transit-visa-summary

What is the 240-Hour (10-Day) Visa-Exemption Transit Policy?

The 240-Hour Visa-Exemption Transit Policy is one of the visa-free policies that China provides to eligible foreigners.

According to the latest policy from the China National Immigration Administration on December 17, 2023, foreign travelers from 54 countries that meet the conditions can enter and exit China from designated ports, stay in allowed cities, and enjoy a ten-day visa-free stay in China.

  • Europe Schengen area (25 countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
  • Europe (15 other countries): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus.
  • Americas (6 countries): the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
  • Oceania (2 countries): Australia and New Zealand.
  • Asia (6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

❗❗❗ Important Note:

Notably, under this policy, visa-free travelers can cross provincial boundaries within the 24 eligible regions, offering greater flexibility for regional travel.

In order to be eligible for visa-free transit, you must travel to a third country after leaving China. Entering China under the visa-free transit policy without continuing to a third country will be considered illegal entry. The border control authorities will not issue temporary entry permits to a foreigner if:

  • His/her passport or any other international travel document is expiring in less than three months, or any of his/her travel documents has a rejection stamp by a visa-issuing agency in China;
  • He/she has a record of illegal entry or exit, illegal residence, or illegal employment within the last five years. Foreigners under these circumstances are not entitled to the 240-hour visa-free transit.