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?
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Check Back Before You Go
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I have a USA passport. Please advise if this qualifies for 240 transit visa free
First 240 transit visa free
US/Beijing/Shanghai bullet train to HK
2nd 240 transit visa free
Few days later Maucau ferry to Shekou port zhenshen to other provinces like Guilin then bullet train to HK
Few days using 6 days with HK tour to Canton back to HK to USA
Is this possible?
Thanks
Hi Kate,
Your first two legs of the trip are fine, but for the third leg, you can’t travel back and forth from Hong Kong. Can you fly directly from Guangzhou to the U.S.? That would work.
Hi I have a USA passport and visiting HK. Is this still up to date? “6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong or Macau – Resumed from March 15, 2023” Does your company offers this tour from Hong Kong”. Would you please advise? Thanks.
Hi, I’m Canadian and I have the following plan:
Ibaraki (Near Tokyo airport) > Shanghai Pudong: stay 3 nights in Shanghai
Shanghai Hongquiao Airport > Amsterdam via Beijing PKX (3 hr layover in Beijing PKX on the same ticket).
Will this work?
Yes.
Hello. Does a ticket through a third region (Hong Kong) count for the 240-hour visa-free transfer? I have a return ticket to Boston but am traveling straight back to my country of origin (U.S.A.). My return ticket is not separated into two documents or tickets.
Yes, you can use Hong Kong as a layover.
Hi everyone! I’m a U.S. citizen currently planning a trip and looking to use the 240-hour visa-free transit in China. I’ll be flying to India on April 20 and staying there for 10 days. From Hyderabad, I have a separate ticket to Kuala Lumpur, and then another separate ticket from Kuala Lumpur to China, where I plan to stay for 5 days. After that, I’ll fly to Bangkok and then eventually return to India before heading back to the U.S. Since the flights from Hyderabad to KL and KL to China are on separate itineraries, I’m wondering if this affects my eligibility for the 240-hour visa-free transit. Has anyone done something similar with separate tickets and been allowed entry under this policy? I’d really appreciate any insights or personal experiences—thanks!
Hi Andy, yes, it’s eligible, they don’t care about your tickets are separated or not.
Air Asia not giving the option to select seats upfront. will it be a problem?
Just show them the proof of your onward flight, and you will be fine.
Hi, I have read through your article but still not sure if it fully covers my question. I am planning to fly from New York to Hong Kong and then afterwards fly onwards to Seoul, South Korea. However, I also wanted to visit Shenzhen and Danxia Mountain. I see that you said that one can’t access mainland China from Hong Kong via rail under the 240 hour transit-free policy because there are no ports that work for that, but I did see that Shekou Port is part of the 240 hour transit-free policy, so just wondering if I can fly to Hong Kong, go to Shekou Port, and then travel onwards toward Danxia Mountain by train and then return after 2-3 days to Hong Kong before flying to South Korea?
Currently, there is no direct train from Hong Kong to Shekou. Shekou Port is a maritime port for sea-based entry. Of course, you can take a ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou to enter mainland China and continue your journey. However, please note that, as you mentioned, you will be considered as traveling between Hong Kong and mainland China, which means you won’t be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
Would it be ok if changing the plan a little? From Hong Kong to mainland China, then go to Macau? From Macau to Hong Kong to catch the return flight? Thanks
Yes, it’s OK.
Hi, is the 240 visa possible for a following itinerary: Europe -> Shanghai -> Shenzen (same day)-> Hong Kong (next day)?
Yes, it’s eligible.
Thank you, should I expect issues if I go back from Hong Kong to Shenzen 3 days later to fly to another country? Does leaving China (by going to Hong Kong for example) always reset the option to again use the 240 hour visa?
No, there will be no issue.
Yes, it will be reset.
Hello,
My plan is to fly from USA to Shanghai, then fly to Beijing, then fly to Hong Kong and then back to USA. Does this qualify for the 240 hour transit visa free?
Yes, it’s eligible.
Hello. Can I travel from Uk to HK to China to Macao to HK to uk on a transit visa and when does the 10 days start, in HK or mainland China? Thank you
Hi Martin, yes, you can. You can find the answer to your second question in the article, read carefully.
I’m a U.S. citizen flying to Guangzhou and have not yet purchased a train or ferry ticket to Hong Kong/Macau but will as soon as I am in Guangzhou. Can I apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit?
Yes, you can.
Hi, US citizen here asking about layovers on tickets. It’s still confusing to me if the layover country counts as a third country region.
I’m looking at one plane ticket going from USA -> Taiwan -> Beijing. And one departing ticket is Beijing -> Tokyo – USA
Do I have to split the Beijing to Tokyo and Tokyo to USA for the China TWOV to work?
Yes, the layover country counts as a third country / region.
Your original plan works perfectly.