1
ELIGIBLE NATIONALITY
2
CONFIRMED ONWARD TICKET
3
THIRD COUNTRY OR REGION TICKET
4
DESIGNATED ENTRY PORT
HOW THE 240-HOUR TRANSIT ROUTE WORKS
COUNTRY/REGION A
CHINA STOPOVER
COUNTRY/REGION C
For example: London>Shanghai>Paris
WHAT IS THE 240-HOUR VISA-FREE TRANSIT POLICY?
China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows eligible foreign nationals to enter China temporarily without a visa while transiting to a third country or region. The permitted stay is up to 10 days.
During the permitted stay, travelers may generally engage in short-term activities such as tourism, business, visits and family visits. Work, study, journalism and other activities requiring prior approval still require the appropriate visa.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus and Norway.
The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
Australia and New Zealand.
Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Indonesia.
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
Hold a valid international travel document, normally with at least three months of validity.
Meet the entry requirements for the third country or region of onward travel.
Hold an interline ticket or other confirmed document showing onward travel to a third country or region within 240 hours.
Complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners and cooperate with border inspection checks.
Enter and stay within the policy’s designated ports and permitted areas.
The 240-hour period is generally calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry.
PORTS AND PERMITTED STAY AREAS
Hunan
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | ligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hunan | Changsha Huanghua International Airport | Hunan Province |
| Hunan | Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport | Hunan Province |
Guangdong
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province) |
| Guangdong | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport | Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province) |
| Guangdong | Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province) |
| Guangdong | Nansha Port (Passenger) | Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province) |
| Guangdong | Shekou Port (Passenger) | Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province) |
Hainan
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hainan | Haikou Meilan International Airport | Hainan Province |
| Hainan | Sanya Phoenix International Airport | Hainan Province |
Chongqing
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing Municipality |
Guizhou
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | ligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport | Guizhou Province |
Shaanxi
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Shaanxi | Xi'an Xianyang International Airport | Shaanxi Province |
Heilongjiang
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Heilongjiang | Harbin Taiping International Airport | Harbin City |
Jiangxi
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei International Airport | Nanchang City and Jingdezhen City |
Guangxi
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Guangxi | Nanning Wuxu International Airport | A total of 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin |
| Guangxi | Guilin Liangjiang International Airport | A total of 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin |
| Guangxi | Beihai Fucheng Airport | A total of 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin |
| Guangxi | Beihai Port (Passenger) | A total of 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin |
Sichuan
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Sichuan | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | A total of 11 cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, and Ziyang |
| Sichuan | Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | A total of 11 cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, and Ziyang |
Yuannan
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport | A total of 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
| Yunnan | Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | A total of 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
| Yunnan | Mohan Railway Port | A total of 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
Shanxi
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport | A total of 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
| Yunnan | Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | A total of 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
| Yunnan | Mohan Railway Port | A total of 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
Beijing
| Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|
| Beijing Capital International Airport | Beijing Municipality |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport | Beijing Municipality |
Tianjin
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport | Beijing Municipality |
| Tianjin | Tianjin Port (Passenger) | Beijing Municipality |
Hebei
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport | Hebei Province |
| Hebei | Qinhuangdao Port (Passenger) | Hebei Province |
Liaoning
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Liaoning Province |
| Liaoning | Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | Liaoning Province |
| Liaoning | Dalian Port (Passenger) | Liaoning Province |
Shanghai
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Beijing Municipality |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Shanghai Municipality |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport | Shanghai Municipality |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Port (Passenger) | Shanghai Municipality |
Jiangsu
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | Jiangsu Province |
| Jiangsu | Su'nan Shuofang International Airport | Jiangsu Province |
| Jiangsu | Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport | Jiangsu Province |
| Jiangsu | Lianyungang Port (Passenger) | Jiangsu Province |
Anhui
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport | Anhui Province |
| Anhui | Huangshan Tunxi International Airport | Anhui Province |
Fujian
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Fujian | Fuzhou Changle International Airport | Fujian Province |
| Fujian | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | Fujian Province |
| Fujian | Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport | Fujian Province |
| Fujian | Wuyishan Airport | Fujian Province |
| Fujian | Xiamen Port (Passenger) | Fujian Province |
Shandong
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport | Shandong Province |
| Shandong | Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport | Shandong Province |
| Shandong | Yantai Penglai International Airport | Shandong Province |
| Shandong | Weihai Dashuipo International Airport | Shandong Province |
| Shandong | Qingdao Port (Passenger) | Shandong Province |
Henan
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hunan | Changsha Huanghua International Airport | Hunan Province |
Hubei
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hubei | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Hubei Province |
Zhejiang
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Port | Permitted Stay Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | Zhejiang Province |
| Zhejiang | Ningbo Lishe International Airport | Zhejiang Province |
| Zhejiang | Wenzhou Longwan International Airport | Zhejiang Province |
| Zhejiang | Yiwu Airport | Zhejiang Province |
| Zhejiang | Wenzhou Port (Passenger) | Zhejiang Province |
| Zhejiang | Zhoushan Port (Passenger) | Zhejiang Province |
Tips for Visa-Free Transit Travelers
Choose the Right Transit Port
Use a port that participates in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. Other ports may not process this type of temporary entry.
Prepare the Entry Documents
Carry a passport valid for the required period and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours.
Stay Within the Allowed Area
Plan the route according to the permitted stay area. Do not travel beyond the allowed region unless another valid entry policy applies.
Follow Stay and Registration Rules
Travelers should comply with Chinese laws, complete accommodation registration within 24 hours after arrival, and leave China within the permitted period.
24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
China also applies a 24-hour visa-free transit policy at ports open to foreign nationals. Foreign travelers holding valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets by international aircraft, ship or train may transit through China for no more than 24 hours without a visa if they do not leave the restricted port area.
Travelers who need to leave the restricted port area should apply to the border inspection authority for a temporary entry permit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a ticket to a third country or region?
Yes. A confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours is a core requirement.
Can Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan count as a third region?
They are usually treated as separate regions for transit-route purposes, but travelers should confirm the itinerary with the airline and border authority before departure.
Can I visit multiple Chinese provinces?
Cross-province travel is allowed only within the permitted stay areas designated by the policy.
Can I work or study during visa-free transit?
No. Work, study, journalism and activities requiring prior approval need the appropriate visa.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Visa-free transit policies may change. Eligibility depends on nationality, passport type, route, ticketing, entry port, permitted area and individual circumstances.
This page is for general travel-planning information and is not legal or immigration advice. Travelers should verify the latest requirements with official authorities, airlines or border inspection offices before travel.