What Is China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?
China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy (formerly the 144-hour policy) allows citizens of 55 countries to stay in designated regions of China for up to 10 days without applying for a visa in advance. Updated in June 2025 by China's National Immigration Administration, this expanded policy now covers 65 entry ports across 24 provinces — making it the most accessible way for overseas tourists to visit China.
South Korean traveler Koh Junho, who used this policy in 2024 to visit Shanghai and Hangzhou, shared his experience: "Before my trip to China, I was quite nervous because I was worried about what kind of difficulties I would encounter at the border control department. However, after explaining to airport staff that I intended to enter China using the visa-free transit policy, everything went quite smoothly afterward." His story reflects the experience of millions of travelers who now use this policy every year.
Eligible Countries: Complete List of 55 Nations
As confirmed by China's National Immigration Administration (nia.gov.cn), the following 55 countries are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy:
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, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
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
Data source: National Immigration Administration of China (nia.gov.cn), policy updated June 2025
Check your specific eligibility using our free visa checker tool.
Which Cities Can You Visit?
The 240-hour policy covers 65 entry ports across 24 provinces. The most popular entry points for overseas tourists are:
- Beijing — PEK and PKX airports. Covers the entire Beijing municipality.
- Shanghai — PVG and SHA airports. Covers Shanghai plus Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces — meaning you can visit Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou in one trip.
- Guangzhou — CAN airport. Covers the entire Guangdong province including Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
- Chengdu — CTU and TFU airports. Covers Sichuan province.
- Xi'an — XIY airport. Covers Xi'an city area.
- Hangzhou — HGH airport. Covers Zhejiang province.
- Guilin — KWL airport. Covers Guangxi region.
Key Requirements (Do Not Skip These)
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country — this is the most important rule. Your itinerary MUST be: Country A → China → Country B. You cannot do Country A → China → Country A.
- Stay within the designated region — you cannot leave the permitted area. For example, entering through Shanghai means you can visit Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, but NOT Beijing.
- Hotel booking — strongly recommended. Immigration officers may ask for your accommodation address.
- Completed arrival card — fill out the "Foreigner Arrival Card" on your flight.
Real Traveler Story: What Happens at the Airport
The hardest part is the airline check-in, not immigration. Travel expert Josh Summers, who has documented hundreds of China transit experiences, warns: "China has done a horrible job of communicating the specifics of its visa-free policy internationally. I've known many travelers who have had to fight to board their airplane to China because the airline wasn't entirely clear about the policy."
Pro tip: Print out the official policy page from China's National Immigration Administration website and bring it with you. If the airline check-in agent is unfamiliar with the policy, showing them the official source can save your trip.
At immigration (once you arrive):
- Follow signs for "240-Hour Visa-Free Transit" or "Transit Without Visa" — many airports have dedicated counters
- Submit your passport, arrival card, and onward ticket
- The immigration officer may ask: your purpose of visit, where you are staying, and your travel plans
- Once approved (typically 5–15 minutes), you will receive a "Temporary Entry Permit" sticker in your passport
- Clear immigration and enjoy your 10 days in China!
The 240-Hour Clock: How to Count Correctly
This is where many travelers make mistakes. The 240 hours do NOT start from the moment you land. They start from midnight of the day after your arrival.
Example: You land in Shanghai at 2:00 PM on March 10. Your 240-hour countdown starts at 12:00 AM (midnight) on March 11. You must leave China by 11:59 PM on March 20 — giving you effectively 10 full days.
Warning: "Don't cut it close," experienced travelers advise. You must be physically outside of China before the deadline — checking in for your flight does not count. Allow extra time for airport security and immigration queues.
Common Mistakes (Real Travelers Who Got Rejected)
Based on documented cases and traveler reports, here are the most common reasons people get rejected:
- Wrong itinerary structure (the #1 mistake): Booking a round trip from your home country to China and back. Example: USA → China → USA = REJECTED. Correct: USA → China → Japan → USA.
- Traveling outside the permitted region: Entering through Shanghai but trying to visit Beijing. Each entry port has a designated zone — you cannot freely travel across China.
- No printed ticket: Some immigration officers and airlines prefer physical printouts. Phones can die, screens can crack, and not all check-in agents accept digital copies.
- No hotel booking: Arriving without a clear accommodation plan raises red flags. Book at least one night before you arrive.
