Discover China, from Beijing and Shanghai to Guangzhou and beyond — no visa required.
Eligible passport holders from 57 countries—including the US, UK, Canada and Australia—can enter China without a visa for up to 10 days when transiting to a third country. Simply present your valid passport and confirmed onward ticket at one of 65 designated ports. During your stay, you’re free to explore, conduct business, or visit friends within the permitted areas. We’ve prepared this complete guide to help you plan your visa-free trip with confidence.
The 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy, also referred to as the 10-day visa-free transit, allows eligible foreign travelers from 57 designated countries to enter and stay in certain Chinese regions for up to 10 days without obtaining a visa. This policy applies to passengers transiting through China to a third country or region, provided they arrive and depart via eligible ports and remain within the designated areas during their stay. Unlike shorter transit windows, this 10-day period allows greater flexibility for travel across provincial boundaries within the authorized regions, making it a significant enhancement to China’s transit facilitation measures.
57 eligible nationalities
65 designated ports · 24 provinces
Up to 240 hours per stay
Travel through multiple cities
You are eligible for the transit visa-free policy if you hold a passport from one of these countries:
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy is available at designated open ports located across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government in China.
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province (e.g., Shijiazhuang), Liaoning Province (e.g., Shenyang, Dalian), Shanghai, Jiangsu Province (e.g., Nanjing, Suzhou), Zhejiang Province (e.g., Hangzhou, Ningbo), Fujian Province (e.g., Xiamen, Fuzhou), Shandong Province (e.g., Jinan, Qingdao), Hubei Province (e.g., Wuhan), Guangdong Province (e.g., Guangzhou, Shenzhen), Sichuan Province (e.g., Chengdu), Shaanxi Province (e.g., Xi’an), And more… (24 jurisdictions in total)
Each jurisdiction contains multiple specific ports (e.g., international airports, seaports).
Your travel must remain within the permitted stay areas specified under the policy. Eligible travelers may also travel across provinces where permitted.
To view the complete and official list of all 65 designated ports and their corresponding permitted stay areas, please click here to verify the latest information on the National Immigration Administration’s official website.
A: Your 240-hour (10-day) visa-free stay period in China begins at 00:00 on the day after you arrive. This means you may have additional hours for sightseeing on your arrival day. If you arrive in Beijing at 14:00 on October 1, your 240-hour countdown starts at 00:00 on October 2. You must depart China by 23:59 on October 11.
You must depart before your 240-hour period expires. If you need to stay beyond the permitted period because of an emergency, reasonable cause or force majeure, you should contact the local Exit-Entry Administration department in advance to apply for the appropriate stay document.
A: To be eligible for China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy, foreign nationals must meet all of the following conditions:
I. Nationality: You must hold a valid passport from one of the 57 eligible countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most European countries).
II. Travel Documents and Itinerary: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months.You must be in transit to a third country or region. This means China cannot be your final destination. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket or other relevant proof with a fixed date and itinerary to a third country or region within 240 hours.
III. Designated Ports and Permitted Area: You must enter and exit China through specific, designated ports that implement this policy. Your entry and exit ports can be different, but they must both be on the approved list. Travel across multiple cities or provinces is permitted only where the relevant permitted stay areas allow it.
A: Yes, the 240-hour visa-free transit policy is designed specifically for short-term transit and has clear limitations. It cannot be used in the following scenarios:
I. If China is Your Final Destination: The policy is only for transit. If you plan to stay in China and then return to your home country or country of origin, you do not qualify.
II. For Long-Term Stays or Specific Activities: The policy does not cover activities that require prior approval, such as employment, studying, or news reporting. If you intend to engage in these activities, you must obtain the appropriate visa in advance.
III. If You Do Not Meet the Basic Conditions: This includes not holding a passport from one of the 57 eligible countries, not having a valid onward ticket to a third country/region, or planning to enter/exit from non-designated ports.
IV. When Other Agreements Take Precedence: If you are a citizen of a country that has a mutual visa-exemption agreement with China, the terms of that agreement will apply instead of this transit policy.
A: During your stay under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, you are permitted to engage in short-term activities such as tourism, business meetings, and personal visits.
However, the policy does not allow activities that require long-term stay or special authorization, including employment, formal study, or news reporting. If you plan to do any of these, you must apply for the appropriate visa in advance through a Chinese embassy or consulate.
Yes. Foreign travelers staying in China must complete accommodation registration within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels normally handle the registration for their guests. If you stay somewhere other than a hotel, you may need to register with the local police station or other designated authority.
Foreign travelers can complete the China Arrival Card online before arrival through the official National Immigration Administration channels. Travelers who are unable to complete it online can fill it in at the port of entry.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the following official channels.
National Immigration Administration — Visa-Free Transit Policies (Updated August 20, 2026)
National Immigration Administration (NIA) Official Website
