Complete Guide to China’s 240-Hour (10-Day) Visa-Free Transit Policy

China has been opening up to foreign travel more and more over the past few years, and living here, I’ve seen more tourists than ever before. To make travel easier for international visitors, the government has expanded both visa-free entry and visa-free transit to travelers from additional countries. 

For most travelers, the most useful of the two to understand is visa-free transit. And it’s been upgraded significantly:

It used to be 72 hours or 144 hours, depending on nationality.

Now it’s been extended to 240 hours, which is 10 days, for all eligible countries.

There are also more places to enter and more places you’re allowed to stay:

• Eligible entry points expanded from 39 to 65 ports.
• Allowed stay areas expanded from 19 province-level regions to 24.

Put simply, you have more time, more options for entry, and it now includes most of China’s biggest, most popular destinations.

Getting around once you’re here is easy, as China’s high-speed rail network and domestic flights are very convenient. If you plan your route well, 10 days is enough to visit multiple cities and still enjoy your time in each one.

So if you’re already planning a trip to multiple countries and want to add China into your itinerary, the 240-hour visa-free transit option can make things a lot easier. In this guide, I’ll break down the key points so you can take advantage of this policy. If anything still feels unclear after you read on, feel free to leave me a question in the comments.

What exactly is China’s 240-hour visa-free transit?

If you’re a citizen of an eligible country and can show that you’ll continue onward to a third country or region within 240 hours, you may be able to enter China without applying for a visa in advance, and stay for up to 10 days, as long as you remain within the designated areas of mainland China.

1) Check if your country is on the list

As of now, the 240-hour visa-free transit policy applies to citizens of 55 countries. The policy can change, so make sure your passport country is on the most up-to-date list right before your trip—better than finding out at the airport that you don’t qualify.

Countries eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit:

2) Pick the right port of entry

This is important: you can’t use the 240-hour visa-free transit program at every entry point in China. Before you leave, double-check that the airport, train station, or seaport you plan to enter through is on the approved list.

Currently, the policy is available at 65 designated ports across specific areas in 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. Most major ports in popular cities are included, but be absolutely sure that your itinerary qualifies before your trip. 

3) Proof of onward travel to a third country or region (by flight/train/ship)

To use visa-free transit, you’ll need to show a confirmed onward ticket. Most travelers use a flight itinerary confirmation, but a train ticket or ferry/ship ticket can also work.

Your onward ticket must meet these requirements:

• Departure within 240 hours (counted from the official start time—covered in the next section).
• Your details match your documents (name, date, flight/train/ship number, booking/confirmation number, etc.).
• Your destination is a “third country or region,” meaning outside mainland China (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are treated as qualifying regions for transit purposes).

Important: a round trip is not “transit”

A qualifying visa-free transit itinerary is:

A → Mainland China → B

In which:

A = the place you enter mainland China from (your last stop outside mainland China)

B = the place you go after leaving mainland China (your next stop outside mainland China)

And location B must be different from location A.

Examples that qualify as transit (entry and exit are different)

• New York → Beijing → Guangzhou → Hong Kong
• Paris → Tokyo → Shanghai → Kuala Lumpur
• London → Hong Kong → Guilin → Chengdu → Singapore
• Hong Kong → Mainland China → Macau

These examples qualify because you arrive from one place and leave mainland China to go on to a different place. While you’re in China, you can travel around (for example, by high-speed rail or domestic flights) within the areas the policy allows.

Examples that don’t quality as transit (round trip)

• New York → Beijing → Guangzhou → New York
• Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Hong Kong

With these itineraries, you return to the same place as the original departure, so they’re considered round trip and not transit. 

Pro-tip: using Hong Kong/Macau as a transfer point can add flexibility

If 10 days in China feels too short, you can use Hong Kong or Macau (or another nearby destination) as a break in your route. (Hong Kong and Macau are Special Administrative Regions of China and have separate immigration controls from mainland China.) As long as you still follow the A → China → B rule, this can allow you to use the 240-hour visa-free transit more than once.

