What is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows eligible foreign nationals to stay in China for up to 10 days without obtaining a Chinese visa. You can enter through any of 60 ports and travel within 24 permitted provinces. This is currently the longest visa-free transit period available in China.
Major Expansion in 2025!
The 240-hour policy has been significantly expanded! It's now available at 60 ports across 24 provinces nationwide, not just Beijing. This dramatic expansion gives travelers access to nearly all major Chinese cities with a 10-day visa-free stay.
Why Use the 240-Hour Transit?
- ✓ Extended Stay: 10 full days to explore China's major cities and attractions
- ✓ No Visa Application: Skip the lengthy visa application process
- ✓ Cost Savings: No visa fees (typically $140+ for regular visa)
- ✓ Wide Coverage: Access to 60 airports across 24 provinces
- ✓ Stopover Opportunity: Perfect for long layovers or multi-city trips
Eligibility Checklist
You must meet ALL of the following requirements to qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit:
Eligible Nationality
You must hold a passport from one of the 55 eligible countries
Third Country Rule
You must be in transit to a third country/region (not returning to your origin)
Confirmed Onward Flight
You must have a confirmed flight ticket leaving China within 240 hours
Entry/Exit Points
You can enter and exit through ANY of the 60 open ports across China
Stay Within Allowed Provinces
You can travel within the 24 permitted provinces (some allow full province access, others specific cities only)
Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date
55 Eligible Countries
🇪🇺 Europe (40 Countries)
🌎 Americas (6 Countries)
🌏 Asia-Pacific (7 Countries)
🌍 Middle East (2 Countries)
Not Eligible?
If your country is not listed above, you'll need to apply for a regular Chinese visa. Indian, Pakistani, and most African passport holders must obtain a visa in advance.
Required Documents
When arriving at any of the 60 open ports, make sure you have the following documents ready:
Valid Passport
- Must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date
- Must have at least 2 blank pages
- Must be from an eligible country
Confirmed Onward Flight Ticket
- Flight can depart from any of the 60 open ports in China
- Must be within 240 hours (10 days) of arrival
- Destination must be a third country (not your origin)
- Printed or electronic boarding pass accepted
Completed Arrival Card
- Provided on the plane or at immigration
- Fill in all sections accurately
- Indicate "240-hour transit" when asked about visa type
Accommodation Details (Optional but Recommended)
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Address where you'll be staying
- May be requested by immigration officers
Pro Tip
Have all documents printed and ready before approaching immigration. This speeds up the process and shows you're prepared. Keep your onward flight details easily accessible on your phone as backup.
Allowed Travel Areas
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows nationwide travel across 24 provinces. The allowed areas vary by province:
✅ Full Province Access (9 Provinces)
You can travel anywhere within these provinces:
Entire province including Hefei, Huangshan
Entire province including Haikou, Sanya
Entire province including Guiyang
Entire province including Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou
Entire province including Wuhan
Entire province including Xi'an
Entire municipality
Entire municipality
Entire province
🏙️ City-Specific Access (3 Provinces)
You can only travel to specific cities in these provinces:
- Taiyuan (capital)
- Datong
- Nanchang (capital)
- Jingdezhen
- Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin
- Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang
- Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin
- Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin
📍 Other Permitted Provinces (12 More)
The following provinces are included in the 24-province policy:
- Liaoning Province
- Heilongjiang Province
- Shanghai Municipality
- Jiangsu Province
- Zhejiang Province
- Shandong Province
- Henan Province
- Hunan Province
- Guangdong Province
- Chongqing Municipality
- Sichuan Province
- Yunnan Province
Important: The official policy announcement does not specify whether these provinces allow full province access or have city-specific restrictions. Contact the NIA hotline (+86-12367) or check with immigration at your entry port to confirm allowed areas for your specific itinerary.
❌ NOT Allowed (Restricted Areas)
You CANNOT travel to these regions under the 240-hour policy:
- ⛔ Tibet Autonomous Region
- ⛔ Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
- ⛔ Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
- ⛔ Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
- ⛔ Qinghai Province
- ⛔ Gansu Province
- ⛔ Any province not listed in the 24 allowed provinces
Critical Information
Entry/Exit Flexibility: You can enter and exit through ANY of the 60 open ports. You are NOT required to use the same port or regional zone.
Province Restrictions: Traveling outside the 24 permitted provinces will result in violation of your transit permit, potential detention, fines, and deportation.
