240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy in China: Everything You Need to Know
All information here has been verified with the China National Immigration Administration and is kept updated; you can fully trust it and look no further.
China has recently extended its visa-free transit policy from 144 hours to 240 hours, providing travelers with up to 10 days of visa-free travel in designated regions. This policy, aimed at encouraging international tourism and business activities, applies to visitors from 55 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the new 240-hour visa-free transit policy, including eligible countries, entry points, permitted areas, and tips for maximizing your time in China.
Read Also:
- 30-Day Visa-Free Policy in China: Everything You Need to Know
- Hainan Visa-free Entry Policy: Everything you need to know
- Shanghai 15-Day Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Tour Groups: Complete Guide
Table of Contents
What Is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows travelers to transit through China and stay for up to 10 days without a visa, provided they meet specific criteria. This is a significant upgrade from the previous 144-hour visa-free policy, offering visitors more time to explore China’s diverse culture, history, and landscapes.
Who Is Eligible?
Travelers from 55 countries are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. Key countries include:
Region | Countries |
|---|---|
Asia-Pacific | Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea |
Europe | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
North America | Canada, United States |
South America | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico |
Eastern Europe and CIS | Belarus, Croatia, Russia, Ukraine |
Middle East | Qatar, United Arab Emirates |
Other Countries | Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia |
Requirements to Apply
- Hold a valid passport with at least three months of remaining validity.
- Have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
- Transit through one of China’s approved entry points (see below).
How and Where to Apply
- Check Eligibility Ensure your nationality is on the list of eligible countries and your travel plan qualifies: you must be in transit to a third country (e.g., U.S. → China → Japan).
- Use an Approved Entry Point The 240-hour policy is currently available in select cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Guangdong region via certain international airports or cruise ports.
- Prepare Documents Have these ready when boarding and upon arrival:
- Valid passport (with 6+ months validity)
- Confirmed onward flight/train ticket to a third country (within 240 hours)
- Completed arrival/departure card
- Inform Your Airline Let your airline know you plan to use the 240-hour visa-free transit. They will notify Chinese immigration on your behalf.
- Apply on Arrival On arrival at a participating airport, proceed to the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) desk. Immigration will review your documents and issue a temporary stay permit stamped in your passport.
- Stay Within the Designated Region You must remain within the permitted area (e.g., the Pearl River Delta for Guangdong) and depart China within 240 hours.
Tip: Always double-check the latest policy with the Chinese embassy or your airline before departure, as rules may change.
Approved Entry Points for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
The new policy clarifies that the visa-free transit policy now applies to 24 provinces (regions and municipalities), expanding from the original 19 provinces: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shaanxi, to include an additional five provinces: Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou.
Where Can You Travel During the 240 Hours?
The new policy introduces a more relaxed measure, allowing foreign travelers entering China under the visa-free transit policy to travel across provinces within the permitted areas of the 24 provinces (regions and municipalities) mentioned above. This means foreign travelers can move freely within these provinces and choose any open port of entry or exit in China, no longer restricted to a single province or specific region with “same entry and exit,” significantly enhancing convenience and flexibility for foreigners visiting China.
In comparison, under the previous 144-hour visa-free transit policy, foreign travelers entering through Shanghai could only travel within the Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region and were unable to visit other provinces, with a very limited activity area. Under the new policy, foreign travelers entering China through Shanghai can travel to 24 provinces, cities, and regions nationwide within 240 hours for tourism, business, and other activities, and choose the nearest port for exit.
Why Should You Use the 240-Hour Visa-Free Policy?
The new visa-free policy offers travelers numerous benefits:
- Save Time and Money: Skip the hassle and cost of applying for a Chinese visa.
- Discover China’s Highlights: Explore top destinations like the Great Wall, Shanghai’s Bund, or Guangzhou’s Canton Tower.
- Flexible Itineraries: With 10 days, you can plan an immersive trip covering multiple cities.
Tips for Using the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- Plan Your Trip Carefully: Ensure your arrival and departure cities fall under the same permitted area.
- Prepare Documentation: Have printed copies of your passport, onward ticket, and hotel bookings.
- Use Public Transportation: China’s high-speed rail and metro systems are efficient and traveler-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I extend my 240-hour visa-free stay?
A: No, extensions are not permitted. You must leave China before the 240-hour period ends.
Q: What happens if I overstay?
A: Overstaying can result in fines, detention, or being banned from re-entering China.
In addition, the National Immigration Administration stated that travelers entering China under the visa-free transit policy who need to stay beyond the permitted duration or travel outside the designated areas due to urgent and reasonable reasons or force majeure must apply for a stay permit in advance at the local public security bureau’s entry-exit administration department.
Q: Can I enter China from Guangzhou and exit from Shanghai, or can I enter from Shanghai and exit from Guangzhou?
A: Both options are possible. The 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows travelers to travel between provinces.
Q: I just apply for the 240 hour visa upon arrival in China?
A: Yes, you apply for the 240-hour visa-free entry upon arrival in China at the airport. You don’t need to apply for it in advance; it’s granted at the immigration counter when you arrive.
