Guide for foreign nationals to learn about the 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

China National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that starting from 15th July 2024, a 240-hr transit visa policy will be implemented at more Entry/Exit Ports. So far, foreigners who come from the following 54 countries who transit (destined for a third country or region - HK, Macau, Taiwan with booked a through air ticket) in 60 Exit-Entry Ports within 240 hours are exempted from visas for China. During the visa exemption period, the passenger is allowed to move around within a designated area. Details below:

240-hour transit visa-free Q&A

Q1: Which country passport holder can apply for a 240-hour transit visa?
A: Travelers from the following 54 countries can apply for the 240-hour transit visa exemption, which is:

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Within their stay periods, they can travel, engage in business activities, visit their friends and relatives, and engage in other short-term activities (subject to the relevant provisions if applicable to mutual visa exemption agreements signed with China or China's unilateral visa exemption).

Q2: 240 hours of visa-free transit is available at which city of China?
A: Will be granted a visa-free stay of up to 240 hours while in transit via the following:

Q3: How to apply for the 240-hour China Transit visa?

A: Take Chengdu for example, after getting off the plane you will head for immigration. Look for a counter that says "240 hours Transit visa exemption", you need to provide the following documents:

• Your valid passport

• Air ticket with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country (region)   traveling within 240 hours.

• Arrival & Departure Card form (filled).

The immigration officer may ask you questions to confirm your travel plan, if everything is correct, he/she will stamp the transit visa on your passport immediately.

Q4: How is the 240-hour stay under the 240-hour transit visa exemption policy calculated?

A: The 240-hour period starts at 12:00 a.m. on the day after your arrival. For example, if a traveler arrives in Chengdu at 7:00 a.m. on December 1, their 240-hour stay begins at midnight on December 2. This means they can remain within the designated administrative areas of the 24 provinces covered by the policy until 11:59 p.m. on December 11.

If visitors are unable to depart on time due to unavoidable reasons, such as flight cancellation or treatment of sudden disease, they need to apply for a visa from the Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB).

Q5: Are there any Restrictions on the 240-hour Visa-free Transit?
A: Transit visa regulation does not apply to passengers who travel on a single return flight (e.g., London – Chengdu- London), which means the destination and place of departure can not be the same. For example:
USA - Chengdu - Seoul is available to apply for a 240-hour transit visa in Chengdu.
USA - Chengdu  - USA is NOT available to apply for a 240-hour transit visa in Chengdu.

USA - Singapore - Chengdu - USA is available to apply for a 240-hour transit visa in Chengdu.

Q6: Can I enter China from Chengdu (apply for a transit visa) and go to Beijing?
A: Yes. Travelers can now enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provinces, regions, and municipalities -- up from 39 ports in 19 provincial-level regions -- and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours.