China
China 240-hour visa-free transit: who qualifies
Key facts
- Nationals of 57 countries can transit China visa-free and stay in permitted areas for no more than 10 days (240 hours).
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
- You need an ordinary passport and an onward ticket to a third country or region with confirmed seats and departure dates.
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
- Entry is through any of 65 designated open ports in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
- Allowed activities include tourism, business, visits and family reunions. Work, study and news reporting still need prior approval and a visa.
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
- 24-hour visa-free transit applies at all open ports to nationals of all countries, if you stay in the port's restricted area.
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
- Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added on 20 August 2026, bringing the list to 57 countries.
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
The 57 countries (official English names)
Europe (40)
Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
North America (2)
Canada, United States
South America (4)
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico
Oceania (2)
Australia, New Zealand
Asia (9)
Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
Ports and permitted stay areas
The NIA publishes the list of eligible ports and permitted stay areas. Check it before you plan your route. NIA
Arrival card
Free. The NIA warns that the online arrival card is free of charge. China online arrival card (for foreigners) →
Official sources
- NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour)
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183412/content.html - National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c191530/content.html
Last verified 2026-11-13