At the immigration counter, simply inform the officer that you’re applying for 240-hour visa-free transit and provide necessary documents. If everything is in order, you’ll receive the visa-free entry for the specified time period.
Q: Is the 240-hour limit for “240-hour visa-free transit” calculated from the time of entry?
A: No, the 240-hour limit is calculated starting from 00:00 on the day following the passenger’s entry. For example, if a passenger enters Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 08:00 on January 1, 2025, the visa-free transit period will start from 00:00 on January 2, 2025, and they must exit before 23:59 on January 11, 2025.
Q: If a passenger plans to buy an outbound ticket after entry, can they apply for visa-free transit?
A: According to the policy, to apply for the visa-free transit, passengers must hold a confirmed ticket with a set date and seat to a third country (region) before entering China. Therefore, if the connecting ticket has not been purchased in advance, the passenger cannot take advantage of this policy.
Q: If a passenger has a confirmed return ticket to their departure country within 240 hours, can they apply for this policy?
A: No. According to the policy, the visa-free transit policy is for foreigners who are transiting through China to a third country (region) from China. Therefore, foreigners who are traveling back to their country of departure cannot take advantage of this policy.
Q: I’m a U.S. citizen flying to Guangzhou and have a train or ferry ticket to Hong Kong/Macau within 240 hours. Can I apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit?
A: Yes, you can.
Q: What is considered as “third region”?
A: A “third region” is the next destination after China, different from your origin.
Q: If I fly to China from Country A (with a stopover or transit in Country B), is my departure country considered Country A or Country B?
A: The simplest way is to ask your airline to confirm how the route will be listed on your ticket. China’s entry border control determines your departure country/region based on the last country/region you flew from to China. Generally speaking, if a passenger departs from one country and the flight stops in another country or region without going through immigration, the stopover location is not considered the departure or destination point. This also applies when determining your destination country after leaving China. But we suggest you to confirm this with your airline.
Q: Is Hong Kong / Macau considered as “third region” under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy?
A: Yes, both Hong Kong and Macau are classified as “third region” under China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, meaning that travelers can plan itineraries that include these locations without needing to obtain a visa for mainland China, as long as they comply with the transit requirements. Therefore, you can take advantage of this by returning to your departure point/country from Hong Kong or Macau. For example: USA – China – USA: doesn’t work; USA – Hong Kong – China – USA: works; USA – China – Macau – USA: works too.
Q: Can I apply for TWOV when entering mainland China from Hong Kong by road or train?
A: No, you can’t apply for TWOV when entering mainland China from Hong Kong by road or train, cause there’s no eligible port available. Travel by flight or cruise.
Q: Can I use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy multiple times in a short period? Is there any required time gap between each use?
A: Yes, there is no limit on the number of times you can use the policy, nor is there any required time gap between each use. For example, for a trip from the USA to Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, you can apply for the TWOV twice: once for USA – Shanghai – Hong Kong, and again for Hong Kong – Guangzhou – USA.
Q: If I enter China under the 240-hour TWOV, do all segments of my flights have to be booked with the same airline?
A: No, they don’t have to.
Q: Are round-trip tickets in one booking accepted?
Q: If I enter China under the 240-hour TWOV, can I change my outbound flight and time afterwards? Do I need to report it to anyone in advance?
A: Yes, such changes are allowed as long as they occur within 240 hours and do not require prior reporting. You only need to explain the situation and provide relevant proof to the immigration officer on the day of departure to exit smoothly.
Q: Is there an official number I can call to inquire?
A: Yes, you can call the National Immigration Administration service platform at +86 12367 to ask. Multiple languages are supported.
Plan Your Trip to China Today!
With the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, China has become more accessible than ever. Whether you’re interested in ancient history, modern cities, or breathtaking natural scenery, this policy provides an ideal opportunity to explore the country hassle-free.
Start planning your dream trip to China today with Travel China With Me! With nearly 20 years of expertise in China inbound tourism and over 3,000 satisfied clients each year, we craft the perfect itinerary and offer the best competitive quote—ensuring you experience a seamless and unforgettable visa-free adventure in China.
Still Have Questions?
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Check Back Before You Go
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Hi,
If buy tickets:
Lithuania—>Swiss (2hours layover)—>Shanghai ( 8 days travel)
Shanghai—->Germany (2hours layover)—>Lithuania.
240 hours free visa works?
Hi Gydo, yes, it perfectly works
I doubt that the third country after Shanghai is just a short stopover.
Yes, I see, but it will still qualify
Shanghai transit connection – Do I have time to make this connection?
Arrive on Delta flight at 1:45pm from USA.
Depart on the same day on Vietnam Airlines at 3:55pm.
Delta and Vietnam are supposedly partners. I want to connect my flight so i dont have to claim and re-check luggage.
You have 2 hours and 10 minutes to connect. If both flights are at Pudong Airport (PVG) and your baggage is checked through (confirm with Delta), you should have enough time for an international-to-international transfer. However, delays or long immigration lines could make it tight. Confirm baggage interlining and monitor your first flight’s status.
Will this itinerary be acceptable under the 240 hour TWOV?
USA –>flight to Hong Kong –> ferry to Guangzhou –> flight to Japan?
