China now offers 240-hour visa-free transit for travelers from 54 countries.
On December 17, 2024, China expanded its visa-free transit policy. Travelers from 54 countries can now stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. This new 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit gives visitors more time to explore China or or invite friends and family for longer stays.
What’s New?
News from CHINA IMMIGRATION (translated by YouDao)
The updated policy applies to travelers from countries like the U.S., U.K., Russia, Brazil, and Canada. You can enter China visa-free through any of the 60 open ports across 24 provinces, including major airports in cities like Taiyuan, Hefei, and Chengdu. This opens up more regions of China to visitors.
The best part? The stay has been extended to 10 days—giving travelers more time to explore different areas.
More Regions, More Freedom
The policy covers travelers from 54 countries, with access to 60 open ports across 24 provinces
The policy also expands to five additional provinces, including Hainan, Guizhou, and Anhui, allowing travelers to move freely within these regions during their 240-hour stay. However, some provinces, like Jiangxi and Shanxi, still have city-specific restrictions.
For those already living in China, this change opens more opportunities to host friends and family, letting them experience life in China without the pressure of short visits.
Visa-free Transit Requirements
Conditions for Applying for 72/144-hour transit from CHINA IMMIGRATION (translated by YouDao)
The required documents include a valid passport, onward ticket, and temporary entry form. For details on the requirements to apply for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit, you can refer to the previous Transit Requirements for applying for China’s 72 or 144-hour visa-free transit below:
1) Valid Passport: You’ll need a valid passport with at least three months’ validity remaining. It must also meet the entry requirements for the country you’re traveling to after China.
2) Onward Ticket: You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within 72 or 144 hours, with a set date and seat.
3) Immigration Card: Fill out the temporary entry form for foreign visitors upon arrival.
4) Arrival and Departure: You must arrive and depart from one of the designated cities that offer this visa-free policy.
5) Arrival and Departure: During your stay, you must remain within the specified administrative regions permitted under the visa-free policy. (Contact 12367 for more details)
*Example: If you enter from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, you can only stay in the Guangdong province.
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