China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy Ultimate Guide

What is China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy? - Citizens of 55 countries who hold an ordinary passport with at least 3 months of validity and an onward flight, train, or cruise ticket to a third country (or region) within 240 hours can transit in designated areas of 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China’s Mainland for up to 240 hours without a visa.

1. Check Eligibility - nationals from 55 countries eligible

The 240-hour visa-free stay applies to nationals from 55 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, ‌Indonesia, and more. Confirm that your nationality is on the list of eligible countries.

2. Choose Your Ports of Entry - 60 ports

There are now 60 open ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free policy across 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi’an. You can enter China via any of these ports without a visa, as long as you meet the requirements. Confirm that your entry/exit ports are on the list of eligible ports.

3. Onward Ticket to a Third Country or Region

You must provide proof of a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, with a departure date within 240 hours. All countries and regions outside China’s Mainland are considered third-party countries or regions, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and others. Three eligible itinerary examples:

Los Angeles – Beijing – Shanghai – Hong Kong
Toronto – Tokyo – Shanghai – Bangkok
London – Hong Kong – Guilin – Chengdu - Singapore

4. Plan Your Stay Within the 240-Hour Window

The 240-hour period starts at 00:00 (GMT+8) on the second day after your entry. For example, if you arrive in China at 13:00 on April 20, 2025, your 240-hour period will begin at 00:00 on April 21, 2025. Once you arrive, you can stay in China for up to 240 hours (10 days), during which you can engage in tourism, business, visiting family or friends, or other activities.

5. Cross-Provincial Travel Is Allowed

With the new policy, you are allowed to travel across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities within the permitted stay areas. For example, you could fly into Beijing and then visit cities like Xi’an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, as long as your total stay does not exceed the 240-hour limit. Confirm that your destinations to visit are on the list of eligible provinces & cities.

Popular China itineraries within 10 days

Beijing / Xian / Shanghai (8 days)
Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Shanghai (10 days)
Chengdu / Xian / Beijing (9 days)

6. How to Apply

You can apply for the visa-free transit at the border inspection office at any of the 60 eligible ports of entry. When you arrive, show your valid passport with at least 3 months of validity, and your onward flight ticket to a third destination. The border authorities will process your temporary entry, and your visa-free stay will be activated, starting the day after your entry. Read the detailed steps of application.

How to Plan Your China Trip for 240-Hour Visa Free Stay

With 10 days of visa-free stay, convenient flights, high-speed trains, and an extensive highway network, you can explore many travel destinations in China and experience its rich history and culture. If it's your first time visiting China, it's recommended to start with the classic route of Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. You can also freely combine your itinerary to visit the hometown of giant pandas, Chengdu, the Avatar-like landscapes of Zhangjiajie, the stunning karst scenery in Guilin, or the breathtaking beauty of Huangshan. Additionally, you can indulge in a luxurious and comfortable Yangtze River cruise.

Most Recommended China Tours for 240-Hour Visa Free:

8 Days Best of China Tour (Flight/Bullet Train Covered)

Itinerary: Beijing / Xian / Shanghai
Highlights: Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Terracotta Warriors & Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Tianzifang, Jade Buddha Temple

6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High-speed Train Tour (Most Valuable)

Itinerary: Beijing / Xian
Highlights: Landmark Attractions, Leisure Pace, Bullet Train Beijing to Xian

10 Days China History & Landscape Tour

Itinerary: Hong Kong / Guilin / Xian / Beijing
Highlights: Guilin Li River Cruise, Yangshuo, Terracotta Warriors, Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall

9 Days Pandas Terracotta Warriors Great Wall Encounter by High Speed Trains

Itinerary: Chengdu / Leshan / Emeishan / Xian / Beijing
Highlights: Panda, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Bullet Train, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, Great Wall

9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train

Itinerary: Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan
Highlights: The Bund, Lingering Garden, Suzhou Silk Museum, Zhouzhuang Water Town, West Lake, Yellow Mountain, Hongcun and Xidi Ancient Villages

If you prefer, you can also choose our customized travel services. As a leading China travel agency, we have managed to help more than ten thousands of guests travel in China successfully with our tailor-made China tours since our establishment in 2011.

Below are some of the Top China Destinations for you to choose with recommended trip durations. You can also use our Customize China Tour Tool to design your own Visa-free China Trip.

Beijing

Trip duration: (about 3~4 days)

No. 1 destinations in China with 8 world heritage sites.

Shanghai

Trip duration: (about 2~3 days)

Blend of tradition and fashion. Gateway to Hangzhou, Suzhou...

Xian

Trip duration: (about 2~3 days)

China's historical essence, home to Terracotta Warrriors...

Guilin

Trip duration: (about 3~4 days)

China's most beautiful mountain and river landscape

Zhangjiajie

Trip duration: (about 4~5 days)

Masterpieace of China's natural landscape, unique Avatar exploration.

Chengdu

Trip duration: (about 2~3 days)

hometown of Giant Pandas, leisure life style...

Hangzhou

Trip duration: (about 2~3 days)

Enjoy the best scenery and culture of the "heaven on earth"

Suzhou

Trip duration: (about 2~3 days)

A wonderful destination to see the elegant ancient gardens, water towns, etc.

Chongqing

Trip duration: (about 2~3 days)

A city that blends modern development with rich cultural and natural heritage

Guangzhou

Trip duration: (about 2~3 days)

Great urban culture, diverse experiences...

