China Transit Visa-Free Policies

Understand China’s 24-hour and 240-hour visa-free transit arrangements, the eligible countries, and the ports where these policies apply.

24-Hour Transit Visa-Free

All foreign nationals transiting through China may enjoy visa-free entry within 24 hours, provided they remain inside the port-controlled area or obtain permission for a temporary stay.

Any traveler holding a valid international travel document and a confirmed onward ticket may transit China via any open port for up to 24 hours. Remaining inside the port’s restricted zone requires no additional procedures; those wishing to leave the zone must request a temporary entry permit from the border inspection authority at the port of arrival.

  • Applies to all open ports (air, sea, and rail) across mainland China.
  • Proof of onward travel with a confirmed seat is required.
  • Transit must be to a third country or region; returns to the departure point are not permitted.
  • Stay must not exceed 24 hours from arrival time.

240-Hour Transit Visa-Free

Travelers from 55 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours when connecting to a third destination through designated ports.

Eligible Countries 55
Applicable Ports 60
Maximum Stay 10 days

Passengers must hold a valid passport, a confirmed onward ticket dated within 240 hours, and arrive from and depart to different countries or regions. During the visa-free stay, travelers may engage in tourism, business, visits, or short-term exchanges within the permitted region; employment, study, and media activities still require prior approval and the appropriate visa.

  • Entry and exit must be through one of the 60 approved ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities.
  • Travelers may move freely within the designated stay area linked to their port of entry.
  • Maximum stay is 240 hours (10 days) counted from 00:00 on the day following entry.

Eligible Countries (55)

The 240-hour visa-free transit applies to the following passports:

Applicable Ports & Stay Areas

Travelers eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit must enter through one of the ports below and remain within the corresponding permitted stay area.

Province Applicable Ports Permitted Stay Area
Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing Daxing International Airport
 Beijing
Tianjin
Tianjin Binhai International Airport
Port of Tianjin (Passenger)
 Tianjin
Hebei
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Qinhuangdao Port (Passenger)
 Hebei Province
Liaoning
Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
Port of Dalian (Passenger)
 Liaoning Province
Shanghai
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Port of Shanghai (Passenger)
 Shanghai
Jiangsu
Nanjing Lukou International Airport
Sunan Shuofang International Airport
Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport
Port of Lianyungang (Passenger)
 Jiangsu Province
Zhejiang
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
Ningbo Lishe International Airport
Wenzhou Longwan International Airport
Yiwu Airport
Port of Wenzhou (Passenger)
Port of Zhoushan (Passenger)
 Zhejiang Province
Anhui
Hefei Xinqiao International Airport
Huangshan Tunxi International Airport
 Anhui Province
Fujian
Fuzhou Changle International Airport
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport
Wuyishan Airport
Port of Xiamen (Passenger)
 Fujian Province
Shandong
Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport
Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport
Yantai Penglai International Airport
Weihai Dashuibo International Airport
Port of Qingdao (Passenger)
 Shandong Province
Henan
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
 Henan Province
Hubei
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
 Hubei Province
Hunan
Changsha Huanghua International Airport
Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport
 Hunan Province
Guangdong
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Nansha Port (Passenger)
Shekou Port (Passenger)
 Guangdong Province (exit permitted through all open ports in the province)
Hainan
Haikou Meilan International Airport
Sanya Phoenix International Airport
 Hainan Province
Chongqing
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
 Chongqing
Guizhou
Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport
 Guizhou Province
Shaanxi
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
 Shaanxi Province
Shanxi
Taiyuan Wusu International Airport
 Taiyuan and Datong
Heilongjiang
Harbin Taiping International Airport
 Harbin
Jiangxi
Nanchang Changbei International Airport
 Nanchang and Jingdezhen
Guangxi
Nanning Wuxu International Airport
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Beihai Fucheng Airport
Port of Beihai (Passenger)
 Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin
Sichuan
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
 Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, Ziyang
Yunnan
Kunming Changshui International Airport
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
Mohan Railway Port
 Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, Lijiang

Transit Tips

  • Keep boarding passes and travel itineraries handy for inspection on arrival.
  • Ensure your onward flight departs within the allowed visa-free time window.
  • Plan your stay inside the permitted cities or provinces; leaving the area may invalidate visa-free status.
  • For multi-leg trips within China, consider purchasing domestic tickets that depart from ports inside the allowed region.