China visa free transit extended to 240 hours (10 days)
On December 17, 2024, China significantly expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending the allowable stay for eligible foreign travellers to 240 hours (10 days) from the previous 72 or 144 hours.
This policy change is part of China’s broader efforts to boost international tourism and economic engagement following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. In the third quarter of 2024, China experienced a 48.8% year-on-year increase in inbound trips, with over half facilitated by visa-free policies.
This policy change is part of China’s broader efforts to boost international tourism and economic engagement following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. In the third quarter of 2024, China experienced a 48.8% year-on-year increase in inbound trips, with over half facilitated by visa-free policies.
Restrictions
- Transit Requirement: Travelers must be in transit to a third country (i.e., their destination after China must differ from their point of origin).
- Entry/Exit points: Travelers are allowed to enter and leave the country through specific entry and exit points (see the list below).
- Citizenship: Only passport holders from specified countries are allowed to take advantage of 220-hour visa free entry (see the list of eligible countries below).
- Stay Within Designated Areas: During the 10-day visa-free period, travellers can stay within specified regions corresponding to their port of entry.
- Necessary Documentation: Travelers should possess a valid passport, confirmed onward tickets, and, if required, a visa for their final destination.
Extended Duration Of Stay
Eligible travellers can now stay in China for up to 10 days without a visa, providing greater flexibility for tourism, business, and family visits.Expanded Entry Points
The policy now includes 60 ports of entry across 24 provinces, enhancing accessibility for international visitors:- Beijing
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Beijing Daxing International Airport
- Tianjin
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport
- Tianjin Port (Passenger)
- Hebei
- Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
- Qinhuangdao Port (Passenger)
- Liaoning
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
- Dalian Port (Passenger)
- Shanghai
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Shanghai Port (Passenger)
- Jiangsu
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport
- Su’nan Shuofang International Airport
- Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport
- Lianyungang Port (Passenger)
- Zhejiang
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
- Ningbo Lishe International Airport
- Wenzhou Longwan International Airport
- Yiwu Airport
- Wenzhou Port (Passenger)
- Zhoushan Port (Passenger)
- Anhui
- Hefei Xinqiao International Airport
- Huangshan Tunxi International Airport
- Fujian
- Fuzhou Changle International Airport
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
- Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport
- Wuyishan Airport
- Xiamen Port (Passenger)
- Shandong
- Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport
- Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport
- Yantai Penglai International Airport
- Weihai Dashuipo International Airport
- Qingdao Port (Passenger)
- Henan
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
- Hubei
- Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
- Hunan
- Changsha Huanghua International Airport
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport
- Guangdong
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
- Nansha Port (Passenger)
- Shekou Port (Passenger)
- Hainan
- Haikou Meilan International Airport
- Sanya Phoenix International Airport
- Chongqing
- Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
- Guizhou
- Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport
- Shaanxi
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
- Shanxi
- Taiyuan Wusu International Airport
- Heilongjiang
- Harbin Taiping International Airport
- Jiangxi
- Nanchang Changbei International Airport
- Guangxi
- Nanning Wuxu International Airport
- Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
- Beihai Fucheng Airport
- Beihai Port (Passenger)
- Sichuan
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
- Yunnan
- Kunming Changshui International Airport
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
- Mohan Railway Port
Passport holders from the following 54 countries are eligible for 220-hour visa free entry:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
Permitted areas of stay
- Beijing: Beijing Municipality
- Tianjin: Tianjin Municipality
- Hebei: Hebei Province
- Liaoning: Liaoning Province
- Shanghai: Shanghai Municipality
- Jiangsu: Jiangsu Province
- Zhejiang: Zhejiang Province
- Anhui: Anhui Province
- Fujian: Fujian Province
- Shandong: Shandong Province
- Henan: Henan Province
- Hubei: Hubei Province
- Hunan: Hunan Province
- Guangdong: Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province)
- Hainan: Hainan Province
- Chongqing: Chongqing Municipality
- Guizhou: Guizhou Province
- Shaanxi: Shaanxi Province
- Shanxi: Taiyuan City and Datong City
- Heilongjiang: Harbin City
- Jiangxi: Nanchang City and Jingdezhen City
- Guangxi: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin
- Sichuan: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, and Ziyang
- Yunnan: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang
