China 240 Hours Visa-free Transit Policy

Starting December 17, 2024, China extends its visa-free transit stay to 240 hours (10 days), up from 72 and 144 hours. The policy adds 21 new ports, allowing travelers from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the UK, the US, and Canada, to enter via 60 ports across 24 provinces and stay within designated areas for up to 10 days when transiting to a third country or region.

All content on this page has been updated according to the new policy released on December 17, 2024.

What's new in the policy?

Extended Stay Duration

The original 72-hour and 144-hour stays are now extended to 240 hours.

Increased Applicable Ports

The number of ports has increased from 39 to 60.

Expanded Activity Areas

The permitted areas have expanded from 19 provinces to 24.

Enhanced Regional Connectivity

Cross-province travel is now allowed within the designated activity areas.

To optimize the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, the National Immigration Administration offers the following key points:

1. Eligible Ports: Travelers from 54 countries can enter via any of 60 designated ports, such as Beijing and Shanghai. Other ports are excluded.

2. Entry Requirements: A valid passport (minimum 3 months), pre-booked tickets to a third country within 240 hours, and approval at  border inspection are required.

3. Activity Restrictions: Travelers can explore within the permitted 24 provinces but must not exceed designated areas.

4. Stay Regulations: Register accommodation within 24 hours and comply with Chinese laws. Stays cannot exceed 240 hours unless approved for emergencies or special circumstances.     
        

Guidance leaflets, a 24/7 multilingual hotline (+86 12367), and an online service platform provide support to enhance travel convenience.

Who are the 54 eligible countries for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy?

• 40 countries in European: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.

• 6 countries in the Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

• 2 countries in Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.

• 6 countries in Asia: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.

   

What documents are required for the application?

1.    Valid passport/travel document for at least 3 months from the date of entry.

2.    Confirmed ticket to a third country/region.

3.    Visa for a third country/region (if necessary).

4.    A completed arrival/departure card (including name, nationality, passport/visa number and place of issue, flight number, purpose of visit, date of birth, gender).

Which cities can I travel to with 240-hour visa-free transit pass?

Below is a full list of the permitted areas for the 240-hour visa-free transit passes. Many of these areas allow visits to multiple cities and entry/exit from any of the listed ports within the area, enabling you to make the most of your 10-day stay.

Transiting visa-exempt passengers are allowed to stay for up to 240 hours across 24 provinces (regions, cities).

How to apply for visa-free transit:

1. Inform the carrier upon boarding.

2. Fill out an arrival/departure card.

3. Request the 24/72/144-hour visa-free stay permit upon arrival.

4. Claim your luggage (if necessary).

5. Pass through customs.

6. Exit the airport.

Frequently asked questions

How is the 240-hour transit visa exemption period calculated?

Count from 00:00 on the following day after arrival. It means that your stay time can be more than 240 hours.

Example: If you arrive at 8:00 PM on August 1st, the counting of hours will start from 12:00 AM on August 2nd, and you can stay until 11:59 PM on August 11th for taking 240-hour transit visa.

Under what circumstances can the visa-free transit be denied?

a) Chinese laws or administrative regulations prohibit your entry into the country;
b) your passport or other international travel document will expire within three months of your planned arrival in China, or contains a previous rejection stamp by a Chinese visa-issuing agency; c) you have illegally entered or exited China, resided in China without permission, or worked illegally in China within the past five years;
d) you have violated accommodation registration rules within the past two years and the violation was deemed "severe";
e) you are not traveling to a third country after leaving China, as the visa-free transit policy only applies to travelers in transit to a third country.
f) Additionally, crew members of international aircraft or ships and their accompanying family members are not eligible for the 144-hour visa-free policy.

I don't have a plan to go to a third country. Any chance to get the transit pass?

The transit route is Country A - Mainland China - Country /Region C.  China Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are considered as the third region. You can make most of the policy to plan the route without going to a third country: Country A - Mainland China – China Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau – country A.