Example:

New York → Shanghai → Hong Kong → Guangzhou → New York

By stopping in Hong Kong in between, you can use two separate 240-hour transit periods. Hong Kong and Macau are right next to mainland China, so using them as transfer points is convenient and relatively low-cost.

4) How the 240 hours are counted: from 12:00 a.m. (Beijing Time) the day after you enter

People often assume that the 240 hours start ticking as soon as you land in China, but this is not actually the case. Instead, the 240-hour window starts at 12:00 a.m. (Beijing Time/China Standard Time, UTC+8) on the day after you enter mainland China.

Example:
If you arrive at 3:00 p.m. on January 20, 2026, your 240 hours start at:
12:00 a.m. (Beijing Time) on January 21, 2026.

5) Can you travel between provinces? Yes — but only within the approved areas in those 24 regions

Once you enter China through an eligible port, you can travel between cities, and even across provinces, as long as you stay within the policy’s approved areas. You can also exit from a different eligible port than the one you entered through.

For example, you could enter in Beijing → travel to Guangzhou → depart from Guangzhou, as long as:

Your total stay is no longer than 240 hours, and

Every city/area you visit is within the approved zones across those 24 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (always check the official list before you finalize your route).

Using the 240-hour visa-free transit: apply at the port after your arrival

You don’t need to submit an online application for the 240-hour visa-free transit in advance. If you qualify, you handle it after you land at one of the 65 eligible ports, right at the immigration inspection counter.

What to have ready when you arrive

To make the immigration checkpoint go smoothly, have these ready before you get to the counter:

• Passport: must be valid for at least 3 more months, have at least one blank page, and be a regular passport issued by one of the 55 eligible countries.
• Proof of onward travel: a flight/train/ship ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours, showing you’ll exit mainland China on time.
• Visa or entry approval for your next destination (if required): if your next destination requires a visa/permit for your nationality, immigration may ask to see it.

Note: temporary passports and travel documents usually don’t qualify for this policy.

If your documentation is approved at immigration, they’ll process your temporary entry under the visa-free transit rules.

Application process

Step 1: Tell the airline (or train/ship) before you board

At check-in for your flight, train, or ship, tell the staff ahead of time that you plan to use China’s 240-hour visa-free transit. If you don’t specify this, you may run into issues, including possibly being denied boarding, while they verify your eligibility for travel to China. In many cases, the carrier reports your information to China’s border inspection authorities before you arrive, which can help speed up the process after you land.

Not every check-in agent may be familiar with this policy or have handled it before, so to make things easier, prepare two things ahead of time:

• An English copy of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy downloaded from the official Chinese consular website (save on your phone or print a copy).
• Your onward ticket details to a third country/region after your stop in China, clearly showing your name, date, flight/train/ship number, and booking/confirmation number.

If you run into someone who isn’t as familiar with the policy, having these documents ready can make it quicker and easier to get it sorted out. 

Step 2: After you arrive, follow the signs to immigration and apply there

Once you land, follow the airport/port signs to Immigration/Border Inspection, where you’ll do two things:

• Complete the arrival card (entry declaration)
• Request 240-hour visa-free transit at the correct counter/lane

1) Online vs. on-site application

I recommend submitting this online in advance, but you can also do it after you land.

The form is mostly standard information, such as your passport number, gender, purpose of entry, etc. You will also indicate that you are utilizing visa-free transit to enter the country.

Your three options for completing the card are:

Option A: Use the “NIA 12367” app (iOS, Android) or search for “NIA 12367” on WeChat or Alipay to access the mini-program.

Open the app and look for the Arrival Card/Entry Declaration option, then complete the form.

Option B: Use the official website (phone or computer)

• Mobile web: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/
• Desktop web: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/

Option C: Scan the QR code at the airport/port

If you didn’t do it ahead of time, you’ll see a QR code sign in the immigration area. Scan it and fill everything out on the spot.

