If you're flying through China on your way to another country, you may not need a visa at all. China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy lets citizens of 55 countries enter and stay for up to 10 days without arranging a visa in advance — as long as you meet the transit conditions.
This guide covers every eligible nationality, every designated port of entry, the stay regions you're restricted to, and the logistics you need to sort before landing. All data is sourced from China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) and verified against current policy as of mid-2025.
What Is the 240-Hour Transit Policy?
The 240-hour transit without visa (TWOV) policy, fully expanded on December 17, 2024, replaced the previous 72-hour and 144-hour transit schemes with a single 240-hour window. It allows eligible nationals to enter China visa-free through designated ports, stay within specific administrative regions, and depart within 10 days.
The core conditions are strict:
- You must be transiting to a third country. Your itinerary must be Country A → China → Country B. Flying from the US to China and back to the US does not qualify. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a different country (e.g., US → China → Japan).
- You must enter and exit through designated ports. There are currently 65 approved ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
- You must stay within your designated region. If you enter through Shanghai, you can travel within Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui — but you cannot go to Beijing or Guangdong on that entry.
- The clock starts when you clear immigration, not when your plane lands. If you clear immigration at 2:00 PM on June 1, you must depart by 2:00 PM on June 11.
You can use the stay for tourism, business meetings, visiting family, or cultural exchanges. Work, study, and journalism still require separate visas.
Complete List of 55 Eligible Nationalities
The following countries are eligible per the NIA's official list. The policy applies to ordinary passport holders.
Europe (40 countries)
Schengen Area (25 countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Other European countries (15 countries): Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Americas (6 countries)
Canada, United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico.
Asia-Pacific (9 countries)
Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates.
A note on verification: This list can change. China has expanded eligibility multiple times — Indonesia was added in the December 2024 expansion. Before booking, check the current list on the NIA website (en.nia.gov.cn) or use the LocalKey visa eligibility tool. If your nationality isn't listed, you'll need a standard tourist visa (L visa), which takes approximately 4 business days at a Chinese consulate.
Which Ports of Entry Accept the 240-Hour Policy?
There are 65 designated ports across 24 provinces and municipalities. Not every airport or border crossing in China qualifies — only the officially listed ones.
Major international airports (partial list)
- Beijing: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
- Shanghai: Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
- Guangzhou: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Shenzhen: Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
- Chengdu: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
- Xi'an: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
- Kunming: Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)
- Chongqing: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
- Hangzhou: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
- Nanjing: Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
- Wuhan: Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
- Xiamen: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
Recently added ports (November 2025)
Five ports in Guangdong were added in November 2025: Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal (Guangzhou), Hengqin Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port, and Zhongshan Port. These additions make it significantly easier to enter Guangdong from Hong Kong or Macau under the transit policy.
Other notable ports
The full list includes airports in Taiyuan (Shanxi), Hefei and Huangshan (Anhui), Fuzhou and Quanzhou (Fujian), Nanchang (Jiangxi), Jinan, Yantai, and Weihai (Shandong), Zhangjiajie (Hunan), Nanning and Beihai (Guangxi), Haikou and Sanya (Hainan), and Guiyang (Guizhou). Land and sea ports are also included in select border regions.
The critical rule: your entry port determines your stay region. You cannot freely move across China. See the next section for details.
Stay Regions: Where You Can Go After Entry
The 240-hour policy covers 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. Cross-province travel is permitted — but only within the designated areas associated with your entry port.
Region groupings
- Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei: Enter via Beijing or Tianjin, travel across all three.
- Yangtze River Delta: Enter via Shanghai, Nanjing, or Hangzhou — travel across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui.
- Guangdong Province: Enter via Guangzhou, Shenzhen, or the new Guangdong ports — travel across the entire province.
- Sichuan-Chongqing: Enter via Chengdu or Chongqing, travel across both.
- Yunnan Province: Enter via Kunming, travel across the province.
- Shandong Province: Enter via Jinan, Yantai, or Weihai — travel across the province.
- Fujian Province: Enter via Fuzhou, Xiamen, or Quanzhou — travel across the entire province.
- Hainan Province: Enter via Haikou or Sanya — travel across the entire island.
Other provinces with designated areas include Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Shaanxi, Shanxi (limited to Taiyuan and Datong), Jiangxi (limited to Nanchang and Jingdezhen), and Guizhou.
The most common mistake: entering via Shanghai and assuming you can take a high-speed train to Beijing. You cannot. Beijing is in a separate administrative region. If you want to visit both cities, you need a regular visa — or two separate transit entries with a flight to a third country in between.
Time Limit and Calculation
The 240-hour clock starts the moment you clear immigration — the stamp on your entry card is the official timestamp. Here's how to count:
Example: You clear immigration at Shanghai Pudong at 3:00 PM on March 10. You must depart China by 3:00 PM on March 20 — that's exactly 240 hours (10 days).
A few things to keep in mind:
- Day 1 counts. The day you enter is Day 1, not Day 0.
- No extensions. The 240-hour period is fixed. You cannot extend it at a local Entry-Exit Bureau (出入境管理局). If your plans change and you need more time, you must leave before the deadline or risk fines and potential entry bans.
- Plan for delays. Build in a buffer. If your 240 hours expire at 3:00 PM on a Tuesday, don't book a 2:50 PM flight. Weather, traffic, and check-in queues exist. Aim to depart at least 12–24 hours before your deadline.
