240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy in China: Everything You Need to Know

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.

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.

Why Should You Use the 240-Hour Visa-Free Policy?

China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy is one of the most convenient ways to explore the country without applying for a traditional visa. It allows eligible travelers from select countries to stay up to 10 full days in designated Chinese cities while transiting to a third country—perfect for short business trips, stopovers, or adding China as a bonus destination to a longer itinerary.

The biggest advantage is simplicity: you don’t need embassy appointments, paperwork, or visa fees. As long as you have a valid passport, an onward ticket to a third country, and accommodation information, you can enter China smoothly on arrival. This makes the 240-hour policy ideal for travelers who want flexibility, who plan last-minute trips, or who simply want to enjoy cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu during a long layover.

Another benefit is cost-effectiveness. Skipping the visa means saving time and money, while still gaining access to world-class attractions such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, Suzhou’s gardens, and Guangzhou’s riverfront. For many travelers, it’s the easiest way to “test-drive” China before planning a longer visit in the future.

Who Is Eligible?

Travelers from 55 countries are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. Key countries include:

Requirements to Apply

1. Hold a valid passport with at least three months of remaining validity.
2. Have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
3. Transit through one of China’s approved entry points (see below).

How and Where to Apply

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

Starting November 5, 2025, five new ports — Guangzhou Pazhou, Hengqin, Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, Zhongshan, and West Kowloon Station — will be added to China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, raising the total to 65 entry ports across 24 provinces.

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.

What You Will Experience at Immigration

When you arrive under the 240‑Hour Visa‑Free Transit Policy (TWOV) in China, here is what typically happens — and what many travellers report experiencing:

• Go to the special TWOV counter on arrival. After you land, look for signs saying “240-hour visa-free/Transit without visa” (or ask airport staff to direct you). You will need to present: your passport (valid at least 3 months), your onward confirmed flight/train/ferry ticket to a third country (i.e. your exit from China), and your hotel or accommodation booking. 
• Fill in the Arrival/Departure card and submit for permit. The immigration officer will process a temporary stay permit which gets stamped (or stickered) into your passport. This permit indicates your allowed stay (240 h) and sometimes the allowed area. 
• Time needed — usually just a few minutes to ~30 minutes. According to a traveller in a recent online thread: “very smooth, no issues, just a little bit extra time at immigration but still through in less than 30 minutes each time.”  Some others mention up to ~30 minutes extra if airline staff or they themselves first mistakenly queued at the “regular immigration” instead of the TWOV counter — best practice is to head directly to the visa-free transit/immigration area. 
• Then collect luggage and pass customs as usual — just like regular arrival. Once your permit is issued, proceed to baggage claim and customs like any normal entry. 
• Stay period starts from the next day 00:00. Note: under the 240-hour rule, the 240-hour stay begins from 00:00 of the day after your arrival. 

Many travellers appreciate how smooth the process is. For example, one wrote:

“I’ve used it three times since July … very smooth … through in less than 30 minutes each time.”  – r/Chinavisa

So long as you have all required documents (passport, confirmed onward ticket out of China, accommodation info), the immigration experience tends to be straightforward and quick — usually no longer than a typical immigration + customs process, sometimes only a few minutes in low-traffic situations.

Tips for Using the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

1. Confirm eligibility before you travel

Only citizens of specific countries and only certain airports / ports support the 240-hour TWOV. Always check the latest policy from official immigration sources or your airline.

2. Book a flight / cruise / train that clearly meets “third country” requirements

Your entry and exit points must show: Country A → China → Country B. Returning to the same country usually does not qualify.

3. Keep your onward ticket ready—printed or offline

Immigration officers will check it. Airlines may also check it before boarding your flight to China.

4. Have your accommodation details prepared

Save your hotel confirmation offline. If you stay in an Airbnb/hosted home, prepare your host’s address and contact.

5. Stick to the permitted regions

Your stay is limited to the provinces / cities stated on your permit (e.g., entering via Beijing allows travel within Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei). Don’t plan to visit cities outside the policy zone.

6. Time starts at 00:00 the next day

For the 240-hour policy, your countdown begins at midnight after your arrival—this effectively gives you more actual hours on the ground than you may expect.

7. Avoid tight connections when exiting China

While TWOV is usually smooth, give yourself enough time at the airport for immigration and security when you leave.

8. Bring a translation app and offline maps

Even major airports and hotels may have limited English signage. Offline tools will make your visit much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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