China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Guide 2026
Stay up to 10 days across 24 regions — no visa needed
TL;DR: Since December 2024, China upgraded its transit policy from 144 hours (6 days) to 240 hours (10 days). 55 countries are eligible. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. 65 ports across 24 provincial regions are now open. This is the easiest way to visit China for a short trip without applying for a visa.
What is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows citizens of 55 countries to stay in designated regions of China for up to 10 days without applying for a visa — as long as they are transiting to a third country or region (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan).
📢 Updated Dec 2024: On December 17, 2024, China expanded the policy from 144 hours (6 days) to 240 hours (10 days), increased eligible ports from ~40 to 65, and expanded coverage from select cities to 24 provincial-level regions.
Key Points at a Glance
- Duration: Up to 240 hours (10 days). Counted from midnight of the day AFTER arrival.
- Eligible countries: 55 countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most EU nations.
- Ports of entry/exit: 65 ports across 24 regions — airports, seaports, and railway stations.
- Where you can go: 24 provincial-level regions. Cross-province travel IS allowed within permitted areas.
- What you need: Valid passport (3+ months), confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and the entry card filled at the port.
- Who it's for: Tourism, business visits, family visits, or cultural exchanges — NOT for employment or long-term study.
55 Eligible Countries
Citizens of the following 55 countries are eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit:
Europe (40 countries)
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
Americas (6 countries)
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Asia (7 countries)
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia (added June 2025)
Oceania (2 countries)
Australia, New Zealand
How It Works — Step by Step
- Book your transit itinerary: Your trip must be Country A → China → Country B (or Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan). You cannot return directly to where you came from.
- Get your documents ready: Valid passport (3+ months validity) and a confirmed onward ticket (flight, train, or ship) to a third country.
- Tell the airline: When checking in, notify the airline you're using the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
- Arrive in China: Follow signs to border control. Use the dedicated '24/144/240-Hour Transit Without Visa' lane.
- Fill in the arrival card: Complete the temporary entry card at the port.
- Present documents: Show your passport and onward ticket to immigration officers. They may ask about your itinerary.
- Receive entry stamp: Once approved, you'll get an entry stay valid for up to 240 hours.
- Travel within permitted areas: You can move freely within the 24 eligible regions. Cross-province travel is allowed.
- Depart before time expires: Remember: the 240 hours starts counting from midnight of the day after your arrival.
The 240-hour clock starts at midnight (00:00) of the day after your arrival. Example: If you land in Shanghai at 3:00 PM on June 1st, the count starts at 00:00 on June 2nd. You must depart China by 00:00 on June 12th — giving you effectively up to 10 full days plus the remainder of your arrival day.
24 Eligible Regions & Key Ports
Here are the major regions and their key entry ports:
Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei
Ports: Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX)
Covers the capital region, all 3 combined
Shanghai, Jiangsu & Zhejiang
Ports: Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai cruise terminals
Covers the Yangtze River Delta
Guangdong Province
Ports: Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), Hong Kong West Kowloon station, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
Most flexible — entire province open
Sichuan Province
Ports: Chengdu Tianfu (TFU)
Includes Chengdu + 11 cities
Shaanxi Province
Ports: Xi'an Xianyang (XIY)
Terracotta Army accessible
Yunnan Province
Ports: Kunming Changshui (KMG)
Gateway to southern China
Hainan Province
Ports: Multiple ports
Entire island province open
Rules & Restrictions
- Route rule: You MUST be transiting to a third country/region. No round trips (A → China → A).
- No work or study: Only tourism, business visits, family visits, or cultural exchanges.
- Prohibited regions: Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Jilin — you cannot enter these.
- Passport validity: At least 3 months remaining beyond your intended stay.
- Immigration record: Previous overstays or immigration violations may result in denial.
- Exit flexibility: You can enter through one port and exit through another — no need to leave from the same city.
240-Hour Transit vs. 30-Day Visa-Free: Which One Should You Use?
If your country is eligible for China's 30-day unilateral visa-free policy (e.g., most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia — valid until Dec 31, 2026), the 30-day visa-free policy is almost always better since it doesn't require a transit itinerary. Only use 240-hour transit if: (a) your country is NOT on the 30-day visa-free list, or (b) you're making a short layover stop on the way to another destination.
FAQ
Can I leave the airport during the 240-hour transit?
Yes! That's the whole point. You can explore the city, travel cross-province, and stay in hotels — as long as you stay within the 24 eligible regions and leave China before the 240 hours expire.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying is taken seriously. You may face fines (¥500-2,000 per day), detention, and a ban on future entry. Set a reminder to leave well before your time is up.
Can I extend the 240 hours?
No. The 240-hour visa-free transit cannot be extended. If you need more time, you should apply for a regular tourist visa (L visa) before traveling.
Do I need to show hotel bookings or proof of funds?
Not officially required, but immigration officers may ask. It's wise to have your first hotel booking and a rough itinerary ready.
Can I enter through one city and leave from another?
Yes. You can enter at any of the 65 eligible ports and depart from any other. This gives great flexibility for multi-city itineraries.