Who can use 240-hour transit without a visa?
As of 2026, citizens of 57 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) under the transit program, as long as they are travelling on to a third country or region. The list was expanded to 57 on 20 August 2026, when Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added.
Europe (40)
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 & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
Americas (6) & Oceania (2)
Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Asia (9)
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan
Country lists change. Always confirm against the official National Immigration Administration (NIA) notice — en.nia.gov.cn — before you book.
The rules you must meet
Onward to a third country or region
You must hold a confirmed connecting ticket (with date and seat) to a country or region other than where you came from. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as separate regions — so New York → Shanghai → Hong Kong works. A round trip that starts and ends in the same country does not qualify.
Valid travel document
Your passport or international travel document must be valid for at least 3 months from the date you enter China.
Designated ports & areas
Entry and exit must be through the eligible open ports — 65 ports across 24 provincial-level regions as of August 2026. You may travel only within the designated stay areas.
What you can do: tourism, business, visiting friends and family, exchanges, and transit.
What still needs a visa: work, study, journalism, or any activity that requires prior approval. For those, apply for the right visa before you travel.
How to use it at the airport
Book a qualifying itinerary
Your flights must show a confirmed onward connection to a third country or region within 240 hours. Keep the booking reference handy.
Fill in the arrival card
Since 20 November 2025 you can complete the entry card online before arrival at s.nia.gov.cn, or fill it in at the inspection point.
Show documents at immigration
Present your passport and onward ticket, and answer the border officer’s questions. No visa sticker is issued — the stay is granted on the spot.
Leave within 240 hours
Exit through an eligible port before your 10 days are up. Overstaying breaks the condition, so plan your departure carefully.
Other China visa-free options (2026)
If you are not actually transiting — just visiting China — a simpler rule may already cover you. Many travellers from Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas now qualify for visa-free entry without an onward ticket.
240-hour visa-free transit this page
Needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region. Up to 10 days. 57 countries. Stay within designated areas.
30-day unilateral visa-free
~50 countries, up to 30 days, no onward ticket needed, for tourism, business or visits. Currently valid through 31 December 2026 (subject to extension).
Mutual visa exemption (29 countries)
Permanent bilateral agreements — e.g. Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Serbia. No expiry date; check your country’s status on NIA.
Not transiting? Start with our tourist (L) visa guide or the US citizen visa guide to see which rule applies to you.
Major eligible ports
You can enter and exit through 65 open ports across 24 provincial-level regions. The main international gateways include:
Capital (PEK) · Daxing (PKX)
Pudong (PVG) · Hongqiao (SHA)
Guangzhou (CAN) · Shenzhen (SZX)
Tianfu (TFU) · Shuangliu (CTU)
Xianyang (XIY)
Xiaoshan (HGH)
Changshui (KMG)
Jiaodong (TAO)
Gaoqi (XMN)
Jiangbei (CKG)
Not every port in a region is eligible. Confirm your specific airport or station against the official NIA port list before you book.
Quick FAQ
Is 240 hours the same as 10 days?
Yes. 240 hours = 10 days. The stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after you enter, so most travellers gain a little extra time.
Can I visit more than one city?
Yes — as long as you stay within the designated provincial-level regions and enter/exit through eligible ports.
Do I need a visa if I qualify?
No — that’s the point of the program. You skip the visa entirely for transit stays up to 10 days.
Can I extend beyond 240 hours?
No. You must leave within 10 days. If you need longer, use the 30-day visa-free rule or apply for an L visa before travelling.
Do Hong Kong and Macau count?
Yes. They count as separate regions, so a route like New York → Shanghai → Hong Kong qualifies as transit.
What if my layover is under 24 hours?
The 24-hour direct transit rule lets you stay in the port area without a visa. To leave the airport, use the 240-hour transit rule instead.
Not sure which visa rule applies to you?
Start with our full first-time guide, or read the tourist (L) visa walkthrough if you’re staying longer.