240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Guide

Quick Answer (30 Seconds)

China offers a 240-hour (10-day) transit visa exemption for citizens of 55 countries. The condition: you fly from Country A to China, then transit to Country B (a third country), and can enter China through designated ports for a stay of up to 240 hours (10 days). You need a pre-booked onward connecting ticket to a third country (with confirmed date and seat), and your passport must be valid for 3+ months. Entry is through designated ports (currently 65 ports), and your activity area is limited to 24 provinces/municipalities, with some inter-provincial travel allowed. Tibet is off-limits. This is perfect for travelers going to Japan/Southeast Asia who want to spend a few days in China along the way. The difference from unilateral visa-free entry: visa-free means you can enter directly without a transit purpose, while 240-hour transit requires an actual "transit" itinerary.

Remember: 240 hours = 10 days. You must have an onward ticket, and Tibet is off-limits.

Full Guide

I've lived in China for five years and seen too many foreign friends confuse "visa-free" with "transit visa exemption." These are two completely different policies: visa-free means "come to China for tourism without a visa," while transit visa exemption means "you're already transiting through China, so we let you stay a few days."

What Is the 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption

Transit Visa Exemption — You depart from Country A, transit through China, and continue to Country B (a third country). When you enter at a Chinese port, you don't need a visa, and can stay up to 240 hours (10 days)
Core requirement: You must have a genuine "transit" — from Country A to China, then from China to Country B, where A is not B. A round trip to the same country doesn't count as transit
Previously there were 72-hour and 144-hour versions; in December 2024, these were unified and extended to 240 hours, with the list of eligible countries expanded

Eligible Countries (55, Continuously Expanding)

As of June 2025, 55 countries are eligible for the 240-hour transit visa exemption, mainly including:

Europe — UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Greece, Portugal, and about 40 European countries total
Americas — USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile (6 total)
Oceania — Australia, New Zealand
Asia — Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, Qatar, UAE, Indonesia
The complete list can be found on the National Immigration Administration website

Requirements (All Must Be Met)

Onward ticket to a third country — You must hold a connecting ticket with a confirmed date and seat, proving you will leave China within 240 hours for a third country. Country A → China → Country B, where A is not B
Passport validity — Passport must be valid for 3+ months
Entry through designated ports — Enter China through a designated port (see below)
Fill out arrival card — Complete the "Foreigner Arrival Card" on the plane or at entry
No advance application needed — at the port, immigration verifies you meet the conditions and lets you through

Designated Ports (65)

Ports eligible for 240-hour transit visa exemption include:

Beijing — Capital International Airport, Daxing International Airport, Beijing West Railway Station (railway port)
Shanghai — Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Port (international cruise terminals), Shanghai Railway Station
Guangzhou — Baiyun International Airport, Nansha Port cruise terminal
Chengdu — Tianfu International Airport, Shuangliu International Airport
Xi'an — Xianyang International Airport
Hangzhou — Xiaoshan International Airport
Xiamen, Kunming, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Dalian, Harbin, Shenyang, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Nanning, Urumqi and other cities' major airports
Land ports — Shenzhen Huanggang, Shenzhen Bay, Zhuhai Gongbei and some other land ports are also eligible
Check the complete port list in National Immigration Administration announcements — confirm your entry port is on the list before traveling

Activity Area: 24 Provinces with Inter-Provincial Travel

After the December 2024 policy optimization, the 240-hour transit visa exemption allows activity within 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities)
Some provinces allow inter-provincial travel — for example, entering in Beijing means you can visit Tianjin and Hebei
Tibet is off-limits — Tibet is not included in the transit visa exemption activity area. To visit Tibet, you need to separately arrange a Tibet Travel Permit
Unopened areas are off-limits — Some border regions and military-controlled zones are not accessible
Immigration will inform you of your activity area at entry — confirm your itinerary cities are all within the allowed range

