The National Immigration Administration of China has announced an exciting update to its visa-free transit policy(Refer to the Chinese notice), effective from December 17, 2024. The policy now extends the duration of visa-free transit stays for foreign travelers from the previous 72 or 144 hours to an impressive 240 hours (10 days). Additionally, 21 new ports of entry have been added for visa-free transit, and the allowed travel regions have been expanded to permit cross-regional (inter-provincial) travel. Travelers can now freely arrange their itineraries within the permitted areas.
The Immigration Administration observed that over 80% of travelers previously stayed until the very end of their visa-free period and noted that many foreign visitors wished for more time to explore China’s rich culture and diverse destinations. In response, this updated policy offers more flexibility, allowing transit travelers to make the most of their time in China. Whether you’re passing through or planning an extended stopover, you can now enjoy even more of what this incredible country has to offer.
What are the requirements for transit visa exemption?
1. The traveler must be a citizen of one of the following 54 countries eligible for the transit visa exemption policy.
European countries (40): 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.
American countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
Oceania countries (2): Australia, New Zealand.
Asian countries (6): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar.
2. Hold a valid international travel document.
The traveler must hold a valid international travel document (passport) with at least 3 months of validity, and meet the entry requirements for the third country (or region) they are traveling to.
3. Hold a confirmed onward ticket with a specified date and seat.
The traveler must hold a confirmed onward ticket or relevant documentation with a specified date and seat for travel to a third country (or region) within 240 hours.
Foreign nationals who meet the above conditions are not required to apply for a Chinese visa in advance. They can directly apply for a transit visa exemption at one of the 60 designated ports of entry, such as Beijing and Shanghai, by submitting their request to the border control authorities. The authorities will quickly process their temporary entry procedures, and the visa exemption stay will be calculated from midnight of the day following entry. For individuals who are eligible for visa exemption based on bilateral agreements or China’s unilateral visa exemption policy, the relevant regulations will apply.
After entry, travelers can stay across provinces within designated areas in 24 provinces (regions, cities) where the transit visa exemption policy applies. They must depart from any of the 60 designated ports of entry to a third country or region within the specified time.
Ports of entry and stay areas applicable to the transit visa exemption policy
| Provinces (Regions, Cities) | Applicable Ports of Entry | Stay and Activity Areas |
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport Port, Beijing Daxing International Airport Port | Beijing |
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport Port, Tianjin Port (Passenger) | Tianjin |
| Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport Port, Qinhuangdao Port (Passenger) | Hebei Province |
| Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport Port, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Port, Dalian Port (Passenger) | Liaoning Province |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Port, Shanghai Pudong International Airport Port, Shanghai Port (Passenger) | Shanghai |
| Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou International Airport Port, Sunan Shuofang International Airport Port, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport Port, Lianyungang Port (Passenger) | Jiangsu Province |
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Port, Ningbo Lishe International Airport Port, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport Port, Yiwu Airport Port, Wenzhou Port (Passenger), Zhoushan Port (Passenger) | Zhejiang Province |
| Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport Port, Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Port | Anhui Province |
| Fujian | Fuzhou Changle International Airport Port, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Port, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport Port, Wuyishan Airport Port, Xiamen Port (Passenger) | Fujian Province |
| Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport Port, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport Port, Yantai Penglai International Airport Port, Weihai Dashuibo International Airport Port, Qingdao Port (Passenger) | Shandong Province |
| Henan | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport Port | Henan Province |
| Hubei | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport Port | Hubei Province |
| Hunan | Changsha Huanghua International Airport Port, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport Port | Hunan Province |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Port, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport Port, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport Port, Nansha Port (Passenger), Shekou Port (Passenger) | Guangdong Province(You can depart from any open port of entry in the entire province.) |
| Hainan | Haikou Meilan International Airport Port, Sanya Phoenix International Airport Port | Hainan Province |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Port | Chongqing |
| Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport Port | Guizhou Province |
| Shaanxi(陕西) | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Port | Shaanxi Province |
| Shanxi(山西) | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport Port | Taiyuan City, Datong City |
| Heilongjiang | Harbin Taiping International Airport Port | Harbin City |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei International Airport Port | Nanchang City, Jingdezhen City |
| Guangxi | Nanning Wuxu International Airport Port, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport Port, Beihai Fucheng Airport Port, Beihai Port (Passenger) | The 12 cities including Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin. |
| Sichuan | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Port, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Port | The 11 cities including Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, and Ziyang. |
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport Port, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Port, Mohan Railway Port | The 9 cities and prefectures including Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang. |
What Activities Can Be Conducted?
Foreign nationals holding a 240-hour transit visa exemption can engage in the following activities: tourism, business, visits, and family reunions.
Please note: Activities such as work, study, and journalism require prior approval and must be conducted with the appropriate visa.
Phone Consultation
For any questions related to entry and exit, you can call +86 12367. This is the consultation hotline provided by the National Immigration Administration of China, offering assistance on immigration management, entry-exit policies, suggestions, and other related matters. The hotline provides “7×24” hour round-the-clock multilingual human services.
Travel Tips
This is a great season to visit Beijing. If you encounter snow, you can experience the romantic snow-covered Forbidden City, which offers a unique charm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the 240-hour transit visa exemption stay calculated?
The 240-hour stay is not calculated from the time of entry but from midnight of the day after entry, ending at 24:00 on the 10th day. For example, if a foreign national enters at 10:00 AM on January 1st, the 240-hour period starts at midnight on January 2nd, and ends at 24:00 on January 11th. Staying beyond this time will be considered illegal residence.
What should I do if I need to extend my stay due to force majeure (e.g., lost documents)?
In this case, you should go to the local Public Security Bureau’s exit and entry management department as soon as possible to apply for an extension of stay. For further inquiries, you can also call the 24-hour service hotline of the National Immigration Administration at +86 12367.