If you prefer not to do it online, you can also complete a paper arrival card at the immigration area after landing. 

Pro-tip: Watch out for scam websites that charge fees to fill out the declaration. The official arrival card service is free. 

2) Complete the arrival card (Entry Declaration)

Here’s what the process looks like:

1, Start the form: tap “Entry Declaration,” read the notices, and agree.

2, Upload your document: select document type and upload a photo of your passport info page (you can edit details manually if needed).

3, Confirm auto-read info: verify accuracy, then add details like your entry method.

4, Enter personal travel details: select the entry policy option that matches your situation.

Visa section:

• If entering with a valid visa, enter your visa number
• If using 240-hour visa-free transit, follow the on-screen prompts and select the option that applies to you

5, Trip details: complete required fields (e.g., entry port, flight number, cities you’ll stay in, etc.).

6, Add travel companions (if any).

7, Declaration → Submit: after submitting, save a copy in case it’s needed at immigration. You can download a PDF or send it to your email.

3) Go to the specific lane/counter for 240-hour visa-free transit

In the immigration area, look for signs that say “Visa-Free Transit” or “240-hour.” If you can’t find it, ask a staff member:

“Where do I apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit?”

Step 3: If you already have a valid China visa but don’t want to use it, let them know upfront

If you already have a valid China visa in your passport but you want to enter under the 240-hour visa-free transit instead, tell the officer before they process your entry. 

For example:

“I’d like to enter under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy this time.”

If you’re automatically processed as a regular visa entry, your stay will be managed under the visa rules instead, so be clear from the start if you’re using visa-free transit. 

Step 4: After approval, double-check your short-term stay permit

If you’re approved, the officer will issue a short-term stay permit in your passport (often a sticker, but sometimes a stamp or other record depending on the port). It should clearly show the issue date and either the permitted length of stay or the last day you’re allowed to stay.

Before you leave the counter, take a moment to confirm that the allowed stay matches what you applied for (the 240-hour window). Make sure you’re reading the dates correctly… jet lag makes it easy to make mistakes!

Step 5: Complete your accommodation registration within 24 hours (important)

After you leave the airport/port, you’re required to complete an accommodation registration within 24 hours. This is one of the most commonly missed, but most important, rules for foreign travelers.

If you’re staying at a hotel: you don’t need to do anything. If you check into a hotel within 24 hours, the hotel registers you in the system. Thus, hotel check-in counts as completing the registration, and you don’t need to visit a police station yourself.

If you’re staying at a friend’s place or a vacation rental: you need to register in person. If you’re staying with friends/family, or in a short-term rental (including places booked through platforms like Airbnb), you’ll need to bring your passport to the local police station/public security office near where you’re staying and register yourself.

Don’t put this off! If you miss the registration deadline, you’ll likely be contacted and asked to complete it later. And failure to cooperate or making this mistake repeatedly can lead to potential impact on future visa-free entries or extra questioning the next time you enter China. 

The bottom line is hotels are the easiest. If you’re staying in a rental or at a friend’s place, make sure to set a reminder to go and register yourself.

Step 6: If you’ll go over 240 hours—or travel outside the allowed area—you’ll need different paperwork

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy only works if you:

• stay within the time limit
• stay within the approved area
• and depart on time

If any of these are true for your trip:

• You’ll stay longer than 240 hours
• Your itinerary goes outside the allowed regions
• Plans change and you might not be able to depart on time

…then you should apply as soon as possible through the local public security authorities for the appropriate stay/visa-related paperwork. If you don’t, and it’s considered an overstay, you could face fines or other consequences.

The provinces, cities, and entry/exit ports covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit policy

Below is the current list of the 24 province-level regions covered by this policy, along with the cities and ports where it applies. Overall, the coverage now includes almost all of China’s most popular cities and tourist destinations.

