What Is China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy? (2026 Update)
The 10-day (240-hour) visa-free transit policy makes it more convenient than ever to explore China. With 65 cities now included, you can travel most parts of China without applying for a visa. At the same time, figuring out the eligible routes, application documents, and travel scope can still be confusing. In this guide, you'll find the essential information about the visa free transit policy.
The Forbidden City in Beijing
What Travel Routes Qualify for the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
We understand that the most challenging part is figuring out whether your travel itinerary complies with the visa-free transit policy. Actually, the visa-free transit policy means passing through China to reach a third country or region (such as Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan). You can see China as a transit stop, not your final destination.
Below are some sample routes to help you better understand how the policy works.
Valid Itinerary Examples
√ USA → Beijing → Zhangjiajie → Shanghai → Japan → USA
√ USA → Shanghai → Xi'an → Guilin → Hong Kong → USA
√ USA → Hong Kong → Guilin → Chengdu → Shanghai → Thailand
Invalid Itinerary Examples
×USA → Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Shanghai → USA
×USA → Hong Kong → Guangzhou → Chengdu → Xi'an → Hong Kong → USA
Not sure if your trip fits? Just contact us. Based on your interests and schedule, we will design a visa-free itinerary for you, giving you a fulfilling China experience.
Which Countries Are Eligible for China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
The policy currently covers the following 55 countries. See if you're eligible.
- European citizens (40 countries): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
- Americans (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Republic of Chile.
- Oceanians (2 countries): Australia and New Zealand.
- Asians (7 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Indonesia.
Among the eligible countries, 25 are from the Schengen Area.
What to Prepare Before Entering China?
Jiuzhaigou Waterfalls in Sichuan
Before you arrive in China, make sure you have these 3 required documents ready:
- Valid passports held by nationals of the 55 eligible countries (valid for no less than three months).
- Confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region, with fixed dates and seats, departing within 240 hours and booked before arrival.
- An arrival card, including personal information, travel document & visa details, travel itinerary, purpose of visit, and your address of stay in China. The form can be completed online in advance on the website:
https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/entry-registation-home
Oh, by the way, don't forget about accommodation registration. Hotels will take care of this at check-in. If you stay in a private residence (for example, a friend's home), your host must register your stay with the local police within 24 hours.
Also, if you need to stay longer due to unexpected situations like illness or emergencies, make sure to apply for a corresponding stay permits in advance through the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs. They will provide you with one based on your case.
Where Can You Go Under the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an
With the 10-day visa-free transit policy, you can explore 65 cities across 24 provinces in China, including popular destinations like Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. However, regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang are not included in this policy. To make things easier, we've grouped these cities by province, so you can quickly see where you can go and plan your route with confidence.
Included Cities & Regions
The popular destinations are flexible include Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, Guilin, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hangzhou, and Harbin, etc.
Beyond the usual tourist hotspots, the policy also covers parts of the following regions: Hunan, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Hubei, Fujian, Shandong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Jiangxi.
Excluded Cities & Regions
The following seven provinces and regions are not included in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy: Tibet, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin. If you plan to visit any of these destinations, you will still need to apply for a China visa in advance.
How Are the 240 Hours Calculated?
Shanghai Yu Garden
The period of stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry, not from the actual time of entry. This gives you a full 10 days to plan your China tour. So that you can have a good rest on your arrival day, and start your trip the next day full of energy. Here is a simple guide to help you count the days.
- Start Time: 00:00 on the day after entry
- Total Duration: 240 hours (10 full days)
- End Time: 23:59 on the 10th day after the start date (local time)
For example, if you arrive in Beijing at 16:20 on June 12, the 240-hour period starts at 00:00 on June 13 and ends at 24:00 on June 22.
Recommended Visa-free Transit Tours
We understand that planning an international trip can be overwhelming, so we’ve handpicked a few sample itineraries for your reference. We can also tailor-make a personalized tour based on your preferences.
Route 1: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Hong Kong
This tour perfect for first-time visitors. If you've ever dreamed of wandering through China's top attractions, such as the Great Wall in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, the Bund in Shanghai, and skyline in Hong Kong. This tour gives you enough time to explore each destination's history and culture.
Route 2: Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing, South Korea
This journey takes you through a cross-border East Asian cultural experience. If you want to see both traditional and modern destinations at the same time, it's for you. On this trip, you'll feel the differences between China and South Korea - visiting the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, Gamcheon Culture Village, and the Guard Ceremony, among others.
Still Confused about the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Tour?
Say goodbye to planning headaches and leave them to us. From the start of your trip to the very end, we're here to offer private transfers, knowledgeable English-speaking guides, and a professional support team, so you can enjoy a seamless and immersive journey in China. Just contact us or send your ideas to [email protected]. Our travel experts will reply you as soon as possible.
