China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Complete 2026 Guide
China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy lets citizens from 55 countries stay up to 10 days — without a visa — as long as you're passing through to a third country. It's one of the most generous transit policies in Asia, and it's perfect for a short city trip in Shanghai, Beijing, or Guangzhou. Here's exactly how it works.
In this guide
How the 240-Hour Policy Works
The 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy allows eligible travelers to enter China without a visa, as long as they meet a few key requirements:
✅ You hold a passport from one of the 55 eligible countries
✅ You have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (not the country you came from)
✅ You enter and exit through one of the 65 designated ports
✅ You stay within the approved regions (24 provinces/cities)
✅ You depart within 240 hours of the day after arrival
How the clock works
The 240-hour countdown starts at midnight the day after you arrive. If you land on March 1st at 11pm, the clock starts at midnight on March 2nd, and you must leave by 11:59pm on March 12th. That gives you a full 10 days to explore.
Important: Overstaying even by one hour is taken seriously. Immigration may fine you, detain you, or ban you from future visa-free transit. Always give yourself a buffer and plan to depart at least a few hours before the deadline.
Eligible Countries (55 Total)
Citizens from the following 55 countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy:
Americas (6)
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Europe (40)
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus, Norway, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus
Asia-Pacific (7)
Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Qatar
Africa (2)
South Africa, Mauritius
Not sure if you qualify? Use our Visa Checker to instantly find out which policy applies to your nationality.
The "Third Country" Rule
This is the most misunderstood part of the policy. You must be traveling from one country, through China, to a third country. The country you're going to next cannot be the same country you came from.
Examples that work
✅ USA → Shanghai → Japan (three different countries)
✅ UK → Beijing → Thailand (three different countries)
✅ South Korea → Guangzhou → Singapore (three different countries)
Examples that DON'T work
❌ USA → Shanghai → USA (same origin and destination)
❌ Japan → Beijing → Japan (same origin and destination — this is a round trip, not a transit)
Pro tip
Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan count as "third countries" for this policy. So USA → Shanghai → Hong Kong is valid. This makes it very easy to book a cheap onward flight and adds another destination to your trip.
Entry Ports (65 Total)
You can enter and exit China through any of the 65 designated ports. The most common ones for international travelers:
Major airports
Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Kunming Changshui (KMG), Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN), Wuhan Tianhe (WUH), Qingdao Jiaodong (TAO), and many more.
Rail
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station — you can take the high-speed rail from Hong Kong directly into Shenzhen or Guangzhou and use the 240-hour transit policy at the border checkpoint.
Sea ports
Shanghai Port, Tianjin Port, Xiamen Port, and several others. Cruise ship passengers can also use designated sea ports.
Can You Travel Between Cities?
Yes — but only within the 24 approved administrative regions. As of 2026, these are:
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia
This covers the vast majority of places tourists want to visit — Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Kunming, and more.
Tibet is NOT included. You cannot visit Tibet on a 240-hour visa-free transit. Tibet requires a separate Tibet Travel Permit, which requires a Chinese visa. Xinjiang is also not on the list.
240-Hour Transit vs. 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
China now offers two major visa-free options. Here's how they compare:
| 240-Hour Transit | 30-Day Visa-Free | |
|---|---|---|
| Max stay | 10 days | 30 days |
| Onward ticket required? | Yes, to a third country | No |
| Can return home directly? | No | Yes |
| Movement restrictions | 24 regions | Nationwide |
| Best for | Layovers, short city trips | Full vacations, business trips |
Which should you use?
If your country qualifies for 30-day visa-free entry, use that instead — it's simpler and more flexible. The 240-hour transit is best for countries not on the 30-day list, or when you already have a multi-stop itinerary through Asia.
At the Border: What to Expect
The process at immigration is straightforward. Expect it to take 20-40 minutes total:
Pick up an arrival card on the plane or at the immigration hall. Fill in your personal details, flight info, and accommodation address in China.
Join the "Foreigners" immigration line. When you reach the counter, present your passport, completed arrival card, and your onward ticket (printed or on your phone).
The officer will verify your eligibility, confirm your third-country destination, and stamp your passport with a "240-hour stay" permit noting your allowed regions and departure deadline.
Collect your luggage and proceed through customs. You're in China — no visa needed.
Tip
Have your hotel address ready in Chinese characters. Immigration may ask where you're staying. A screenshot of your hotel booking works perfectly.
What to Do After Landing
You've cleared immigration — now make the most of your 10 days. Here are your top priorities:
1. Get a SIM card or eSIM
You need a Chinese phone number for almost everything — WeChat, Alipay, maps, ride-hailing. SIM card guide →
2. Set up mobile payments
China runs on WeChat Pay and Alipay. Many places don't accept international credit cards. Payment setup guide →
3. Complete police registration
You must register your accommodation within 24 hours — even on visa-free transit. Hotels do it automatically; if you're in an Airbnb or friend's place, you'll need to visit the local police station. Police registration guide →
Want a step-by-step checklist? Our 72-Hour Task Flow walks you through everything you need to do in your first three days — from SIM cards to police registration to setting up apps.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
→ Booking a return flight to the same country. You must fly onward to a third country. USA → China → USA does not qualify.
→ Miscounting the 240 hours. The clock starts at midnight the day after arrival, not when you land. But don't cut it close — aim to depart well before the deadline.
→ Traveling to a non-approved region. If you leave the 24 approved regions, you're violating the terms. Stick to the list — it covers almost everywhere tourists want to go.
→ Not having a printed or digital onward ticket. Immigration may ask to see it. Have it ready on your phone or printed out.
→ Skipping police registration. Even on a 10-day transit, the 24-hour accommodation registration rule applies. Hotels handle it, but non-hotel stays require a police station visit.
→ Assuming you can extend your stay. The 240-hour transit cannot be extended. If you need more time, you must leave and re-enter (with a valid third-country routing) or apply for a visa.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to take advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit? Here's where to start:
→ Visa Checker — Confirm which visa-free policy applies to your nationality
→ Before-You-Fly Checklist — Everything to prepare before your trip
→ First 72 Hours Task Flow — Step-by-step guide for your first days in China
Disclaimer: This guide is based on publicly available information from China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) as of March 2026. Visa policies can change without notice. Always verify current requirements with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before traveling. LandingIn is not responsible for entry denials or policy changes.
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