Yes it will
Flying to Japan from Uk going on a cruise that stops at Shanghai overnight (so will be getting off and on a few times doing our own thing with no excursions planned) then 2 days later we cruise from Shanghai to Xiamen for the day (again no excursions booked will be doing our own exploring) The cruise then ends in Hong Kong where we will fly home to uk. Can we use the 240 hour visa if entering China multiple times? Thanks for any advice.
Hi Jane,
You can use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy while entering China multiple times during your cruise itinerary, as long as you meet the requirements and adhere to the time limits, you should be able to enjoy your cruise and explore China without needing a traditional visa.
Hello, I would like to confirm if this meets the requirements. I plan on flying SFO to PVG then from PEK to ICN, all within the 240 hrs. (In between that timeframe, I plan on stopping by Xi’an before heading onward to Beijing)
Hi GF,
Your itinerary from SFO to PVG, then to Xi’an, Beijing (PEK), and finally ICN is valid under the 240-hour visa-free transit rule
UK passport holder.
Flight booked as London-Beijing-Tokyo-London under 240 hours rule.
What are(or is there any) requirement for checking in at London airport, as I haven’t applied for China visa?
For the 240-hour visa-free transit rule:
No China visa is required if these conditions are met. Always verify with the airline during check-in.
Hi,
The more we read about the different scenarios and what is OK and not OK on the 240 hour transit visa, we are getting more confused. Could we list out a few scenarios here to see what is allowed? These are from US passport holders.
Scenario #1: Fly from US to Shanghai and spend a few days there. Then fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong and spend a few days there in Hong Kong. In total all under the 240 hour time. If we flew back from Hong Kong to Shanghai and then immediately flew back home from Shanghai to the US, would that be allowed? We think not, but we wanted to check.
Scenario #2: Fly from US to Shanghai and spend a few days there. Then fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong and spend a few days there in Hong Kong. In total all under the 240 hour time. We then fly from Hong Kong to Tokyo, Japan and get a connecting flight back home to the US from Tokyo. Would that be allowed if we were just landing in Tokyo briefly and then getting on another plane home back to the US?
Scenario #3: Similar to scenario #2. Fly from US to Shanghai and spend a few days there. Then fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong and spend a few days there in Hong Kong. In total all under the 240 hour time. We then fly from Hong Kong to Tokyo and spend a day or two in Tokyo. Later on after visiting Tokyo, we fly back home to the US from Tokyo. Would that be allowed?
Thanks for any help here.
Hi Jeff,
I feel you, and here are the quick answers to your questions:
Transit #1 from USA->Shanghai->Hong Kong, a transit entry permit will be issued upon arrival at Shanghai.
Transit #2 from Hong Kong->Shanghai->USA, a new transit entry permit will be issued upon arrival at Shanghai.
Hope it helps and welcome to China!
Thank you for the answers to our scenarios. This has been very useful and we appreciate your time.
UK passport holder departing London to Hong Kong on 5/3/25
Connecting flight to Shanghai Pu Dong
5/3/25 to 9/3/25 – 4 nights in Shanghai
9/3/25 depart Shanghai port on Cruise Ship to Japan.
16/3/25 arrive back at Shanghai port
Transfer to Shanghai airport
Flight to Hong Kong
17/3/25 return flight from Hong Kong to London
Is this possible under the 240 hour visa free transit rule ?
Yes, your itinerary is possible under China’s 240-hour visa-free transit rule.
Would I apply for 240 hour visa free transit at Immigration in Shanghai ?
Yes, and it will be quick.
Hi,
I have a return flight from London Heathrow to Beijing but it is not direct. It goes via Paris on the way out and Amsterdam on the way back. Does this count as a third country if if want to do the 240 visa free transit as I am in Beijing for less than 240 hours?
Yes, your trip would likely qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit in Beijing:
Transit, not just a layover: The key is that you are transiting through Beijing on your way to another destination (presumably your final destination after Beijing). This is different from simply having a layover where you remain in the airport.
Third country: The 240-hour transit visa is designed for travelers passing through China to a third country. In your case, London to Beijing to another destination would fit this criteria. Paris and Amsterdam are irrelevant as they are within your journey from London to Beijing.
What countries are part of the 3rd region under the 240 hour visa free transit?
I am a US passport holder
6/4-6/4 LAX-Korea
6/9 Korea to Beijing
6/11 Beijing to Shanghai
6/16 Shanghai to LAX
Should I change my itinerary the reverse way from Shanghai to Beijing to Korea then back to LAX to qualify for the free 240 hour visa free entry? Would Korea count as a 3rd region, or does it have to be Hong Kong and Macau, and is there a time limit of how long I have to stay at the 3rd region? Thank you for your help!
1. 3rd Region Countries: Any country or region outside mainland China qualifies, as long as it’s different from your origin. The country or region of entry and departure shall be different.
2. Reverse Itinerary: Yes, Shanghai -> Beijing -> Korea -> LAX would qualify.
3. Korea as 3rd Region: Yes, Korea counts as a third country.
4. Time Limit in 3rd Region: Doesn’t matter.