What Is China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?
China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows eligible travelers to enter China without a visa and stay for up to 240 hours (10 days), provided they meet certain conditions. This special arrangement is designed to encourage international travel and make China more accessible for short-term visitors.
To qualify, travelers must:
- Hold a valid passport from one of the 55 eligible countries.
- Transit through China to a third country or region.
- The onward destination cannot be the same country as your point of origin.
- Importantly, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are recognized as third regions under this policy.
- ✅ Example: U.S. → China → Japan is valid. ❌ U.S. → China → U.S. is not.
- Arrive and depart from one of the 60 designated ports of entry/exit (including international airports, seaports, and railway stations).
- Stay only within the permitted 24 regions (covering major provinces and cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Sichuan, etc.) during the 240-hour period.
In short, the policy combines “55 countries, 24 regions, 60 ports, and 240 hours” as its key framework.
Which countries’ citizens are eligible for China’s visa-free transit policy?
As of June 2025, a total of 55 countries are eligible. Here is the complete list, grouped by continent:
Europe (37 countries):
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania.
Americas (6 countries):
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States.
Oceania (2 countries):
Australia, New Zealand.
Asia (10 countries):
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Bahrain.
That makes a total of 55 countries whose citizens can apply for this policy directly at immigration upon arrival.
Which 60 Ports of Entry and Exit Are Included in China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy? And Which 24 Regions Can Travelers Stay In?
The policy applies at 60 designated ports of entry and exit, including international airports, seaports, and railway border ports, spread across 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions.
Here is the full list (by province/municipality/region):
| No. | Province / Municipality | Applicable Ports of Entry | Permitted Stay Area | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport | Beijing Municipality | Transit passengers may travel across 24 designated provinces/municipalities during the 240-hour visa-free stay. |
| 2 | Beijing | Beijing Daxing International Airport | Beijing Municipality | |
| 3 | Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport | Tianjin Municipality | |
| 4 | Tianjin | Tianjin Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Tianjin Municipality | |
| 5 | Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport | Hebei Province | |
| 6 | Hebei | Qinhuangdao Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Hebei Province | |
| 7 | Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Liaoning Province | |
| 8 | Liaoning | Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | Liaoning Province | |
| 9 | Liaoning | Dalian Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Liaoning Province | |
| 10 | Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport | Shanghai Municipality | |
| 11 | Shanghai | Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Shanghai Municipality | |
| 12 | Shanghai | Shanghai Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Shanghai Municipality | |
| 13 | Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | Jiangsu Province | |
| 14 | Jiangsu | Sunan Shuofang International Airport | Jiangsu Province | |
| 15 | Jiangsu | Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport | Jiangsu Province | |
| 16 | Jiangsu | Lianyungang Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Jiangsu Province | |
| 17 | Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | Zhejiang Province | |
| 18 | Zhejiang | Ningbo Lishe International Airport | Zhejiang Province | |
| 19 | Zhejiang | Wenzhou Longwan International Airport | Zhejiang Province | |
| 20 | Zhejiang | Yiwu Airport | Zhejiang Province | |
| 21 | Zhejiang | Wenzhou Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Zhejiang Province | |
| 22 | Zhejiang | Zhoushan Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Zhejiang Province | |
| 23 | Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport | Anhui Province | |
| 24 | Anhui | Huangshan Tunxi International Airport | Anhui Province | |
| 25 | Fujian | Fuzhou Changle International Airport | Fujian Province | |
| 26 | Fujian | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | Fujian Province | |
| 27 | Fujian | Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport | Fujian Province | |
| 28 | Fujian | Wuyishan Airport | Fujian Province | |
| 29 | Fujian | Xiamen Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Fujian Province | |
| 30 | Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport | Shandong Province | |
| 31 | Shandong | Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport | Shandong Province | |
| 32 | Shandong | Yantai Penglai International Airport | Shandong Province | |
| 33 | Shandong | Weihai Dashuibo International Airport | Shandong Province | |
| 34 | Shandong | Qingdao Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Shandong Province | |
| 35 | Henan | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport | Henan Province | |
| 36 | Hubei | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Hubei Province | |
| 37 | Hunan | Changsha Huanghua International Airport | Hunan Province | |
| 38 | Hunan | Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport | Hunan Province | |
| 39 | Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Guangdong Province (exit allowed from all open ports within Guangdong) | Transit passengers may travel across 24 designated provinces/municipalities during the 240-hour visa-free stay. |
| 40 | Guangdong | Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport | Guangdong Province | |
| 41 | Guangdong | Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | Guangdong Province | |
| 42 | Guangdong | Nansha Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Guangdong Province | |
| 43 | Guangdong | Shekou Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | Guangdong Province | |
| 44 | Hainan | Haikou Meilan International Airport | Hainan Province | |
| 45 | Hainan | Sanya Phoenix International Airport | Hainan Province | |
| 46 | Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing Municipality | |
| 47 | Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport | Guizhou Province | |
| 48 | Shaanxi | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport | Shaanxi Province | |
| 49 | Shanxi | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport | Taiyuan City, Datong City | |
| 50 | Heilongjiang | Harbin Taiping International Airport | Harbin City | |
| 51 | Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei International Airport | Nanchang City, Jingdezhen City | |
| 52 | Guangxi | Nanning Wuxu International Airport | 12 Cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin | |
| 53 | Guangxi | Guilin Liangjiang International Airport | 12 Cities (same as above) | |
| 54 | Guangxi | Beihai Fucheng Airport | 12 Cities (same as above) | |
| 55 | Guangxi | Beihai Seaport (Passenger Terminal) | 12 Cities (same as above) | |
| 56 | Sichuan | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | 11 Cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, Ziyang | |
| 57 | Sichuan | Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | 11 Cities (same as above) | |
| 58 | Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport | 9 Cities/Prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, Lijiang | |
| 59 | Yunnan | Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | 9 Cities/Prefectures (same as above) | |
| 60 | Yunnan | Mohan Railway Port | 9 Cities/Prefectures (same as above) |
How Is the 240-Hour Period Calculated?
