How China's 24h & 240-hour transit visa-free policies work

Policy overview

China implements two main types of transit visa-free policies. First, as a general rule, all foreign nationals transiting through any Chinese port of entry may enjoy 24-hour visa-free transit if they stay within the port area for no more than 24 hours and hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. Second, with State Council approval, China has expanded and unified its previous 72-hour and 144-hour schemes into a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for nationals of 55 countries (list below) at designated ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Eligible travelers under the 240-hour scheme may enter and leave through specified ports in the covered regions and stay within the permitted administrative areas for up to 240 hours without a visa.

Ports and visa-free stay scope

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy currently applies at 65 ports of entry and exit across 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China. The table below groups these ports by province or coordinated region and lists representative ports and a high-level summary of the permitted stay scope. For the most detailed and up-to-date list of specific ports and stay areas, always refer to the latest official NIA announcements.

Application requirements

For 240-hour visa-free transit, applicants must hold a valid passport or other international travel document and a confirmed onward ticket (with date and seat) to a third country or region within 240 hours. They must complete the Temporary Entry Card for Foreigners and answer questions from the border inspection authority. Foreign crew and their accompanying family members on international vessels are not eligible under this policy.

When temporary entry may be refused

Border inspection may refuse to issue the temporary entry permit if the foreigner:

• Falls under circumstances where entry is not permitted by law or regulation;
• Holds a passport or travel document valid for less than 3 months, or bears a visa refusal stamp from Chinese authorities;
• Has a record of illegal entry/exit, illegal stay, or illegal employment in the past 5 years;
• Has committed a serious violation of accommodation registration rules in the past 2 years.

Obligations during the stay

During their visa-free stay, travelers must comply with Chinese law and must not exceed the permitted area or time limit. Those staying in a hotel must have the hotel complete accommodation registration; those staying elsewhere must have themselves or their host complete registration with the local police station or foreigner service point within 24 hours of check-in. If force majeure or other reasons require staying beyond the approved stay period within the permitted area, the traveler must apply to the public security exit-entry administration for an appropriate stay permit.

Penalties

Visa-free transit travelers who exceed the permitted area or time, leave from a non-designated port, or fail to complete accommodation registration as required may be penalized by the border inspection authority or local public security organs in accordance with the law.