Written by Natalia |
China has a number of visa-free policies with different requirements. If you’re planning on a trip to China, check if you are eligible for visiting without a visa. This article will give you all the information on the China 240-hour visa-free policy.
Other China visa-free policies include the 30-day visa-free policy, 24-hour visa-free transit, 15-Day visa-free policy for cruise groups, and so on.
What Is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy in China?
China’s 240-hour visa-free policy is a major upgrade on the former 144-hour visa-free policy. Starting from December 2024, if you’re a passport holder of an eligible country and are traveling from China to a third country (or region), you can enter China without a visa through a designated port and stay for as long as 240 hours (10 days).
Differences Between the 240-Hour and 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies
Compared to the previous 72/144-hour visa-free policies, the duration of stay has been extended, and there are 21 new ports of entry and exit. Now, there are a total of 60 open ports in 24 provinces. Plus, instead of being limited to stay in the province of entry, you can now travel across all of the 24 provinces. Traveling to China has become much easier.
Who Is Eligible for the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
Foreign nationals from the below 54 countries are eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free policy.
- 25 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Estonia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia
- 15 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Ukraine, Belarus, Monaco, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania
- 6 American Countries:the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina
- 6 Asian Countries:Japan, Korea, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
- 2 Oceania Countries:Australia, New Zealand
How Does the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy Work?
Entry and Exit Ports
It’s important to note that you must enter and leave China through any one of the designated ports, though you don’t have to enter and leave from the same one. Here is the complete list of designated ports of entry and exit.
| Province (Region, City) | Applicable port | Area of stay |
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport | Beijing |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport | ||
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport | Tianjin |
| Tianjin Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport | Hebei Province |
| Qinhuangdao Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Liaoning Province |
| Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | ||
| Dalian Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport | Shanghai |
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport | ||
| Shanghai Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | Jiangsu Province |
| Sunan Shuofang International Airport | ||
| Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport | ||
| Lianyungang Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | Zhejiang Province |
| Ningbo Lishe International Airport | ||
| Wenzhou Longwan International Airport | ||
| Yiwu International Airport | ||
| Wenzhou Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Zhoushan Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport | Anhui Province |
| Huangshan Tunxi International Airport | ||
| Fujian | Fuzhou Changle International Airport | Fujian Province |
| Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | ||
| Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport | ||
| Wuyishan International Airport | ||
| Xiamen Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport | Shandong Province |
| Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport | ||
| Yantai Penglai International Airport | ||
| Weihai Dashuibo International Airport | ||
| Qingdao Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Henan | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport | Henan Province |
| Hubei | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Hubei Province |
| Hunan | Changsha Huanghua International Airport | Hunan Province |
| Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport | ||
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Guangdong Province
(exits available at all open ports across the province) |
| Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport | ||
| Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | ||
| Nansha Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Shekou Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Hainan | Haikou Meilan International Airport | Hainan Province |
| Sanya Phoenix International Airport | ||
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing City |
| Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport | Guizhou Province |
| Shaanxi | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport | Shaanxi Province |
| Shanxi | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport | Taiyuan, Datong |
| Heilongjiang | Harbin Taiping International Airport | Harbin |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei International Airport | Nanchang, Jingdezhen |
| Guangxi | Nanning Wuxu International Airport | 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin |
| Guilin Liangjiang International Airport | ||
| Beihai Fucheng Airport | ||
| Beihai Seaport (Passenger) | ||
| Sichuan | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | 11 cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Suining, Leshan, Deyang, Neijiang, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, and Ziyang |
| Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | ||
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport | 9 cities: Kunming, Chuxiong, Yuxi, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
| Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | ||
| Mohan Railway Port |
How is the 240-hour period calculated?
The 240-hour period starts at 0:00 (12:00 am) the day after your day of entry. For example, if you arrive in Shanghai on May 1, your 240-hour period begins at 0:00 on May 2. You must leave China before 23:59 (11:59pm) on May 11.
Permitted activities
If you travel to China without a visa under this policy, you’re limited to these purposes: tourism, business visits, business exchanges, or visiting friends or family. That is to say, you cannot participate in paid work, schools, journalism, or other activities. You will have to apply for a China visa that permits your purpose of travel.
About your transit
Keep in mind that to travel under China’s 240-hour visa-free policy, you must be making a transit in China. You will need to leave the country with 240 hours of arrival and travel to a third country or region. This third destination cannot be your home country. However, it can be Hong Kong or Macau.
How to Apply for China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
What you need
- a valid international travel document with at least three months of validity
- passenger tickets and booking confirmation with a specific date and seat to a third country or region from China within 240 hours of your arrival
How to apply
- Before landing, inform your airline that you intend to apply for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit.
- Fill out the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.
- When you arrive, apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit with your Arrival Card and travel documents at the designated counter.
- Obtain a Temporary Entry Permit stamp on your passport.
- Claim your luggage and go through inspections at the customs.
- Leave your port of entry and start your China tour.
FAQs About China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Policy
Can I extend my stay beyond 240 hours?
No, if you enter China without a visa under this policy, you must leave within 240 hours. Overstaying can cause you fines, detention, or even being banned from re-entering China.
If there should be any emergency or unavoidable reasons that would extend your stay, you need to apply for a stay permit at the local Public Security Bureau’s Entry and Exit Administration.
Can I book my outbound ticket after I arrive in China?
No, you will need confirmation for your outbound booking before you apply for this policy.
Is it possible to leave China and come back during the 240-hour window?
You can apply for the same policy again when you come back to China. There is no limit on the number of times you apply or on the amount of time in between.
Planning Your 240-Hour Stay in China
With the new 240-hour visa-free policy of China, you can now travel across designated regions and enter and leave through different ports. It allows more possibility for your best China tour. Here are some of the top destinations to consider on your trip.
Beijing – Visit the ancient capital of China. You should the imperial history in person and climb the Great Wall that you’ve heard so much about.
Xi’an – This is where the legendary Terracotta Army was unearthed. You will discover Chinese history, culture, food, and everything you came for.
Shanghai – The modern metropolis has one of the world’s most famous skylines. This is where modernity and traditions meet.
Chengdu – Chengdu is the home of the adorable giant pandas! A China tour is not complete without some panda encounters.
Yunnan – Some of the world’s most breathtaking views are in Yunnan. The snow mountains and alpine sceneries make it a popular destination for hikers and photographers.
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