# China visa-free check: the rules

> If your passport is on China’s list and you are flying on to a third country, you can stop over for up to 10 days without a visa. This checker walks through every condition, shows the latest time you must leave, and flags places outside the permitted area.

Rules checked 2026-10-24. Last change: 2026-08-20, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam added (55 → 57 countries). This page is the text version of the interactive checker at https://chinafootnotes.com/tools/china-visa-free-check; the rules as JSON: https://chinafootnotes.com/data/tools/transit-240.json. The visa guide explains every route: https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa.

**For reference only. The border officers at your port of entry make the final decision. Rules change; check the National Immigration Administration (nia.gov.cn) or call +86-12367 before you book.**

## Do you need the 240-hour transit at all? {#tl-need-h}

Of the 57 countries on the transit list, 42 are also on China’s 30-day visa-free list and 7 have a mutual visa-exemption agreement: their citizens can simply enter for up to 30 days ([30 days visa-free](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#visa-free-30)). The transit matters most for the 8 that are on neither: Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine, United States, Mexico, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam. The 30-day list for most countries runs to 31 Dec 2026; if your trip ends after that, the transit rules apply unless the policy is extended.

## How it works, step by step {#tl-rules-h}

1. Only nationals of the 57 listed countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit. [1] [2] [4]
2. The NIA's current pages (Aug 2026) say an ordinary passport is required; earlier NIA texts (Dec 2024, Nov 2025) say 'valid international travel document'. Treat non-ordinary passports, temporary or emergency documents as 'ask the border'. A temporary document with under 3 months' validity was refused a temporary entry permit in an official Shanghai answer. _(conflicting)_ [1] [3] [5] [6] [17] [24]
3. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months (counted on the day of entry). Under 3 months: the border will not issue the temporary entry permit. [5] [13] [14] [15]
4. You must be in transit to a third country or region: the place you arrive from and the place you fly on to must be different countries or regions. A→China→A does not qualify. [1] [2] [13] [14] [40] [30]
5. Hong Kong and Macao count as separate regions for this test (London→Shanghai→Hong Kong qualifies). Taiwan is named as a third region only in the airline's restatement of the Baiyun border station's guidance; the NIA texts just say 'third country or region'. _(HK/MO official; TW secondary)_ [26] [40] [2]
6. The origin is where your flight into China departs from. If you connect (change planes) in another country on the way, that country counts as your origin: London→Tokyo (connect)→Shanghai→London qualifies. If your flight into China only makes a stopover (same flight continues) somewhere, the stopover does not count and the origin is the flight's starting point. [28] [22]
7. You need an onward ticket (air, sea or rail) to the third country or region with a confirmed date and seat, departing within the 240-hour window. Without a ticket booked before arrival, the border cannot grant the transit. Separate tickets on different airlines are fine; a single through ticket is not required. 'Other proof documents' are accepted in some cases (e.g., a private-jet operator's written statement, per Baiyun). [5] [13] [18] [37] [40]
8. You must meet the entry requirements of the country or region you are going on to (e.g., hold its visa if one is needed). [5] [37]
9. You must enter China through one of the 65 listed ports, as an international arrival. Arriving at any other port (e.g., a land border not on the list, or Shanghai by train from elsewhere in China) does not start a 240-hour transit. [1] [2] [13]
