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: 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?
We know that one article can’t cover everything, and your situation may be more complex. If so, please leave a comment below, and we will assist you soon with the latest information we have. Other communication channels on the website are for business purposes only, therefore, any inquiries regarding the 240-hour TWOV through them will be IGNORED. Before you leave a comment, please take a look at the comment section as well; perhaps you can find the answer there. MAKE SURE TO READ BEFORE ASKING. We offer the consultation for free, so please show some respect and at least learn to say thank you.
Check Back Before You Go
Visa policies can change quickly, so we’ll keep this article updated with the latest info and add more common questions to the FAQ section. Before your trip, check back here for updates. Save this page’s URL or bookmark us for easy access. If this article helped you, please share it with others or link to it to help those in need.
Hi,
I would like to avail of the 240 hours TWOV policy from US to Taiwan via China. My travel from China to Taiwan is via ferry. Is this allowed per the TWOV policy?
US – CN – TW is allowed, and how will you go to TW doesn’t matter.
Hello, Is it possible to enter at Mohan/Xishuangbanna by train and exit by train to Hong Kong?
And fly from Hong Kong to Shanghai and exit by ferry from Shenzhen to Macau?
(Any minimum time between two TWOV trips?)
Thanks in advance!
Hi Donna, yes, both is OK. There’s no minimum time gap requirement between two TWOV trips.
Many thanks! Your page is so useful! ❣️
Hello, I’m planning a trip with the following itinerary:
Medan (Indonesia) → Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia, transit) → Guangzhou,
where I will stay for several days.
Then: Guangzhou → Nanjing (transit) → Osaka (Japan).
Will this itinerary work?
For a Medan → Guangzhou → Osaka trip, is it necessary to book everything under a single booking code, or is it acceptable to book the flights separately since they involve different airlines?
Yes your plan will work, and you are free to book separate flights, it doesn’t matter.
Hi, if I travel from US to Vietnam to HK to Fushan, then Fushan back to HK to US. Could I use the 10 days free visa?
It doesn’t related to mainland China at all, if you are American I guess you will be fine.
Hello!
On a China Visa Free 240 Hour Transit (TWOV), can a person cross unpermitted region on a train?
Eg a train from Harbin, Heilongjiang to Shenyang, Liaoning.
The issue is that TWOV specifically states that among Heilongjiang province only Harbin is permitted.
Does that mean that a person is always prohibited to have a train leg in her itinerary through the unpermitted areas?
Thank you!
Hi Folex, yes, you are allowed to.
Hi, if i fly with route jakarta – shanghai dan comeback with route beijing- kuala lumpur – palembang. Can i use 240 hours free visa?
Yes you can.
Hi, I am planning on having a trip of the following: (cathay pacific)
YVR-HKG, stay for 2 days
HKG-PVG, stay for 3 days
PVG-YVR, with a 3 hr lay-over at the HKG
Will this Itinerary work?
It will work if: HKG – PVG – YVR
It won’t work if: HKG – PVG – HKG
Ask your airline to confirm waht route will show on tickets.
I am traveling from the Usa to Japan. I’ve already bought my plane tickets round trip. I misunderstood the 10 day visa free transit to China. I already bought a round trip from Japan to Shanghai. How can I still apply for the 10 day free transit to China? I don’t want to lose the money I paid for the trip to China if I don’t even qualify for the visa. Can I apply for a regular visa on arrival instead because this would be cheaper for me than buying tickets to a third country and another one back to Japan? Thanks
Hi Laudio,
If you want to avoid losing your China trip money and keep your current tickets, your best bet is to apply for a regular Chinese visa in advance (no visa on arrival supported, sorry).
If you want to use the visa-free transit, you must adjust your itinerary to include a third country after China with a confirmed ticket before arrival.
Hi .
i am still not certain for the twov 240 hours rules , with a flight ticket which include transit in another country
i am indonesian passport holder who recently can get 240 hour twov
i am curious if i have flight booking as below.. will i be eligible ?
case 1 :
flight 1. : Bali – singapore ( just airside transit ) – shanghai
flight 2 : beijing – KL ( just airside transit ) – Bali
both in sin and KL i wont be leaving immigration area
case 2 ;
1. Bali – hong kong – guangzhou ( 1 pnr )
2. guangzhou – hongkong – taipe 1( 1 pnr )
in this case i wont be leaving hk airport in both flight , just transit
do any of the cases above eligible for twov ? because i dont want to book wrong flight
thank you
Hi Quraisy, Case 1 most likely won’t work. Case 2 has a chance, just make sure your ticket shows Bali – China – Taipei, and confirm it with your airline.
Hi, thanks for the article! I’m currently going to Japan, to stay there for a few weeks, and then I’m going back to Spain, making a stop in Shanghai. It’s a bit of a long transit (7 hours) so I was thinking of leaving for just a few hours to see a bit of Shanghai (almost nothing, but at least something). The thing is that going to fill out the Arrival Card, I saw a message on the page that says: Note: The 24/240-hour visa-free transit application is currently only available at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport! (注意：24/240小时免签过境填报目前仅限上海虹桥机场可以使用！) The plane landing from Japan, and taking off to Spain is at Pudong Airport, so I understand that I would not be able to leave the airport without a visa? Is it something temporary and recent, or is it something usual and has been like this for quite some time? Thanks in advance!
Hi Carlos, I’m not sure where you saw that information, but it’s clearly misleading. Every day, countless travelers enter China visa-free through Pudong Airport.