China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: 57 Countries, 65 Ports & 10-Day Stay – Full Guide
- Editorial Team
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
BEIJING, August 22, 2026 — China has expanded its 240-hour visa-free transit policy to include nationals of 57 countries, allowing eligible travelers to stay up to 10 days in designated areas without a visa when transiting to a third country or region.
The latest expansion, effective August 20, 2026, adds Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to the program. Originally limited to 72- or 144-hour stays, the policy was significantly broadened in December 2024, increasing the maximum stay to 240 hours and expanding access to more provinces.
Published: August 22, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
What Is China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?
The policy allows eligible travelers to enter China without a visa and stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) within designated areas, provided they are genuinely transiting to a third country or region.
Key Requirement | Details |
Transit Requirement | Must travel between two different countries/regions |
Qualifying Itinerary | US → China → Japan |
Non-Qualifying | US → China → US |
Hong Kong/Macao | Count as third regions (New York → Shanghai → Hong Kong qualifies) |
Final Decision | Made by border control authorities upon arrival |
Which Countries Are Eligible?
Since August 20, 2026, nationals of 57 countries are eligible. The breakdown:
Region | Countries |
Europe (40) | Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
Americas (6) | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States |
Oceania (2) | Australia, New Zealand |
Asia (9) | Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, UAE, Vietnam |
Requirements for the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Eligible travelers must meet all of the following conditions:
Requirement | Details |
Passport Validity | Valid for at least 3 months |
Onward Ticket | Confirmed ticket to a third country/region within 240 hours |
Entry Port | Must enter through one of 65 authorized ports |
Visa for Next Destination | Must meet entry requirements for onward country |
Stay Areas | Must remain within permitted geographic areas |
Border Control | Must complete temporary entry procedures upon arrival |
Important: Travelers cannot obtain a "240-hour transit visa" before departure. Approval is granted by border control authorities upon arrival.
How Is the 240 Hours Calculated?
The National Immigration Administration states that the authorized stay begins from 12:00 a.m. on the day after entry.
Example | Calculation |
Entry | September 1 (afternoon) |
240-Hour Period Begins | September 2 (12:00 a.m.) |
Actual Stay | Slightly longer than 10 exact 24-hour periods |
65 Authorized Ports of Entry
The policy is available through 65 ports (airports, seaports, railway terminals, land checkpoints) across 24 provinces:
Province/Municipality | Ports |
Beijing | Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing |
Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai, Tianjin Port |
Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding, Qinhuangdao Port |
Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian, Dalian Zhoushuizi, Dalian Port |
Shanghai | Hongqiao, Pudong, Shanghai Port |
Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou, Sunan Shuofang, Yangzhou Taizhou, Lianyungang Port |
Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Ningbo Lishe, Wenzhou Longwan, Yiwu, Wenzhou Port, Zhoushan Port |
Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao, Huangshan Tunxi |
Fujian | Fuzhou Changle, Xiamen Gaoqi, Quanzhou Jinjiang, Wuyishan, Xiamen Port |
Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang, Qingdao Jiaodong, Yantai Penglai, Weihai Dashuipo, Qingdao Port |
Henan | Zhengzhou Xinzheng |
Hubei | Wuhan Tianhe |
Hunan | Changsha Huanghua, Zhangjiajie Hehua |
Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, Jieyang Chaoshan, Nansha Port, Shekou Port, Pazhou Terminal, Hengqin Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Zhongshan Port, West Kowloon Station |
Hainan | Haikou Meilan, Sanya Phoenix |
Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei |
Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao |
Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei |
Shaanxi | Xi'an Xianyang |
Shanxi | Taiyuan Wusu |
Heilongjiang | Harbin Taiping |
Guangxi | Nanning Wuxu, Guilin Liangjiang, Beihai Fucheng, Beihai Port |
Sichuan | Chengdu Shuangliu, Chengdu Tianfu |
Yunnan | Kunming Changshui, Lijiang Sanyi, Mohan Railway Port |
Where Can Travelers Go?
The policy covers 24 provinces, but permitted areas vary:
Full Provincial Access (18 regions)
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Hainan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Shaanxi
Limited Areas (6 regions)
Province/Region | Permitted Cities |
Shanxi | Taiyuan, Datong |
Heilongjiang | Harbin |
Jiangxi | Nanchang, Jingdezhen |
Guangxi | Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin |
Sichuan | Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, Ziyang |
Yunnan | Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, Lijiang |
Can Travelers Exit from a Different City?
Yes. Travelers can enter through one port and depart from another, as long as:
The itinerary remains within authorized areas
Departure occurs before the 240-hour period expires
The departure port is covered by the policy
What Activities Are Allowed?
Permitted | Prohibited |
Tourism | Employment |
Business | Study |
Family visits | Journalistic activities |
Transit | Activities requiring prior authorization |
Read Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
National Immigration Administration | |
240-Hour Transit FAQ |
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