How 240 Hours Is Calculated

Counted from midnight of the day after entry. For example, if you enter at 3 PM on January 1, the 240 hours start from 0:00 on January 2, and you must leave before 24:00 on January 11
Note: 240 hours is not 10 calendar days — the day of entry doesn't count
You must depart before the 240 hours expire — overstaying is illegal

Difference from Unilateral Visa-Free Entry

Unilateral visa-free entry (since March 2024) — China offers unilateral visa-free entry to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and others. You can enter directly for tourism without a transit purpose, for stays up to 30 days. No onward ticket required
240-hour transit visa exemption — Requires a genuine "transit" (onward ticket to a third country), 10-day stay
If your country is eligible for both, prioritize unilateral visa-free entry (more flexible, longer stay). The 240-hour transit exemption is for citizens of countries not covered by unilateral visa-free entry (e.g., USA, Canada, UK with certain passport types)

Who Is It For

Travelers going to Japan, South Korea, or Southeast Asia who book flights with a layover in China and want to explore for a few days
Business travelers who don't have time to get a visa and use transit exemption as an emergency option (but business activity scope is limited — for formal business, an M visa is recommended)
Foreigners who want to test the waters of China travel without getting a visa
Multinational company employees who need short-term visits for training or meetings and can't go through the formal visa process in time

Practical Tips

Book your itinerary carefully — Ensure your route is Country A → China → Country B, where A is not B. For example, USA → Beijing → Tokyo works; USA → Beijing → USA does not
Tell immigration at entry — When you reach the counter, tell the immigration officer "transit visa exemption" and have your onward ticket and hotel booking ready
Save your entry stamp page — Immigration will verify your entry time and stay duration at departure. Take a photo of the entry stamp page as backup
Check the port list in advance — Confirm your entry airport or port is on the eligible list. If you enter through a non-designated port, you can't use the transit exemption and need a visa in advance

Disaster Manual

Disaster Scenario 1: No Onward Ticket — Denied Entry

Problem: You plan to use the 240-hour transit visa exemption, but only have a round-trip ticket to China with no onward ticket to a third country. Immigration won't let you through.

What to do:

The hard requirement for transit exemption is an "onward connecting ticket to a third country." Without it, you don't meet the conditions, and immigration has the right to deny entry
On-the-spot fix: Use your phone to buy a ticket from China to Japan/South Korea/Thailand/Vietnam right there (budget airlines are cheap), and show it to immigration
No time at all? You'll be sent back to your origin. Booking an onward ticket in advance is mandatory
Lesson: Before departure, confirm you have a connecting ticket with a confirmed date and seat — print it out as backup

Disaster Scenario 2: Went to an Area Outside the Allowed Range

Problem: You entered with the 240-hour transit visa exemption and traveled to a province not in your allowed activity area.

What to do:

Immigration will clearly inform you of your activity area at entry. Going outside the range is a violation of stay conditions
Most cases are caught at departure — you may be warned or face restrictions on future entry
Going to Tibet? Not possible. Tibet is not in any transit exemption activity area, and visiting Tibet requires a separate Tibet Travel Permit
Lesson: Ask immigration clearly about your activity area at entry, and only plan your itinerary within allowed provinces

Disaster Scenario 3: Overstayed the 240 Hours

Problem: You had too much fun in China and forgot the 240-hour deadline.

What to do:

Overstaying is illegal — you'll face review at departure
Short overstay (a few hours to a day): Go to the Exit-Entry Administration proactively to explain — may just be a fine and warning
Long overstay: Fine ¥500/day (up to ¥10,000 total), or 5-15 days detention; may affect future Chinese visa applications
Lesson: Calculate your deadline at entry and set a phone alarm. Book your departure flight for the day before the deadline for a safety margin

Information verified: August 2026 · Sources: National Immigration Administration (nia.gov.cn) transit visa exemption policy announcements, including the June 2025 announcement (Indonesia added, bringing total to 55 countries) and the November 2025 announcement (5 ports added, total from 60 to 65), Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC · Eligible countries and ports may expand — check official latest announcements.