Who can use China's 240-hour visa-free transit?

Citizens of 57 designated countries who enter through a designated port on an ordinary passport and continue to a third country or region.

How long may an eligible traveler stay?

For no more than 240 hours, within the selected entry port's permitted region and other officially designated areas. This is not nationwide permission; confirm the exact area and exit port with border inspection.

Policy reference

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Checker

Answer three travel questions for an immediate preliminary check. Based on the National Immigration Administration policy published August 20, 2026 (updated 2026-10-30).

Reference only. This tool is informational. Final eligibility is determined by the National Immigration Administration and by border inspection officers at the port. Read the official NIA policy.

1. Nationality / ordinary passport

All 57 eligible nationalities are listed. If yours is absent, this policy does not apply; other visa exemptions may exist.

2. Entry port

28 selected ports; the full official list has 65. An unlisted port is not automatically ineligible.

3. Route: arriving from

Onward destination

I hold an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and confirmed departure date. My total stay in China will be no more than 240 hours (10 days). I hold a valid ordinary passport.

Core rules and reminders

Direct transit A country or region → Chinese mainland → B country or region. The country or region immediately before mainland China must differ from the one immediately after it. Hong Kong and Macao can be onward regions.
Hold an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and departure date, and leave within the permitted 240-hour period. Confirm passport validity and other travel-document requirements with border inspection.
Travel only in the designated permitted areas; the result shows the selected entry port’s region, not the full cross-province list. Some ports, such as Chengdu, permit only designated cities, while Guangdong ports permit movement throughout Guangdong.
Work, study, and news reporting require appropriate prior approval and visas.
Confirm passport validity, onward entry requirements, accommodation registration, exact stay deadline and the exit port with border inspection. This checker does not assess every admission requirement.

Use the AI planner to generate a transit itinerary