Verify Before Travel: Always confirm your destination is within allowed areas before booking transport.
Example Itineraries
Canada → Beijing → India
Why it works: Origin (Canada) and destination (India) are different countries. Perfect for 240-hour transit.
⏱️ Stay in Beijing: 8 days
UK → Shanghai → Japan
Why it works: Flying from UK to Japan via Shanghai. Origin and destination are different.
⏱️ Stay in Shanghai: 5 days
USA → Guangzhou → Hong Kong
Why it works: Hong Kong is treated as a "third country/region" for this policy.
⏱️ Stay in Guangzhou: 7 days
USA → Beijing → USA
Why it fails: Both origin and destination are USA. This violates the "third country" rule.
💡 Solution: You would need a regular Chinese visa for this route.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Booking flights with same origin and destination
Example: USA → Beijing → USA. This violates the third-country rule.
✅ Fix: Ensure your final destination is different from your origin country.
Exceeding the 240-hour limit
The countdown starts from midnight of your arrival day, not from actual arrival time.
✅ Fix: Track your time carefully and ensure you depart before the deadline.
Traveling outside the permitted provinces
Attempting to visit provinces not on the list of 24 permitted provinces (e.g., Tibet, Xinjiang, Gansu).
✅ Fix: Verify your destination is within the 24 allowed provinces before traveling. Check province-specific restrictions (some allow full access, others specific cities only).
Not having proof of onward travel
Arriving without a confirmed flight ticket out of China.
✅ Fix: Always have a confirmed, paid booking before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the 240-hour transit multiple times?
Yes, there's technically no limit on how many times you can use the transit visa-free policy. However, frequent use may raise questions from immigration officers about your intentions. It's best used for genuine transit purposes.
Can I enter and exit through different airports?
Yes! You can enter and exit through ANY of the 60 open ports across China. For example, you can enter through Beijing and exit through Shanghai, or enter through Guangzhou and exit through Chengdu. You are NOT restricted to using the same port or regional zone.
What happens if I miss my outbound flight?
If you miss your flight and your 240-hour period expires, you'll be in China illegally. Contact the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) immediately. You may face fines, detention, or deportation. Always have backup plans and travel insurance.
Does Hong Kong or Macau count as a third country?
Yes! For the purposes of this transit policy, Hong Kong and Macau are treated as separate regions from mainland China. Flights to/from Hong Kong or Macau qualify as third country destinations.
Can I take domestic flights within the permitted region?
Domestic flights within China are generally NOT recommended for visa-free transit travelers, as it may complicate your status. Use ground transportation (high-speed train, bus, car) to travel within the 24 permitted provinces. If you must take a domestic flight, consult with immigration officials first.
Do I need hotel bookings before arrival?
While not always strictly required, it's highly recommended to have hotel confirmations ready. Immigration officers may ask where you'll be staying. Having bookings shows you're prepared and increases your chances of smooth entry.
Can I extend my 240-hour transit once in China?
No, the 240-hour transit cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a regular Chinese visa before traveling. Plan your itinerary carefully to fit within the 10-day window.
What if my connecting flight has two stops in China?
It depends. The 240-hour policy allows travel within 24 permitted provinces. If your connecting flight is between two cities within these permitted areas (e.g., Beijing to Shanghai), it is generally allowed. However, you must ensure both cities are covered by the policy. Always confirm with your airline and the NIA hotline (+86-12367) as rules for domestic transfers can be strict.
Which provinces allow full travel access?
9 provinces allow you to travel anywhere within the province: Anhui, Hainan, Guizhou, Fujian, Hubei, Shaanxi, Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. In contrast, some provinces like Shanxi (Taiyuan and Datong only) and Jiangxi (Nanchang and Jingdezhen only) have city-specific restrictions.
Is Indonesia now eligible for the 240-hour policy?
Yes! Indonesia was recently added to the list of eligible countries, bringing the total to 55 nationalities. Indonesian passport holders can now use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
What provinces were newly added in 2025?
5 provinces were newly added: Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou. The number of allowed provinces increased from 19 to 24, and the number of open ports expanded from 39 to 60.
Official Source
This guide is based on the official announcement from the National Immigration Administration of China (NIA), via the Chinese Embassy in Canada.
For the most current information:
- Call NIA 24/7 Hotline: +86-12367 (Available in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Russian, Japanese, and Korean)
- Visit: Official Embassy Announcement
Visa-free entry policies may be subject to change. Always verify before your trip.