10. You must leave China through one of the 65 listed ports (any of them, not necessarily the one you entered at). Exception: if you are in Guangdong, you may leave through any port open to foreigners in Guangdong. Other unlisted ports are not applicable. [13] [37] [1] [39] [40] [36]
11. The stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after the day you enter, for up to 240 hours. So the latest departure is 24:00 (end of day) on the 10th day after your entry date: entry on 1 Jan → leave by 24:00 on 11 Jan. [5] [31] [15] [40] [14]
12. While in China you must stay inside the permitted areas: 24 provincial-level regions, some whole and some limited to listed cities. You may cross provincial borders freely within these areas. [1] [2] [6] [32]
13. Allowed: tourism, business, visits, family visits. Not allowed without a proper visa: work, study, news reporting and other activities needing prior approval. [2] [4]
14. The border will refuse the transit if: the passport has less than 3 months' validity; it bears a Chinese visa-refusal stamp; you have a record of illegal entry/exit, illegal stay or illegal work in China in the past 5 years; or any other legal ground for refusing entry applies. A visa refusal by another country does not by itself disqualify you. [13] [14] [35] [21]
15. Nothing to apply for in advance. Fill in the arrival card (online before arrival or at the port), ask for the 240-hour transit at the border, and you receive a temporary entry permit showing entry port, time, permitted stay and area. Approval is decided on the spot by border officers. [15] [34] [5] [26]
16. A hotel booking is not listed as a requirement; the documents asked for are the passport, onward ticket (or other proof), and the arrival card. [23]
17. No age limit: children qualify if they meet the other conditions (each traveller needs their own eligible document). [15] [29]
18. If you also qualify under a mutual visa-exemption agreement or China's unilateral 30-day visa-free policy, those rules prevail. [5] [6] [37] [19]
19. If you hold a valid Chinese visa and qualify for the transit, the border gives priority to the 240-hour transit; if you want to stay longer than 240 hours, ask to enter on the visa instead. [33]
20. No routine extension. If illness, force majeure or another emergency means you must overstay or leave the permitted area, apply in advance for a stay permit at the local public security exit-entry office (county level or above). [13] [14] [32] [40]
21. Overstaying or leaving the permitted area without a stay permit is treated as illegal stay. The law allows a warning, or in serious cases a fine of RMB 500 per day (max RMB 10,000) or 5-15 days' detention; serious cases can lead to an order to leave or deportation, and it can affect future visa applications. [45] [13] [40] [41]
22. Accommodation registration still applies: hotels register you at check-in using the temporary entry permit; elsewhere, you or your host must register within 24 hours. [14] [34] [45]
23. Separate rule, all nationalities: 24-hour direct transit without leaving the port's restricted area needs no visa. Leaving the airside area (even to switch between Hongqiao and Pudong) requires a temporary entry permit at the border. [2] [25] [12]
24. Cruise passengers: Shanghai Port (Passenger), including Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, is a 240-hour port. Separately, foreign tour groups (2+) on a cruise organised by a Chinese travel agency can enter visa-free for up to 15 days at 13 cruise-port cities, staying with the ship; that is a different policy. [20] [12]
25. Rail: the only rail ports in the 65 are Mohan Railway Port (from Laos) and West Kowloon Station (from Hong Kong). Onward train tickets count as onward tickets. [1] [40]
26. Guangdong (Baiyun border station, via airline restatement): if you will leave by road to Hong Kong or Macao, a bus ticket or other proof such as an onward flight from Hong Kong/Macao or a hotel booking there may be accepted as proof of leaving within 240 hours. _(secondary)_ [40]