Province & City	Available Port	Permitted Visa-free Stay Area
Beijing	Beijing Capital International Airport / Beijing Daxing International Airport	Beijing
Tianjin	Tianjin Binhai International Airport / Tianjin Port (Cruise)	Tianjin
Hebei Province	Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport Qinghuangdao Port (Cruise)	Hebei Province
Shanghai	Shanghai Pudong International Airport / Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport / Shanghai Port (Cruise)	Shanghai
Jiangsu Province	Nanjing Lukou International Airport/ Wuxi Sunan Shuofang International Airport/ Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport/ Lianyungang Port (Cruise)	Jiangsu Province
Zhejiang Province	Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport/ Ningbo Lishe International Airport/ Wenzhou Longwan International Airport/ Jinhua Yiwu International Airport/ Wenzhou Port (Cruise) Zhoushang Port (Cruise)	Zhejiang Province
Guangdong Province	Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport/ Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport/ Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport/ Nansha Port/ Shekou Port/ Pazhou Ferry Terminal Port/ Hengqin Port/ Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port/ Zhongshan Port/ Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station Port	Guangdong Province (Travelers can exit from all open ports of entry in the entire province.)
Sichuan Province	Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport/ Chengdu Tianfu International Airport	11 cities in Sichuan Province ( Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya’an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, Yibin)
Chongqing	Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport	Chongqing City
Yunnan Province	Kunming Changshui International Airport/ Lijiang Sanyi International Airport/ Mohan Railway Port	Kunming, Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu’er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, Wenshan
Guizhou Province	Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport	Guizhou Province
Hunan Province	Changsha Huanghua International Airport/ Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport	Hunan Province
Anhui Province	Heifei Xinqiao International Airport/ Huangshan Tunxi International Airport	Anhui Province
Fujian Province	Fuzhou Changle International Airport/ Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport/ Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport/ Nanping Wuyishan International Airport/ Xiamen Port (Cruise)	Fujian Province
Jiangxi Province	Nanchang Changbei International Airport	Nanchang, Jingdezhen
Hubei Province	Wuhan Tianhe International Airport	Hubei Province
Shandong Province	Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport/ Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport/ Yantai Penglai International Airport/ Weihai Dashuipo International Airport/ Qingdao Port (Cruise)	Shandong Province
Henan Province	Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport	Henan Province
Shaanxi Province	Xian Xianyang International Airport	Shaanxi Province
Shanxi Province	Taiyuan Wusu International Airport	Taiyuan, Datong
Heilongjiang Province	Harbin Taiping International Airport	Harbin
Liaoning Province	Shenyang Taoxian International Airport/ Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport / Dalian Port (Cruise)	Liaoning Province
Guangxi Province	Nanning Wuxu International Airport/ Guilin Liangjiang International Airport/ Beihai Fucheng International Airport Beihai Port (Cruise)	Nanning, Guilin, Beihai, Qinzhou, Yulin, Hechi, Liuzhou, Wuzhou, Fangchenggang, Guigang, Hezhou, Laibin
Hainan Province	Haikou Meilan International Airport/ Sanya Fenghuang International Airport	Hainan Province

Other common visa-free options for China

Some travelers don’t actually need transit visa-free entry, as they may qualify for regular visa-free entry instead. Here are two common options to help you quickly figure out which applies to you. (Exact rules and country lists can change, so always double-check the latest official guidance before you fly.) 

1) 30-day visa-free entry (mutual visa-waiver agreements)

If your country has a bilateral visa waiver agreement with China, then with a regular passport, you can usually enter China visa-free for entry/exit/transit.

Common patterns often look like:

• Per entry: often up to 30 days
• Total stay: in many cases, a cumulative limit such as no more than 90 days within any 180-day period may apply

However, details vary by country and by agreement, and enforcement can differ by port—so follow the specific agreement terms that apply to your nationality. 

2) China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free entry (eligible countries)

China also offers unilateral visa-free entry for certain countries. If you’re eligible and hold a regular passport, you may enter China without a visa for purposes such as tourism, business, and visiting family/friends, and it can also cover a transit stay of up to 30 days.

Because the eligible-country list and fine print can change, it’s smart to re-check the latest official rules and port requirements shortly before departure. 

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