Great news for travelers from 🇺🇸 the U.S., 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇬🇧 UK, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇧🇷 Brazil, and other eligible countries! China has optimized and expanded its 240-hour visa-free transit policy, allowing you to stay longer and explore more.
🌏 Eligibility: Citizens from 54 eligible countries—including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Brazil—can now enjoy visa-free transit through China for up to 240 hours (10 days) when traveling onward to a third country or region.
Table of Contents
🌏 Eligible Countries for China’s 240-hour Visa-Free Transit
| Region | Countries 📌 |
|---|---|
| Schengen Area (25) | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Other European Countries (15) | Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro |
| North America | United States, Canada |
| South America | Brazil |
🛫 Newly Added Eligible Entry and Exit Ports
| Province | International Airports 🌐 |
|---|---|
| Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao, Huangshan Tunxi International Airport |
| Fujian | Fuzhou Changle, Quanzhou Jinjiang, Wuyishan International Airport |
| Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei International Airport |
| Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang, Yantai Penglai, Weihai Dashuibo International Airport |
| Jiangsu | Sunan Shuofang International Airport |
| Zhejiang | Wenzhou Longwan, Yiwu International Airport |
🔔 Important Note: Citizens from the above countries traveling to a third country through China can enjoy up to 240-hour visa-free transit. Always confirm eligibility and entry requirements with the official consulate or embassy prior to travel.
🛂 Expanded Ports of Entry: Entry and exit ports have significantly increased from 39 to 60 locations across 24 provinces and municipalities.
In which Chinese cities can I get a visa exemption for 240 hours?
| Provinces/Cities | Eligible Ports |
|---|---|
| Beijing | Capital Airport |
| Tianjin | Binhai International Airport, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port |
| Hebei | Zhengding International Airport, Qinhuangdao Port |
| Liaoning | Zhoushuizi International Airport, Dalian International Cruise Port, Taoxian International Airport |
| Shanghai | Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal |
| Tianjin | Binhai International Airport, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port |
| Shandong | Qingdao Liuting International Airport, Qingdao International Cruise Port, Yantai Penglai International Airport |
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport |
| Shanghai | Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal |
| Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, Yangzhou Port |
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Wuxi Sunan Shuofang International Airport |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Port, Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Port |
| Hainan | Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport |
| Henan | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport |
| Hubei | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport |
| Hunan | Changsha Huanghua International Airport, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport |
| Shaanxi | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport |
| Shanxi (Taiyuan & Datong) | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport |
| Heilongjiang (Harbin) | Harbin Taiping International Airport |
| Jiangxi (Nanchang & Jingdezhen) | Nanchang Changbei International Airport |
| Guangxi | Nanning Wuxu International Airport, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, Beihai Fucheng Airport, Beihai International Passenger Port |
| Sichuan | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport |
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, Mohan Railway Port |
📍 Port Expansion: Entry and exit ports for visa-free transit have increased from 39 to 60 across 24 regions, including major provinces and municipalities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and now extended to Anhui, Hainan, Guizhou, Shanxi, and Jiangxi.
🗺️ Expanded Travel Zones:
- In Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou, visitors can freely explore the entire province.
- In Shanxi, travelers are welcome in Taiyuan and Datong.
- In Jiangxi, permitted areas include Nanchang and Jingdezhen.
- Regions in Fujian, Hubei, and Shaanxi have been significantly expanded, allowing travelers greater mobility across these provinces.
- Travelers can freely move across provincial boundaries within the 24 approved provinces and regions during their 240-hour stay.
🌟 With this enhanced policy, travelers have unprecedented flexibility to experience more of China’s rich culture, history, and vibrant cities while transiting to a third country.
✅ Always confirm your eligibility and prepare required travel documents before departure.
What is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?
This policy allows eligible travelers to stay in specific Chinese provinces for up to 240 hours without needing a visa, provided they are transiting onward to another international destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel between provinces, like entering via Guangzhou and exiting from Shanghai?
Yes, the 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows inter-provincial travel. You can enter China from one eligible city (e.g., Guangzhou) and depart from another (e.g., Shanghai).
Can I enter China without a pre-booked outbound ticket?
No. A confirmed onward ticket departing China is mandatory. You must present this ticket upon arrival.
What happens if I overstay my 240-hour transit period?
Overstaying your allowed transit period could lead to penalties including fines, detention, and potential entry bans for future visits.
How is the 240-hour transit period calculated?
The 240-hour period starts at 00:00 on the day after your arrival. For example, if you enter China at 08:00 on January 1, your permitted stay begins at 00:00 on January 2 and expires at 23:59 on January 11.
Can I travel between provinces during my transit?
Yes, inter-provincial travel is permitted as long as entry and exit cities are eligible under the transit policy.
Can I use high-speed trains or ferries to exit to Hong Kong or Macau?
Yes. Exiting mainland China via high-speed trains or ferries to Hong Kong or Macau is allowed under the 240-hour transit policy.
Are Hong Kong and Macau considered third regions?
Yes, both Hong Kong and Macau qualify as third regions. Transiting through them allows you to utilize the 240-hour visa-free policy.
What if I overstay my allowed 240 hours?
Overstaying your transit period can result in fines, possible detention, and future entry bans to China. Be sure to depart on time.
Who should I contact for official information?
For official inquiries, contact China’s National Immigration Administration at +86 12367 (multi-language support available).
Still have questions? Drop your comments below or explore our comment section to find quick answers!