## How the 240 hours are counted

The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you arrive and runs for 240 hours: leave by 24:00 on the 10th day after your arrival date. Official example: arrive on 1 January (any time), leave by 24:00 on 11 January. All times are China time (UTC+8). [5] [31] [15] [40] [14]

## Who can use it: 57 countries

- **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, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
- **Americas** (6): United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico
- **Oceania** (2): Australia, New Zealand
- **Asia** (9): Brunei, Indonesia (from 2025-06-12), Japan, Kyrgyzstan (from 2026-08-20), Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam (from 2026-08-20)

## Where you can go: 24 provincial-level regions {#tl-where-h}

You can travel between these regions freely. Some are open only in the cities listed.

| Region | Open area | Ports |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing (北京市) | Whole region | Beijing Capital International Airport; Beijing Daxing International Airport |
| Tianjin (天津市) | Whole region | Tianjin Binhai International Airport; Tianjin Port (Passenger) |
| Hebei (河北省) | Whole region | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport; Qinhuangdao Port (Passenger) |
| Liaoning (辽宁省) | Whole region | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport; Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport; Dalian Port (Passenger) |
| Shanghai (上海市) | Whole region | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport; Shanghai Pudong International Airport; Shanghai Port (Passenger) |
| Jiangsu (江苏省) | Whole region | Nanjing Lukou International Airport; Su'nan Shuofang International Airport; Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport; Lianyungang Port (Passenger) |
| Zhejiang (浙江省) | Whole region | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport; Ningbo Lishe International Airport; Wenzhou Longwan International Airport; Yiwu Airport; Wenzhou Port (Passenger); Zhoushan Port (Passenger) |
| Anhui (安徽省) | Whole region | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport; Huangshan Tunxi International Airport |
| Fujian (福建省) | Whole region | Fuzhou Changle International Airport; Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport; Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport; Wuyishan Airport; Xiamen Port (Passenger) |
| Shandong (山东省) | Whole region | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport; Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport; Yantai Penglai International Airport; Weihai Dashuibo International Airport; Qingdao Port (Passenger) |
| Henan (河南省) | Whole region | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport |
| Hubei (湖北省) | Whole region | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport |
| Hunan (湖南省) | Whole region | Changsha Huanghua International Airport; Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport |
| Guangdong (广东省) | Whole region | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport; Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport; Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport; Nansha Port (Passenger); Shekou Port (Passenger); Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal; Zhongshan Port (Passenger); Hengqin Port; Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port; West Kowloon Station Port of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link |
| Hainan (海南省) | Whole region | Haikou Meilan International Airport; Sanya Phoenix International Airport |
| Chongqing (重庆市) | Whole region | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Guizhou (贵州省) | Whole region | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport |
| Shaanxi (陕西省) | Whole region | Xi'an Xianyang International Airport |
| Shanxi (山西省) | Only: Taiyuan, Datong | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport |
| Heilongjiang (黑龙江省) | Only: Harbin | Harbin Taiping International Airport |
| Jiangxi (江西省) | Only: Nanchang, Jingdezhen | Nanchang Changbei International Airport |
| Guangxi (广西壮族自治区) | Only: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin — 12 of Guangxi's 14 prefecture-level cities; Baise and Chongzuo are not listed. | Nanning Wuxu International Airport; Guilin Liangjiang International Airport; Beihai Fucheng Airport; Beihai Port (Passenger) |
| Sichuan (四川省) | Only: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, Ziyang — 11 prefecture-level cities. Aba (incl. Jiuzhaigou), Garze and Liangshan prefectures are outside the area (they are not in the list). | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport; Chengdu Tianfu International Airport |
| Yunnan (云南省) | Only: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong (Yi Autonomous Prefecture), Honghe (Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture), Wenshan (Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture), Pu'er, Xishuangbanna (Dai Autonomous Prefecture), Dali (Bai Autonomous Prefecture), Lijiang — The NIA table says '9 市州': 4 prefecture-level cities plus 5 autonomous prefectures. Places such as Shangri-La (Diqing) are outside the area. | Kunming Changshui International Airport; Lijiang Sanyi International Airport; Mohan Railway Port |

Provincial-level regions with no 240-hour area at all: Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Tibet, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang (plus Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, which have their own entry rules). [1] [40]

## The 65 ports {#tl-ports-h}

Arrive at one of these as an international arrival, and leave through any of them (it need not be the same one). In Guangdong you may also leave through any port open to foreigners. [13] [37] [1] [39] [40] [36]

