Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring China

About the 240-hour Transit Visa Exemption Policy

About the 240-hour Transit Visa Exemption Policy

It is a policy implemented by the Chinese government to facilitate the entry and exit of foreigners and promote international exchange and cooperation.
On December 17, 2024, the National Immigration Administration announced that, effective December 17, 2024, China's transit visa exemption policy will be fully relaxed and optimized, extending the stay duration for transit visa-exempt foreigners in China from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days), while adding 21 new ports of entry for transit visa-exempt personnel and further expanding the scope of stay and activities.
Eligible individuals from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, transiting through China to a third country (region) can enter China visa-free from any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (regions, municipalities) and stay and engage in activities within the designated areas for no more than 240 hours.

54 Countries

Open Countries

240h

Stay Duration

24 Provinces

Open Provinces

60+

Entry Ports

Frequently Asked Questions

Q&A about the 240-hour Transit Visa Exemption Policy

1. When do the 240 hours start calculating?

The 240 hours are calculated from 0:00 AM on the day following entry until 24:00 PM on the day of exit. For example: if you enter on December 1st, the 10-day visa-free period is from 0:00 AM on December 2nd to 24:00 PM on December 11th, and you must exit before 24:00 PM on December 11th.

2. Can I travel across provinces?

Yes, you can travel freely within the provinces covered by the visa-free policy within 10 days.

3. According to official policy, can I enter mainland China from Hong Kong?

No, according to policy regulations, foreigners entering from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan are not eligible for the 240-hour transit visa exemption policy. You need to apply for the corresponding visa in advance.

4. Can I purchase the onward ticket after entry?

No, you must have a confirmed onward ticket with a fixed date and seat in advance.

5. Is it allowed to enter from Guangzhou and exit from Shanghai?

Allowed, it supports entry and exit from different ports.

6. How to apply for a temporary entry permit?

There are dedicated counters at designated ports (e.g., Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3). You need to fill out the "Temporary Entry Card for Foreigners" on site, submit your passport + onward ticket, and after border inspection approval, the permit will be issued.

7. Is it applicable for transit via Hong Kong/Macau?

Allowed. For example, USA → Guangzhou → Hong Kong West Kowloon, you can apply for visa-free entry with a high-speed rail ticket; Canada → Zhuhai → Macau, the same applies with a ferry ticket.

8. Can the onward ticket include land transportation?

Allowed. For example, high-speed rail tickets from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, ferry tickets from Zhuhai to Macau, and other cross-border land, sea, and air intermodal tickets all meet the requirements.

9. What if my documents are lost?

Immediately report to the public security organ in your place of stay, apply for a stay permit at the exit-entry administration department with the "Passport Loss Report," and contact your country's embassy or consulate to reapply for travel documents.

10. How to choose between this and mutual visa exemption?

If you are a citizen of a mutually visa-exempt country like Singapore, it is recommended to directly use the 30-day visa exemption (more flexible); if only transiting, choose the 240-hour visa exemption (no visa fee required).

11. What happens if I overstay?

A fine of 500 yuan per day will be imposed, up to 10 days of detention and ordered to leave the country within a limited period, and you will not be allowed to apply for transit visa exemption within 5 years.

12. How to check real-time policies?

Search for the "National Immigration Administration" mini-program on WeChat, or call the 12367 hotline (supports 8 languages including English, Japanese, and Korean).

13. Which behaviors will be considered illegal employment?

Including commercial filming, online live streaming for profit, temporary teaching, etc., even if no labor contract is signed, it may still be deemed illegal.

14. Are there any special arrangements for processing at Beijing Capital Airport?

Terminal 3 has a "Transit Visa Exemption Fast Lane" with English, Japanese, and Korean speaking specialists, shortening processing time to within 15 minutes. Note that between 22:00 and 6:00 daily, you need to go to the 24-hour emergency window for processing.

15. How to connect for transfer at Shanghai Pudong Airport?

It provides "Air-Rail Intermodal" services, where you can complete transit procedures directly in the satellite terminal with a high-speed rail ticket. For example: a combined ticket from Paris → Shanghai → Hangzhou East Station allows you to complete all procedures within the isolation area.

16. What are the restrictions for photography enthusiasts?

Commercial photography requires a work visa, but personal travel photography is allowed. Drone aerial photography is strictly prohibited in no-fly zones (e.g., within 500 meters of military facilities), with offenders facing fines of up to 20,000 yuan.

17. How to handle onward ticket changes?

One free change is allowed and must be completed before the 7th day of the stay period. For example, if the original D10 Hong Kong flight is changed to D11, you need to file with the border inspection station at the port of entry with the new ticket before D7.

18. Are cross-border high-speed rail tickets recognized?

Tickets for international services such as the China-Laos Railway (Kunming → Vientiane) and China-Vietnam Railway (Nanning → Hanoi) are recognized. Both paper tickets and electronic ticket numbers need to be provided for verification.

19. How to apply for pre-approval via WeChat?

Submit your passport front page + e-ticket in the "Immigration Bureau" mini-program. The AI system generates a "Transit Pre-approval Code" in 10 minutes, which can reduce processing time at the port by 50%.

20. Which behaviors may cause misunderstandings?

Avoid taking photos with a "V" gesture in front of government agencies or photographing people in ethnic minority costumes without permission. Be aware of dress code requirements in religious venues (e.g., no shorts in temples).

21. How to seek medical attention for sudden illness?

You can register for emergency treatment at hospitals above Level II with your passport. Beijing Xiehe / Shanghai Ruijin and 53 other foreign-related hospitals are recommended. Keep medical receipts to apply for an extension of stay.

22. How to apply for an extension due to sudden illness?

You need to provide a hospital diagnosis certificate and apply to the exit-entry administration department of the municipal public security bureau in your place of stay 3 working days before the expiry of your stay period. The extension can be up to 30 days.