The time limit is calculated very precisely:
- It starts at 00:00 the day after your actual arrival.
- Example: If you land in Shanghai at 15:00 on June 1, the clock starts at 00:00 on June 2. Your stay can last until 23:59 on June 11, giving you almost 10.5 days in practice.
What Documents Should You Prepare Before Departure?
When applying for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, it’s crucial to prepare the right documents. Border officers are strict about details, and missing information can result in refusal of entry. Here’s a comprehensive checklist:
1. Core Required Documents (Essential – No Exceptions)
Valid International Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay
in China.
- Must contain at least two blank visa pages.
- Confirmed Onward Flight or Ship Ticket
- ❌ Not allowed: open-ended or standby tickets.
- ✅ Must show: passenger’s full name, flight/vessel number, departure date, destination, and seat confirmation.
- Departure from China must be within 240 hours after entry.
2. Strongly Recommended Supporting Documents (Highly Advisable to Carry)
- Hotel Reservation Confirmation
- Purpose: To show border officers your detailed plan and accommodation arrangements, proving you are a genuine short-term visitor.
- Requirements:
- Must cover your entire stay in China.
- If you plan to visit multiple cities, prepare hotel bookings for all destinations.
- Detailed Travel Itinerary
- Purpose: To support your declared travel purpose.
- Requirements:
- Can be simple but should outline the cities, attractions, and approximate dates of your visit.
- Printed version preferred for easier inspection.
- Proof of Entry Eligibility for the Third Country
- Purpose: To prove you are able to enter your onward destination country or region.
- Requirements:
- If a visa is required for your nationality (e.g., U.S. visa, Australian visa), carry a valid visa in your passport.
- If the destination is visa-free or offers visa on arrival (e.g., Thailand, Indonesia for most Western nationals), prepare:
- Printed copy of the country’s visa-free policy or visa-on-arrival policy.
- Supporting materials such as sufficient cash, return tickets, or hotel bookings to satisfy border officers if questioned.
What Are the Key Takeaways and Practical Tips?
- Plan Smartly: You can safely include Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan in your visa-free transit journey. These regions count as valid “third countries/regions” under the 240-hour policy.
- Check Your Ports: The most important step is to make sure both your entry and exit ports are among the 60 designated airports, seaports, or railway stations that support the policy.
- Print All Tickets: Always carry printed flight or ship confirmations for your full journey (for example: Home Country → Shanghai, Shanghai → Hong Kong). Border officers must be able to clearly see your itinerary.
- Prepare Proofs: Hotel bookings, travel plans, and proof of entry to your third country (visa, visa-free policy, or landing visa requirements) will all help smooth the process.
- Use Expert Help: If you’re unsure how to design your route, the easiest solution is to rely on a professional travel agency.
👉 With Big Panda Tours, you don’t have to stress over visa rules. We plan everything in advance—routes, hotels, and transfers—so your trip runs smoothly. Even if you plan to stay longer than 10 days, we can help you arrange your journey in a way that keeps it 100% visa-free. Contact us today and enjoy worry-free travel!
FAQs
- Does “third country or region” include Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan?
Yes. For the purpose of this policy, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are considered separate “third regions.” For example, Los Angeles → Beijing → Hong Kong works. - Can I use any type of transport—plane, ship, or train?
Yes. The policy applies to international flights, cruise ships, and cross-border trains—as long as you enter and exit through one of the 60 designated ports. - What activities are allowed during the 240-hour stay?
You can travel, go sightseeing, attend business meetings, visit family, or take part in cultural exchanges. However, you cannot work, study long-term, or conduct journalism. - What happens if I do not have a ticket to a third country when I arrive?
Without proof of an onward ticket, you will not be granted visa-free entry. Immigration officers will likely deny entry, and you may be required to stay in the airport transit area until your next confirmed flight. - What if I cannot leave within 240 hours? Can I extend my stay?
Normally, the policy cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a visa in advance. In exceptional situations—such as flight cancellations, medical emergencies, or natural disasters—you can apply for a temporary stay permit at the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. Otherwise, overstaying may result in fines, detention, or problems obtaining future visas.
