China Expands Visa-Free Transit to 240 Hours for 55 Countries

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).

The 21 Newly Added Ports

Eligible open ports increased from 39 to 60. The 21 newly added ports are:

• Shanxi: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport
• Jiangsu: Sunan Shuofang and Yangzhou Taizhou International Airports
• Zhejiang: Wenzhou Longwan and Yiwu International Airports
• Anhui: Hefei Xinqiao and Huangshan Tunxi International Airports
• Fujian: Fuzhou Changle, Quanzhou Jinjiang and Wuyishan International Airports
• Jiangxi: Nanchang Changbei International Airport
• Shandong: Jinan Yaoqiang, Yantai Penglai and Weihai Dashuibo International Airports
• Hunan: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport
• Guangxi: Nanning Wuxu and Beihai Fucheng International Airports
• Hainan: Haikou Meilan and Sanya Phoenix International Airports
• Sichuan: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
• Guizhou: Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport

Existing ports — Beijing Capital/Daxing, Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao, Guangzhou Baiyun, Xi'an Xianyang, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Kunming and others — remain eligible. The full list is published by the National Immigration Administration.

Activity Areas Expanded to 24 Provinces

Eligible provinces increased from 19 (Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Shaanxi) with the addition of Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan and Guizhou, for a total of 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. New and adjusted activity areas:

• Anhui, Hainan, Guizhou: the entire province
• Shanxi: Taiyuan and Datong
• Jiangxi: Nanchang and Jingdezhen
• Fujian, Hubei, Shaanxi: expanded to the entire province
• Guangxi: expanded to Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi and Laibin (12 cities)

Foreign nationals entering under the transit visa-free policy may travel across provincial boundaries within the permitted activity areas of these 24 provinces.

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.

Original announcement

• China Comprehensively Relaxes and Optimizes Its Transit Visa-Free Policy (National Immigration Administration)

Compiled by Keyus Visa from the National Immigration Administration announcement republished by the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles. Where this article differs from the latest official notice, the official notice prevails.