Traveling in China & Visa-Free Transit

1. Overview

China operates visa-free transit policies for foreign nationals traveling onward to a third country or region, facilitating short stays. The main types are the 24-hour transit exemption and the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit.

2. Eligibility for 240-hour visa-free transit

Per the published eligibility, all of the following must be met:

• Be a citizen of a country covered by the policy;
• Hold a valid international travel document with at least 3 months' validity that meets the entry conditions of the third country (region);
• Hold an onward connecting ticket (or proof) with a confirmed date and itinerary within 240 hours to a third country (region), complete the temporary entry card, and undergo border inspection.

Eligible foreigners may apply at 60 open ports in places such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong; the visa-free stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after entry.

3. Countries and ports

The 240-hour policy now covers 57 countries (across Europe, the Americas, Oceania and Asia). Eligible ports span 60 open ports in 24 provinces/regions, and transit travelers may travel across provinces within the permitted area. Specific lists and areas follow the latest official announcements.

Note: transit visa-free stays may be used for tourism, business, visiting and family visits; activities needing prior approval — work, study, news reporting — still require a visa obtained beforehand.

4. Stay areas and limits

Stay areas are defined by province/region; most are province-wide, while some provinces limit to specific cities (e.g. Shanxi to Taiyuan and Datong, Heilongjiang to Harbin, Jiangxi to Nanchang and Jingdezhen). The stay must not exceed 240 hours; if an overstay is unavoidable due to force majeure, apply to the local exit-entry authority for the appropriate permit.

Warning: leaving the permitted area without authorization or overstaying without permission carries legal liability as illegal residence and may affect future visa applications.

5. Practical domestic-travel tips

• Transport: inter-city travel by high-speed rail, flight or coach; buy tickets at station windows or official apps such as China Railway 12306; flights and high-speed trains require a valid passport/ID.
• Hotels: the front desk registers your stay with your passport; book via licensed platforms or the hotel's official channel.
• Payment: install WeChat or Alipay and register to cover shopping, transport and bill payment.