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China’s 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Policy
Effective from June 12, 2025, citizens from 55 countries can now transit through China without a visa for up to 240 hours (10 days), provided they meet specific conditions, making it easier for international travelers to engage in tourism, business, and short visits while en route to a third destination.
- Eligible Nationals: Citizens of 55 countries
- Transit Requirements: Must have a valid passport and confirmed onward ticket (with a fixed date and seat) for travel to a third country or region via China
- Permitted Activities: Includes tourism, business, visits, and family reunions.
- Stay Duration and Area: Permitted to stay and move within the designated areas for no more than 240 hours (10 days)
Let’s dive into each items
Eligible Nationals: Citizens of 55 countries
This visa exemption applies to travelers with a valid passport from one of the 55 eligible countries, including:
| Europe Schengen area | 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 |
| Other countries in Europe | Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus |
| Americas | the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile |
| Asia | Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Indonesia |
| Oceania | Australia and New Zealand |
Transit Requirements
If you just want to travel China, you should apply 30-Day Visa-Free Entry, not 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
A confirmed onward ticket with a fixed departure date and seat number to a third country or region within 240 hours.
- Must be a ticket departing China to a third country or region.
- Return flights back to the original country of departure (e.g., Tokyo → Shanghai → Tokyo) are not eligible.
- The ticket must include a confirmed departure date and seat number
A valid passport or other international travel document with at least three months’ validity remaining from the date of arrival
- Must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of arrival in China.
- Who have been denied a Chinese visa by visa authorities, or who have a record of illegal entry, residence, or employment in China within the past five years, will not be granted a temporary entry permit by border inspection authorities
A completed foreigner transit arrival card, to be filled out upon entry into China..
- Provided on the plane or at the entry port.
- Prepare your accommodation details and flight information in advance for easy completion
Permitted Activities
Permitted Activities
Details: Activities allowed include tourism, business meetings, visiting friends, or family reunions.
Key Points:
- Tourism includes sightseeing, cultural exploration, and leisure activities.
- Business activities are limited to meetings, negotiations, or short-term engagements; long-term or paid work is prohibited.
- Provide proof of activity (e.g., hotel bookings, invitation letters) if requested by immigration officers.
Restricted Activities
Details: Activities such as work, study, or news interviews require prior approval and a valid visa.
Key Points:
- Engaging in prohibited activities (e.g., paid employment or academic enrollment) violates the policy and may lead to legal consequences.
- Media professionals planning interviews or reporting must secure a journalist visa (J-visa) in advance
- .
Stay Duration and Area
The 240-hour period starts from 00:00 of the day following entry (e.g., if you arrive on June 15 at 14:00, the countdown begins at 00:00 on June 16 and ends at 23:59 on June 25).
Stay is restricted to the administrative region of the entry port
Finally, we include the official website of the National Immigration Administration(NIA), where you can easily double-check the latest policies
