240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy in China: Everything You Need to Know
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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?
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.
Hello, I am a UK citizen planning to visit train, can you enter mulitple times on the same 240 hour visa?
My itinerary planned is, UK-> India -> Hong Kong -> China Pazhou Port or Nansha Port -> Hong Kong -> China (Guangzhou East Station) -> Philipines -> Hong Kong -> UK
I will arrive in Hong Kong 22nd April and travel to China Pazhou Port or Nansha Port the same day, staying for 5 days, back to Hong Kong on the 27th April, then back to China Guangzhou East Station on the 30th April flying out of Guangzhou to Manila Philipines on the 2nd May.
It all falls withing the 10 days, but I would come out of China and go back into China a second time withing the 10 days not using an appilcable port.
Thanky you for your help!
Hi Simon,
Yes, you can enter multiple times, but with multiple TWOV.
However, your plan HK – CN – HK is not eligible.
You can only apply for the TWOV through eligible ports.
Hi, I’m in China now, I came from Hong Kong and put Macau as my country of departure. Do you know if there would be an issue if I changed my plan and departed back to hong Kong instead?
Hi Sebastian,
The risk of operating in this way is very high. It may involve the cancellation of your 240-hour visa-free entry qualification and could lead to being regarded as entering without a visa, which may result in penalties or affect your future entry into China. Our advice is: to avoid complications, please travel to Hong Kong via a third country or region. If you must go directly to Hong Kong, we recommend consulting the entry and exit management department at the public security bureau in your location for further guidance on the necessary procedures.
Are you able to fly direct to your home country as long as you came into China from a third country?
We would be looking at USA -> Seoul -> Beijing -> Xian – > Beijing -> USA
Yes you can.
Hi , thank you so much for your reply.
Just to clarify if we used our 240 hrs visa free for mainland China and flying into China from Hong Kong , after 10 days can we fly straight into Sanya (Hainan Island) for another week then back to London via Hong Kong?
Sorry for the confusing.
If you used up your 240 hours in Guilin and Beijing, you have to go to Hainan through a third region as Macau like you said.
I’ve also edited my original reply.
Hello, I am a Canadian living in Poland. I will fly from Krakow to Istanbul. Then from Istanbul to Beijing, Beijing to Shenzhen, Shenzhen to Singapore, Istanbul and then to Krakow. I will stay 6 nights in China. I guess I can enjoy the 240hrs visa free status. Could you please confirm? Thank you!
Yes, you can.
Hi, me (being Polish have a Polish passport) and my Husband (British passport) are hoping to visit China with 24hour visa free (I believe I don’t need visa to travel to China for up to 30 days if I’m correct? But my husband from Uk still needs it though). Our itinerary would be flying from UK to Hong Kong then train to Guilin 5 days, then flight to Beijing 5 days and flight back to Macau for overnight stay and then ferry to Hong kong and back to Uk from Hong Kong (so we would have a Return ticket Uk to Hong Kong and back ?
Would that be Ok?
Also if we were gonna add Hainan Island where with Polish and British passport I believe we can stay up to 30 days visa free can we fly straight from Beijing to Hainan Island or have to fly to Macau, stay overnight there and then fly ( or ferry) to Hainan Island?
Thank you , Beata
Hi Beata,
i am British passport holder living in Spain, my idea is flying from Phuket to Hong Kong on the 07/06/25,then flying to Chengdu 09/06/25 , does my 240 hours start here or arrival in Hong Kong?
i then want to visit Xian, Beijing , Shanghai travelling by trains. On the 18th or 19th then getting a flight from Shanghai to Phuket, is this allowed .
regards Baz
Hi Baz,
Hi,
I am UK citizen residing in Thailand.
I fly to Shanghai from Bangkok (via a short transfer in HKG), then flying out of Beijing to Hong Kong for a few nights stay, before back to Bangkok.
Is this okay?
If not, what needs to change? Direct flight back to Bangkok maybe?
No, it’s not OK, you need a direct flight back to Bangkok.
Bangkok – Hong Kong (1hr transfer not leaving the airport).
Then departing Beijing – Hong Kong where I have a nights stay.
And then onwards to Bangkok on another day is not okay?
So does the 1hr transfer in HKG (or any airport) count as my origin country??
Yes, the 1hr transfer in HKG (or any airport) count as your origin country/region. Your original plan will not work.
Hi,
Thank you very much for the information on the website, it is very helpful.
I have a doubt my wife and I are going to China in three weeks this itinerary is possible with the 240 hours visa?
USA – TAIWAN – Chongquing(2 days) flight to Zhangjiajie(3 days) flight back to Chongquing(2 days) – CATAR – USA.
Thank you very much in advance!
Hi Danny, Yes, it’s eligible.
Hello Im from Mexico, we are 4 adults, planning a trip on December. mexico – Seoul ~Beijing-Shanghai-Osaka-Mexico, we want to stay in China 8 night’s, can we have the visa transit 240 hrs?
Thank you for you help
Sorry, Mexican is not eligible.
Hello, I’m a US citizen who is planning a trip to China. Will I qualify for the 240 hour visa free transit (TWOV) if my itinerary is USA -> Japan -> Beijing -> Nanning -> Vietnam -> USA. I’m getting conflicting information about travel between Beijing -> Nanning is not allowed since it is a domestic flight, but other information I get says that traveling between the 24 approved provinces is allowed. My total stay in China will be 9 days (4.5 days in Beijing and 4.5 days in Nanning). Can you please help confirm if I will qualify for TWOV? Thank you so much.
Hi Virginia, yes, it’s eligible.