- Overstaying: Even by a few hours. The consequences include fines, detention, and bans from re-entering China.
Josh Summers notes: "I've known at least three travelers who have been turned away at the Chinese airport because they didn't understand the rules and restrictions well enough. Don't let that be you!"
240-Hour vs Regular Tourist Visa (L Visa): Which Should You Choose?
Many travelers wonder whether to use the transit policy or apply for a regular tourist visa. Here is the comparison:
- 240-hour transit: Free, no application needed, valid for 10 days, restricted to the entry region. Best for short layovers, stopovers, or exploring one region.
- L Visa (Tourist Visa): Costs $30–140 depending on nationality, requires application 2–4 weeks in advance, valid for 30–90 days, allows travel anywhere in China. Best for longer trips or multi-city itineraries.
Plan to visit Beijing AND Shanghai? Get an L visa. Only have a week and want to explore just one region? Use the 240-hour transit. For a full breakdown of the traditional visa process, read our complete China visa guide 2026.
Sample 10-Day Itineraries
Here are real itineraries designed to make the most of your 240-hour transit. Each one stays within the permitted zone of a single entry point:
Shanghai & Jiangnan Discovery (via PVG):
- Day 1: Arrive Shanghai, evening stroll along the Bund and Nanjing Road
- Day 2: Yu Garden, French Concession, Shanghai Tower observation deck
- Day 3: Day trip to Suzhou — classical gardens and Grand Canal
- Day 4: Day trip to Hangzhou — West Lake, Longjing Tea Village
- Day 5: Shanghai Museum, shopping at Taikoo Li
- Day 6: Zhujiajiao Water Town — ancient canals and bridges
- Day 7: Shanghai food tour — xiaolongbao, shengjian, street food
- Day 8: Day trip to Nanjing — Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Confucius Temple
- Day 9: Last-minute shopping, Huangpu River sunset cruise
- Day 10: Depart from PVG or SHA
Beijing Imperial Journey (via PEK):
- Day 1: Arrive Beijing, Tiananmen Square evening walk
- Day 2: Forbidden City (full day) + Jingshan Park sunset
- Day 3: Great Wall of China — Mutianyu section (cable car up, toboggan down)
- Day 4: Temple of Heaven (morning) + Summer Palace (afternoon)
- Day 5: Hutong rickshaw tour + Nanluoguxiang + Houhai Lake
- Day 6: 798 Art District + National Museum of China
- Day 7: Ming Tombs + Sacred Way day trip
- Day 8: Peking duck feast + Wangfujing night market
- Day 9: Beihai Park + Bell and Drum Tower area
- Day 10: Depart from PEK or PKX
Chengdu Slow Travel (via CTU/TFU):
- Day 1: Arrive Chengdu, evening at Jinli Ancient Street
- Day 2: Giant Panda Base (arrive before 8 AM) + Wenshu Monastery
- Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha day trip
- Day 4: Kuanzhai Alley + Wuhou Shrine + Sichuan opera
- Day 5: Sichuan hot pot dinner + People's Park teahouse
- Day 6: Mount Qingcheng day trip — Taoist mountain
- Day 7: Chengdu food tour — dandan noodles, mapo tofu
- Day 8: Dujiangyan Irrigation System day trip
- Day 9: Shopping at Taikoo Li + final hot pot
- Day 10: Depart from CTU or TFU
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave the airport during transit? Yes! That is the entire point of the policy. You can stay in the designated region for up to 10 days.
Do I need a visa if my layover is only 4 hours? No. The 24-hour transit policy applies to almost all nationalities for same-day connections.
Can I use this policy twice in a row? Some travelers do exit to Hong Kong or Macau and re-enter for a new 240-hour permit. However, immigration officers may question repeated use. Have clear documentation for each leg.
What if I want to visit multiple cities across different regions? The transit zone is limited to your entry region. If you want to visit both Beijing and Shanghai, apply for a regular L tourist visa instead — see our China visa guide.
What happens if I overstay? Overstaying even by a few hours can result in fines of ¥500 per day, detention, and a ban from re-entering China. Always plan to leave at least half a day before your deadline.
Is this better than applying for a regular visa? For short trips (under 10 days) to a single region, yes — it is free, requires no paperwork, and the airport process takes just minutes. For longer or multi-destination trips, apply for a tourist visa before you travel.
Check your eligibility with our free visa checker tool, or read our full China visa guide for the complete picture.