240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China: Complete 2026 Guide (All 65 Ports Listed)

China just made it dramatically easier to visit. In late 2025, the government expanded its transit visa exemption from 144 hours to 240 hours (10 full days), added new ports of entry, and opened up 24 provincial-level regions to transit travelers. That’s not a typo — you can now spend over a week exploring China without applying for a visa, paying any fees, or visiting an embassy.

I’ve put together this guide because most information online is either outdated (still referencing the old 144-hour rules) or buried in government PDFs. Here’s everything you actually need to know, in plain English.

What Is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?

Officially called the “240-hour visa-free transit policy,” this rule allows citizens of 55 countries to enter mainland China without a visa for up to 240 hours (10 days), as long as they’re transiting to a third country or region.

The key word here is “transit.” You must be traveling through China, not to China as a final destination. In practice, this means you need a confirmed onward ticket leaving mainland China within 10 days. Your onward destination can be your home country, a different country, or even Hong Kong or Macao (they count as separate regions).

Activities permitted under this policy include tourism, business meetings, visiting family or friends, and general short-term visits. What you cannot do: work, study long-term, or engage in journalism without proper accreditation.

Who Qualifies? (55 Eligible Countries)

You must hold an ordinary passport from one of these 55 countries:

Europe (40 countries)

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus.

Americas (6 countries)

United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Oceania (2 countries)

Australia, New Zealand.

Asia (7 countries)

South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia.

The 4 Requirements You Must Meet

Before you book anything, make sure you can check all four boxes:

1. Valid passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your entry date. It must be an ordinary (tourist) passport — diplomatic and service passports follow different rules.
2. Confirmed onward ticket: A flight, train, or cruise ticket leaving mainland China within 240 hours. It must show a specific date and seat/berth number. A “planned” or “tentative” booking won’t cut it.
3. Third-country destination: Your onward destination must be a different country or region from where you came. Hong Kong and Macao count as valid third destinations. Example: flying in from Tokyo and out to Bangkok works. Flying in from Tokyo and back to Tokyo does not work (same country).
4. Enter and exit through eligible ports: You must arrive and depart through one of the 65 designated ports (full list below). You can enter through one city and exit through another.

All 65 Eligible Ports of Entry

Here’s the complete list organized by region. You can enter through any of these and exit through any other eligible port (they don’t have to be in the same province, as long as both are within your permitted travel area).

Where Can You Actually Go?

This is where people get confused. You can’t roam all of China on this policy — you’re restricted to the “permitted stay area” associated with your entry port. But here’s the good news: many of these areas are entire provinces, and cross-provincial travel is allowed as long as every province you visit is on the approved list.

For example, if you enter through Shanghai Pudong Airport, your permitted area is Shanghai municipality. But if you enter through Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, you get all of Guangdong Province — and you can exit from any open port in the province, not just the one you arrived at.

Some regions have city-level restrictions. Sichuan, for instance, limits you to 11 specific cities (including Chengdu and Leshan, home of the Giant Buddha). Yunnan gives you 9 regions including the tourist favorites Dali, Lijiang, and Xishuangbanna.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply at Immigration

There’s no online application, no embassy visit, no fee. You apply at the immigration counter when you land. Here’s exactly what happens:

1. Before boarding: Tell your airline at check-in that you’ll be using the 240-hour visa-free transit. They need to verify your onward ticket. Some airlines are unfamiliar with the policy — print your onward booking confirmation and have it ready.
2. On the plane: Fill out the Arrival Card (the blue/yellow form distributed by cabin crew). Under “purpose of visit,” write “transit.”
3. At immigration: Look for the dedicated transit channel (usually marked “24/72/144/240-Hour Transit” or “Temporary Entry”). If there’s no dedicated lane, go to any counter and tell the officer you’re applying for the 240-hour visa-free transit.
4. Show your documents: Passport + onward ticket + completed arrival card. The officer may ask where you’re staying and what you plan to do. Keep answers simple: “Tourism, 5 days, then flying to Bangkok.”
5. Get your permit: If approved, the officer places a temporary stay permit sticker in your passport showing the issue date and expiry. No fee, no stamp duty.
6. After arrival: You must register your accommodation within 24 hours. If you’re staying at a hotel, they do this automatically at check-in. If you’re staying with friends or in an Airbnb, you (or your host) need to register at the nearest police station.

5 Mistakes That Will Get You Denied

1. Booking a round-trip to the same country. Flying London → Beijing → London doesn’t qualify. Your outbound must go to a different country/region. London → Beijing → Hong Kong works. London → Beijing → Tokyo works.
2. Not having a confirmed seat. A “reservation pending payment” or a flexible ticket without a seat assignment may be rejected. Your onward ticket needs a date, route, and seat/berth number.
3. Passport expiring too soon. If your passport has less than 3 months validity remaining, you’ll be turned away. Check before you book.
4. Trying to visit restricted areas. Tibet, Xinjiang, and parts of Inner Mongolia require special permits even with a regular visa. They are NOT included in any 240-hour transit zone.
5. Overstaying by even a few hours. The 240-hour limit is strict. A delayed flight doesn’t automatically excuse you. If there’s any risk of missing your outbound, apply for an extension at the PSB before your permit expires. Overstay fines start at 500 RMB per day.

FAQ

Can I enter and exit through different cities?

Yes, as long as both cities are within your permitted stay area. For example, entering Guangdong through Guangzhou Airport and leaving through Shenzhen Bao’an Airport is fine. Some regions even allow cross-provincial movement between approved areas.

Does Hong Kong/Macao count as a “third destination”?

Yes. Flying from Seoul to Shanghai, then taking a train to Hong Kong qualifies perfectly. Many travelers use this as an easy way to combine a China visit with Hong Kong or Macao.

Can I use this policy multiple times?

Yes. There’s no stated limit on how many times you can use the 240-hour transit in a year. Each entry is a fresh 240-hour window. Some travelers exit to Hong Kong and re-enter the mainland to “reset” their clock — this is technically allowed but don’t make it look like you’re living in China.

What if my flight gets cancelled and I overstay?

Go to the nearest PSB (Public Security Bureau) exit-entry office before your permit expires and apply for a stay extension. Bring your cancelled flight confirmation. They’re generally understanding about force majeure, but you must be proactive.

Is this the same as China’s unilateral visa-free policy?

No. China also has a separate unilateral visa-free policy for certain countries (like France, Germany, Australia, South Korea, and others) that allows 30-day stays with NO onward ticket requirement. If your country qualifies for both, the unilateral policy is usually more flexible. Check which applies to you.

Do I need travel insurance?

It’s not legally required for the transit permit, but strongly recommended. Medical costs for foreigners in China can be high, and you’ll want coverage for trip disruptions given the strict departure deadline.

Planning a trip using the 240-hour transit? Read our guides on setting up Alipay as a foreigner, essential apps to download before you fly, and how much a trip to China actually costs.

Information accurate as of July 2026. Policies can change — always verify with your airline or the nearest Chinese embassy before travel.