang, and 8 other cities (total 11 cities)
YunnanKunming Changshui Int’l Airport, Lijiang Sanyi Int’l Airport, Mohan Railway PortKunming, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna, and 6 other prefectures/cities (total 9 prefectures/cities)

Note: This table summarizes the 24 provincial-level regions covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit policy and major commonly used ports. Because port lists can change, confirm the exact eligible port on the National Immigration Administration website before booking.

One of the most significant enhancements is the ability for transiting foreigners to travel across provinces within the permitted areas of stay of these 24 provinces/regions.

Key Ports and Permitted Areas

Beijing
Ports: Beijing Capital Int’l Airport, Beijing Daxing Int’l Airport
Permitted Area: Beijing Municipality

Shanghai
Ports: Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l Airport, Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport, Shanghai Port
Permitted Area: Shanghai Municipality

Guangdong
Ports include: Guangzhou Baiyun Int’l Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan Int’l Airport, Shekou Port, Luohu Port, Gongbei Port, Hengqin Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port, Zhongshan Port, Shantou Port
Permitted Area: Guangdong Province

Newly Added Provinces
Anhui, Guizhou, Hainan, Jiangxi, Shanxi now fully included with expanded permitted areas

Major Expansion
Fujian, Hubei, Shaanxi now allow travel throughout entire province

Cross-Provincial Travel
Example: Enter through Shanghai, visit Hangzhou (Zhejiang), Suzhou (Jiangsu), then depart from Nanjing

Modern airport terminal with immigration counters and signage in Chinese/English

Designated ports now include 65 air, sea, rail, and land ports across China

4. Rules for Visa-Free Stay

Duration of Stay

A maximum of 240 hours (10 days), calculated from 00:00 on the day following entry.

Permitted Area of Activity

You can travel within the designated areas of the 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) listed in the table above, including cross-provincial travel within these permitted zones.

Special Provisions

If your country has a mutual visa exemption agreement with China or is eligible for a unilateral visa exemption policy that offers different terms (e.g., longer stay), you may be able to choose the more favorable policy. Consult with immigration officials upon arrival.

“The main planning advantage is broader movement within approved areas, but this is still not a national open-travel permission. Check the permitted stay area for your actual entry port before building a multi-city route.”

Traveler with luggage boarding high-speed train in China

China’s efficient high-speed rail network makes cross-provincial travel easy during your 10-day stay

5. Important Considerations
  • Onward Ticket is Key: You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. Failure to provide this may result in denied entry under the transit policy.
  • Immigration Inspection: Be prepared for questioning by immigration officials. They may ask for supporting documents such as hotel reservations or your travel itinerary within China.
  • No Overstaying: Overstaying the 240-hour limit will result in penalties, including fines and potential future entry restrictions.
  • Policy Changes: While this is a major and positive update, policies can always be adjusted. It’s highly recommended to check the latest announcements from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) or the relevant Chinese Embassy/Consulate before your trip.
  • Accommodation Registration: Upon arrival, if you are not staying in a hotel (which typically handles this for you), you must register your temporary residence with the local police station within 24 hours.
Close-up of passport with Chinese entry stamp and visa-free transit sticker

Ensure your passport gets the correct entry stamp indicating visa-free transit

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Solutions

❓ Can I transit through Hong Kong or Macau and still be eligible?

✅ Yes, this is perfectly fine! For the purpose of this transit policy, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR (and Taiwan) are considered “third countries/regions” distinct from Mainland China. So, an itinerary like London → Beijing (transit stay) → Hong Kong (final destination or further transit) is eligible.

❓ After my 240-hour visa-free transit ends, can I immediately re-enter Mainland China from Hong Kong for another 240-hour visa-free transit?

✅ Generally, yes, this should be possible, provided you meet all criteria for each transit. Each entry under the transit policy is treated as a new application. So, if you depart Mainland China to Hong Kong (a third region), and then have a valid ticket from Hong Kong transiting through Mainland China to a different third country (like Canada), you can apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit again upon arrival in Shanghai from Hong Kong. The key is that for each transit entry into Mainland China, you must be en route to a different subsequent international destination.

❓ Do I need to enter and exit Mainland China through the same port/city?

✅ Not necessarily the same port, but your travel must adhere to the permitted regions for the ports you use. The current policy allows entry at any of the 65 designated ports and permits cross-provincial travel within the 24 designated provinces/regions. For example, you could enter through Shanghai and, after traveling within the permitted Yangtze River Delta region (and other permitted interconnected regions), depart from Nanjing or Hangzhou if your onward international flight is from there.

❓ What specific documents should I have ready besides my passport and onward ticket?

✅ While the primary documents are your valid passport (with at least 3 months validity) and your confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region within 240 hours, it’s wise to also have:

  • A copy of your travel itinerary within China
  • Hotel reservations (if any)
  • Completed arrival card

More FAQ Highlights

❓ Can I work or study during my 240-hour stay?
No. The 240-hour visa-free transit is strictly for transit purposes, which can include tourism, visiting friends/family, or short-term business discussions related to your transit.

❓ What if my onward flight is delayed or cancelled?
Immediately contact the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit-Entry Administration office in the city you are in. Explain the situation and provide proof from the airline. Do not simply overstay.