China has resumed and expanded its visa-free transit policy, making it more convenient for international travelers to explore the country.
As of January 2025, the updated policy allows eligible passport holders from eligible countries* to enjoy up to 240 hours (10 days) of visa-free transit in designated cities and regions. The program is available to travelers who are transiting through China to a destination that is different from their country of departure.
Overview of the different visa-free time periods:
- The 240-hour visa-free transit allows travelers to stay up to 10 days (240 hours) and transfer between various transportation methods. It replaces the previous 72-hour and 144-hour options.
- The 24-hour visa-free transit is available to most nationalities and allows for transfers between various transportation methods.
Locations and duration of visa-free transit in China:
- The 240-hour visa-free transit policy is available in the following regions:
- Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
- Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
- Guangdong
- Shandong
- Liaoning
- Chengdu
- Kunming
- Xi’an
- Chongqing
- Xiamen
- Wuhan
- The 24-hour visa-free transit is available in all of China’s international airports except:
- Fuzhou Changle Airport
- Huangshan Tunxi Airport
- Mudanjiang Hailang Airport
- Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport
- Urumqi Diwopu International Airport
*The 240-hour visa-free transit is open to passport holders from the following countries:
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
As with all visa-related processes, there are various requirements, nuances and permutations to consider. Leave that task to us. Get in touch, let us know your plans/thoughts, and we’ll handle the rest.
