🛂 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Guide

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy allows eligible travelers from 54 countries to stay in designated regions without a visa when transiting to a third country or region.

Eligible Countries (54)

United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and 20 more European countries.

Major Entry Ports (60)

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
• Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
• Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
• Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
• Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
• Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO)

Stay Rules

• Duration: 240 hours (10 days) from entry
• Scope: 24 provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Fujian, Shandong
• Requirement: Must have confirmed tickets to a third country/region

Required Documents

• Valid Passport: Must have at least 3 months validity remaining ✅
• Connecting Flight Tickets: Confirmed tickets to a third country/region within 240 hours ✅
• Arrival/Departure Card: Completed card (provided on plane or at airport) ✅
• Hotel Reservation: Recommended but not mandatory
• Travel Insurance: Recommended for medical emergencies

Entry Process

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you hold a passport from an eligible country with at least 3 months validity.
2. Book Connecting Flights: Purchase confirmed tickets to a third country/region (not your origin country).
3. Fill Arrival Card: Complete the arrival/departure card on the plane or at the airport.
4. Apply at Immigration: Present your passport, tickets, and completed card at the visa-free transit counter.

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Wrong: "I don't need any documents for visa-free transit"
  ✅ Correct: You must have a valid passport, connecting flight tickets, and completed arrival card
• ❌ Wrong: "I can stay longer than 240 hours"
  ✅ Correct: You must leave China within 240 hours (10 days) from entry
• ❌ Wrong: "I can travel anywhere in China"
  ✅ Correct: You can only stay in designated regions (24 provinces)
• ❌ Wrong: "My destination can be the same as my origin country"
  ✅ Correct: Your third country/region must be different from your origin
• ❌ Wrong: "I can apply for a regular visa while on visa-free transit"
  ✅ Correct: Visa-free transit cannot be converted to a regular visa

Important Notes

• Visa-free transit is only for tourism, business, or family visits (not for work or study)
• Overstaying will result in fines and may affect future visa applications
• Policy is subject to change - check official sources before travel
• Some nationalities may have additional requirements