240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Policy
Since June 12, 2025: 55 countries, 65 designated ports, 24 provinces/municipalities
Since June 12, 2025, China has expanded its transit visa-free policy to 55 eligible countries, unified the transit time to 240 hours (10 days), and increased the coverage to 24 provinces/municipalities with 65 designated ports. Travelers may remain within permitted areas for exactly 240 hours, counted from 00:00 the day after arrival. Cross-provincial travel is allowed within designated areas.
Example
Sarah from the UK is traveling from London to Tokyo with a layover in Shanghai. She arrives on October 1st at 6:00 PM. Her 240-hour stay begins at 00:00 on October 2nd and ends at 24:00 on October 11th. She can travel within the 24 designated provinces during this period.
Valid Passport
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months from entry date
Onward Ticket
Confirmed ticket to a third country/region (not your country of origin)
240-Hour Time Limit
Maximum stay of 240 hours (10 days), counted from 00:00 the day after arrival
Cross-Provincial Travel
Allowed to travel across 24 designated provinces/municipalities within permitted areas
Europe (40 countries)
Americas (6 countries)
Asia (7 countries) — Indonesia added June 12, 2025
Oceania (2 countries)
Major Entry Ports (65 Total)
Beijing
PEK/PKXShanghai
PVG/SHAGuangzhou
CANShenzhen
SZXChengdu
CTU/TFUHangzhou
HGHNanjing
NKGXi'an
XIYOther ports include: Tianjin (TSN), Shijiazhuang (SJW), Shenyang (SHE), Dalian (DLC), Harbin (HRB), Nanjing (NKG), Wuxi (WUX), Yangzhou (YTY), Ningbo (NGB), Wenzhou (WNZ), Yiwu (YIW), Xiamen (XMN), Fuzhou (FOC), Quanzhou (JJN), Wuyishan (WUS), Jinan (TNA), Qingdao (TAO), Yantai (YNT), Weihai (WEH), Zhengzhou (CGO), Wuhan (WUH), Changsha (CSX), Zhangjiajie (DYG), Shantou (SWA), Haikou (HAK), Sanya (SYX), Nanning (NNG), Guilin (KWL), Beihai (BHY), Chongqing (CKG), Guiyang (KWE), Kunming (KMG), Lijiang (LJG), Taiyuan (TYN), Hefei (HFE), Huangshan (TXN), Nanchang (KHN), and Mohan Railway Port.
The following areas are NOT included in the 240-hour transit policy. You cannot travel to these regions without a regular visa:
Good News for Czech & Lithuanian Citizens
While Czech Republic and Lithuania are NOT eligible for the 30-day unilateral visa-free policy, citizens of both countries CAN use the 240-hour transit visa-free policy. This is the best visa-free option for travelers from these countries.
Third Country Requirement
Your onward destination must be a third country/region, not your country of origin. Example: UK → China → Japan ✓ | US → China → US ✗
Time Calculation
240 hours are counted from 00:00 the day after arrival. Example: Arrive Oct 1 at 8PM → Stay begins Oct 2 00:00 → Must depart by Oct 11 24:00.
Cross-Provincial Travel
You can travel freely across the 24 designated provinces/municipalities within your 240-hour stay. No need to stay in the same city!
Multiple Use
You can use this policy multiple times, but each transit requires a new third-country ticket and must follow the 240-hour limit.
1. NIA - Visa-Free Transit Policies: 24-Hour & 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies
Official policy page - Updated July 2025
2. NIA - Indonesia Added (55 Countries): China Extends 240-hour Visa-Free Transit to 55 Countries
June 12, 2025 - Indonesia added
3. NIA - Regional Visa-Free Policies: Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies (Hainan, Cruise, etc.)
59 countries for Hainan, Cruise ports, ASEAN groups
4. State Council of China: 65 Ports Now Available for 240-Hour Transit
November 2025 - Guangzhou, Hengqin, HKZM Bridge added
5. NIA - 2025 Immigration Statistics: 2025 Immigration Management Data
30.08 million visa-free entries in 2025
6. Chinese Embassy in the US: FAQ on Visa-Free Transit (Updated Feb 2026)
Official embassy guidance