- Overstaying consequences: Fines start at CNY 500 per day of overstay, with possible detention and future entry bans for longer overstays. China takes this seriously.
Practical Tips for Using the Policy
Documents to prepare before travel
- Valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity from your entry date.
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country — a flight, train, or ship booking with a specific date within the 240-hour window. A hotel booking alone is not sufficient. The ticket must leave China entirely, not just go to another Chinese city.
- Hotel booking confirmation — not always checked, but having the address in Chinese characters on your phone speeds up the immigration process.
- Arrival card — as of November 2025, you can fill this out online via the NIA 12367 app, WeChat mini-program, or Alipay mini-program before arrival. This replaces the paper card and saves time at immigration.
At the port of entry
When you arrive, proceed to the dedicated visa-free transit lane (usually marked with signage in English). Present your passport and onward ticket. The immigration officer will stamp your passport with the entry date and permitted stay period.
Some ports may ask for proof of accommodation. Having a printed or digital hotel confirmation ready prevents delays.
During your stay
- Register with local police within 24 hours of arrival. If you're staying at a hotel, this happens automatically. If you're staying with friends or at an Airbnb, you must visit the local police station (派出所) to register. Failure to register can result in fines.
- Stay within your designated region. This is monitored. Domestic flights and trains within China require ID, and your transit status is recorded.
- Keep your passport with you at all times. Police checks are uncommon in tourist areas but do happen. Not carrying your passport while on a transit entry is a problem.
Common pitfalls
- No onward ticket: The most frequent reason for denial at immigration. Book a refundable ticket if your plans are flexible — but you need a confirmed booking at the time of entry.
- Wrong port: Not all Chinese airports and border crossings are designated for 240-hour transit. Verify your port before booking.
- Returning to origin: Flying from the US to China and back to the US is not transit. You need a different destination country.
- Overstay by hours, not days: The 240-hour limit is exact. Being 30 minutes late counts as overstaying.
- Assuming all of China is open: You're restricted to your entry region. A Shanghai entry doesn't give you access to Yunnan.
Common Questions and Misconceptions
Can I use the 240-hour policy to visit just China (no third country)? No. The policy requires transit to a third country. If China is your final destination, you need a regular visa.
Can I fly from Japan → China → Japan? No. Japan is both your origin and destination, so this counts as a round trip, not transit. You need Japan → China → a different country.
Do I need a visa for my layover if I'm not leaving the airport? If your layover is under 24 hours and you stay in the airport's transit area, the 24-hour transit policy applies to all nationalities — no visa needed. If you want to leave the airport or your layover exceeds 24 hours, the 240-hour policy applies (if eligible).
Can I apply for an extension once in China? No. The 240 hours are fixed. Visit a local Entry-Exit Bureau before expiry only if you need to arrange an emergency departure — they cannot extend the transit period.
Is the policy the same for all 55 countries? Yes, the conditions are uniform across all 55 eligible nationalities. However, some countries have separate bilateral visa-free agreements (e.g., certain ASEAN nations have mutual visa exemptions with China that operate independently of the transit policy).
Can I work or study during my 240-hour stay? No. Work, study, and journalistic activities require appropriate visas regardless of the transit policy.
Does Hong Kong or Macau count as a "third country" for transit purposes? Yes. Hong Kong and Macau are treated as separate destinations for transit purposes. Flying from the US → China (mainland) → Hong Kong qualifies as valid transit.
How to Verify Your Eligibility (Step-by-Step)
- Check your nationality against the 55-country list above. If you hold dual citizenship, use the passport that's eligible.
- Verify your port of entry is on the designated 65-port list. Check the NIA website (en.nia.gov.cn) or the LocalKey port checker for the current list.
- Confirm your onward ticket departs China within 240 hours and goes to a third country. Book a refundable ticket if your schedule isn't locked in.
- Check your passport validity — at least 6 months remaining from your planned entry date.
- Prepare documents: passport, onward ticket, hotel address in Chinese, and arrival card (fill out online via NIA 12367 app before landing).
Future Changes and Updates
The 240-hour policy was expanded from the previous 144-hour scheme in December 2024, and additional ports were added in November 2025. China has a pattern of gradually broadening transit policies — more countries and ports may be added in future updates.
In November 2025, China also announced the extension of its unilateral visa-free entry policy for 45 countries through December 31, 2026. This is separate from the transit policy and allows direct entry (not just transit) for up to 30 days. If your country is on both lists, you may have more flexibility than the transit policy alone provides.
Check the NIA website before each trip for the latest eligible country list, port additions, and regional expansions. Policy changes are typically announced with short notice.
Conclusion
The 240-hour transit policy is a practical option for travelers passing through China on their way elsewhere. With 55 eligible countries and 65 ports of entry, it covers the most common transit routes. The key rules are straightforward: have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, enter through a designated port, stay within your region, and leave within 240 hours.
Plan your itinerary around these constraints rather than trying to work around them. Verify eligibility before booking, and keep your documents in order at the port of entry.
For personalized route planning or eligibility verification, use the LocalKey visa route tool or contact our logistics team.
Related Guides
- First-Time China Visitor Checklist (2026) — what to set up before you arrive
- Alipay and WeChat Pay Setup for Foreign Visitors — essential payment setup for your transit stay
- Emergency Contacts Every China Traveler Needs — numbers and embassy lines to save offline