Harbin

Trip duration: (about 3~4 days)

famous for the joy of winter ice and snow, exotic charm with Chinese culture

Kunming

Trip duration: (about 3~4 days)

Mild climate, diverse culture, and breathtaking natural scenery

Other China Visa Free Policies

30 Days Visa Free - Countries Mutual Exemption of Visa with China

Citizens of below countries holding a valid ordinary passport are exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit, or transit in the territory of the other contracting party, with a single stay not exceeding 30 days (or 60 days, 90 days varying by countries) and a cumulative stay not exceeding 90 days within 180 days.

Eligible countries include Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei, Malaysia, Uzbekistan; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.

30 Days China Visa Free - Eligible Countries

China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for 36 eligible countries, including several European nations — Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, South Korea and Japan are included. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay in Latin America are also eligible.

Ordinary passport holders of the above-mentioned countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 30 days. Read more »

Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Margarette

Visa Inquiry – Philippine Passport (HK 2 nights → Shenzhen 1–2 nights)

Hi,

I would like to ask if Philippine passport holders are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit in Shenzhen. We are a family of 7 planning a short sidetrip to Shenzhen for 1 or 2 nights. We will be staying in Hong Kong first for 2 nights, then visiting Shenzhen, and afterward returning to Hong Kong.

Thank you, and I look forward to your response.

2025-06-04 23:56

Hi,

Philippine passport is not eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit in Shenzhen. You can apply for a visa, or try to apply for visa on arrival but it is not secured.

China Discovery 2025-06-05 10:40

Evgeny

Beijing - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guangzhou

Tell me please, is it possible to fly from country A to Beijing, then fly to Guilin, see the Longji rice terraces, take a tour of Yangshuo, then take a train to Guangzhou and fly to country B? As far as I understand, the terraces and Yangshuo are in zones not allowed for transit?

2025-06-04 05:10

Hi,

Your itinerary is eligible. Longjing terraces and Yangshuo are within administrative region of Guilin which is in the permitted regions of 240 hour visa free transit policy.

Find some Guilin Yangshuo Longji tour here https://www.chinadiscovery.com/guilin-tours.html

China Discovery 2025-06-04 10:14

Dan

TWOV eligible?

USA passport. Would this itinerary be eligible?

Flight Indonesia to Hong Kong, stay in HK 4 days
Flight HK to Beijing
Train Beijing to Shanghai
Train Shanghai to HK, flight HK to USA on same day

2025-06-03 06:38

Hi,

Your itinerary is not eligible. After Shanghai, you cannot return to Hong Kong. You can fly to another country or region, or you can try this route: Hong Kong - Macau - Beijing - Shanghai - Hong Kong.

2025-06-04 10:49

Noah

Hong Kong Kowloon Train station valid entry point?

Hello, would this itinerary work: London > Hong Kong > Shanghai > London? Using direct HK high speed rail to Shanghai?

2025-06-02 15:37

Hi,

London > Hong Kong > Shanghai > London: itinerary is ok, but you cannot use direct train from HK to Shanghai. It's not eligible. HK West Kowloon can only be used as exit station. You can take the flight.

2025-06-04 10:53

JW

Eligible for 10 day visa-free transit?

I and my 2 children are US citizens. We have tickets to the international airports from Osaka -> Dalian, and then from Beijing -> Boston, but there is 2.5 hour layover at Doha international airport Qatar. Total of 9 days in China this July. Would that be eligible? i.e. does that brief stop in Qatar count as being travel a 3rd country even though we are just returning to the US?

2025-06-02 13:29

Your itinerary is eligible, as long as you are not returning to Japan after leaving Beijing.

China Discovery 2025-06-04 10:57

Geg

Trip Tokyo - Beijing - Shanghai - Malaysia

Hi, I wanted to check the following.
We are Italian and British and live in Malaysia. We will fly to Beijing from Tokyo and then leave from Shanghai to KL.
1) Will the above itinerary qualify for the 240-hour visa free, even if we live in Malaysia and will return to Malaysia directly from Shanghai.
2) Duration: we are thinking of arriving on July 28th. Am I right that the 240-visa period will start on July 29th and so we can stay in China until August 8th?
Thanks.

2025-05-21 05:14

Yes, your itinerary is qualified for 240-hour visa free transit. It will start from 00:00 of July 29, and you can stay to August 7.

China Discovery 2025-05-21 09:44

Yuriy

Trip Hong Kong->Shenzhen->Guangzhou-> Kuala-Lumpur (10 days visa rule)

My plan is the following:
- Flight from Da Nang to Hong Kong
- Trip from Hong Kong to Shenzhen (what transport options are available for me?)
- Train from Shenzhen to Guangzhou
- Flight from Guangzhou to Kuala Lumpur

Is it eligible?

2025-05-19 08:12

Eligible but you must use ferry to Shekou Port for your trip from Hong Kong to Shenzhen.

China Discovery 2025-05-20 11:16

Adam

Visa free transit from HK for Canadian

Can I fly into Hong Kong, take the train to Shenzhen, receiving a 240-hour visa-free transit permission, spend four days in Shenzhen and then fly from Shenzhen airport to another country?

Can I do the opposite, flying into Shenzhen from Taiwan, receiving the visa-free transit waiver, then exit to Hong Kong, and fly out of Hong Kong to another country?

Thanks!

2025-05-11 21:23

Hi,

Train to Shenzhen from Hong Kong is not eligible, but train to Hong Kong from Shenzhen is eligible. Ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen Shekou Port is eligible.

And yes, your second plan is qualified.

China Discovery 2025-05-12 02:00