China Expands Visa-Free Transit to 240 Hours for 55 Countries
China has extended its transit visa-free stay from 72/144 hours to 240 hours (10 days), expanded eligible ports of entry to 60, covering 24 provinces and municipalities, for citizens of 55 countries including the United States.
Source: Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles (Content sourced from official announcements. Always verify with the consulate.)
According to an announcement from the National Immigration Administration of China, the country's transit visa-free policy has been significantly expanded: the maximum stay has been extended to 240 hours (10 days), eligible ports of entry increased to 60, coverage expanded to 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, and the policy now applies to citizens of 55 countries, including the United States.
Key Policy Highlights
- Maximum Stay: Up to 240 hours (10 days) — a significant increase from the previous 72/144-hour limits.
- Eligible Countries: 55 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, and other major nations.
- Eligible Ports of Entry: 60 ports across major international hub cities in China.
- Coverage Area: 24 provinces and municipalities including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Shaanxi.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must hold a valid onward ticket to a third country or region (destination must be outside China).
- Must hold a valid entry visa or residence permit for the third destination country (waived if the destination country is visa-free for the applicant).
- Must depart within the visa-free period.
- Must enter through a designated transit visa-free port (verify your entry port is on the approved list before traveling).
Selected Eligible Ports of Entry
The following are some of the major transit visa-free ports (full list available on the National Immigration Administration website):
- Beijing: Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport
- Shanghai: Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- Guangzhou: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Chengdu: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
- Xi'an: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
- And ports in Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Kunming, and more
Important Notes
- During the transit visa-free period, travelers must remain within the designated activity zones and may not enter restricted areas.
- Overstaying the visa-free period may result in fines and could affect future visa applications.
- If your trip involves formal business meetings, official work, or study in China, a proper visa is still required.
- Always re-confirm the latest policy before travel, as immigration officers' decisions at the port of entry are final.
The 240-hour transit visa-free policy is ideal for short business trips or family visits. If you plan to stay longer than 10 days, or have formal work or business activities in China, we recommend applying for the appropriate visa in advance. Contact us to find the right option for your trip.