| # | Port | Chinese name | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) | 北京首都国际机场口岸 | Airport | Beijing |
| 2 | Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) | 北京大兴国际机场口岸 | Airport | Beijing |
| 3 | Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) | 天津滨海国际机场口岸 | Airport | Tianjin |
| 4 | Tianjin Port (Passenger) | 天津海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Tianjin |
| 5 | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW) | 石家庄正定国际机场口岸 | Airport | Hebei |
| 6 | Qinhuangdao Port (Passenger) | 秦皇岛海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Hebei |
| 7 | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE) | 沈阳桃仙国际机场口岸 | Airport | Liaoning |
| 8 | Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC) | 大连周水子国际机场口岸 | Airport | Liaoning |
| 9 | Dalian Port (Passenger) | 大连海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Liaoning |
| 10 | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) | 上海虹桥国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shanghai |
| 11 | Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) | 上海浦东国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shanghai |
| 12 | Shanghai Port (Passenger) | 上海海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Shanghai |
| 13 | Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) | 南京禄口国际机场口岸 | Airport | Jiangsu |
| 14 | Su'nan Shuofang International Airport (WUX) | 苏南硕放国际机场口岸 | Airport | Jiangsu |
| 15 | Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport (YTY) | 扬州泰州国际机场口岸 | Airport | Jiangsu |
| 16 | Lianyungang Port (Passenger) | 连云港海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Jiangsu |
| 17 | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) | 杭州萧山国际机场口岸 | Airport | Zhejiang |
| 18 | Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB) | 宁波栎社国际机场口岸 | Airport | Zhejiang |
| 19 | Wenzhou Longwan International Airport (WNZ) | 温州龙湾国际机场口岸 | Airport | Zhejiang |
| 20 | Yiwu Airport (YIW) | 义乌机场口岸 | Airport | Zhejiang |
| 21 | Wenzhou Port (Passenger) | 温州港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Zhejiang |
| 22 | Zhoushan Port (Passenger) | 舟山港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Zhejiang |
| 23 | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HFE) | 合肥新桥国际机场口岸 | Airport | Anhui |
| 24 | Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (TXN) | 黄山屯溪国际机场口岸 | Airport | Anhui |
| 25 | Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC) | 福州长乐国际机场口岸 | Airport | Fujian |
| 26 | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) | 厦门高崎国际机场口岸 | Airport | Fujian |
| 27 | Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport (JJN) | 泉州晋江国际机场口岸 | Airport | Fujian |
| 28 | Wuyishan Airport (WUS) | 武夷山机场口岸 | Airport | Fujian |
| 29 | Xiamen Port (Passenger) | 厦门海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Fujian |
| 30 | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport (TNA) | 济南遥墙国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shandong |
| 31 | Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO) | 青岛胶东国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shandong |
| 32 | Yantai Penglai International Airport (YNT) | 烟台蓬莱国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shandong |
| 33 | Weihai Dashuibo International Airport (WEH) | 威海大水泊国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shandong |
| 34 | Qingdao Port (Passenger) | 青岛海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Shandong |
| 35 | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) | 郑州新郑国际机场口岸 | Airport | Henan |
| 36 | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH) | 武汉天河国际机场口岸 | Airport | Hubei |
| 37 | Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX) | 长沙黄花国际机场口岸 | Airport | Hunan |
| 38 | Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) | 张家界荷花国际机场口岸 | Airport | Hunan |
| 39 | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) | 广州白云国际机场口岸 | Airport | Guangdong |
| 40 | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) | 深圳宝安国际机场口岸 | Airport | Guangdong |
| 41 | Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (SWA) | 揭阳潮汕国际机场口岸 | Airport | Guangdong |
| 42 | Nansha Port (Passenger) | 南沙港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Guangdong |
| 43 | Shekou Port (Passenger) | 蛇口港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Guangdong |
| 44 | Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal | 广州港口岸琶洲港澳客运码头 | Sea port | Guangdong |
| 45 | Zhongshan Port (Passenger) | 中山港口岸中山港区客运码头 | Sea port | Guangdong |
| 46 | Hengqin Port | 横琴口岸 | Land crossing | Guangdong |
| 47 | Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port | 港珠澳大桥珠海公路口岸 | Land crossing | Guangdong |
| 48 | West Kowloon Station Port of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link | 广深港高铁西九龙站口岸 | Railway | Guangdong |
| 49 | Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) | 海口美兰国际机场口岸 | Airport | Hainan |
| 50 | Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) | 三亚凤凰国际机场口岸 | Airport | Hainan |
| 51 | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) | 重庆江北国际机场口岸 | Airport | Chongqing |
| 52 | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (KWE) | 贵阳龙洞堡国际机场口岸 | Airport | Guizhou |
| 53 | Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) | 西安咸阳国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shaanxi |
| 54 | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (TYN) | 太原武宿国际机场口岸 | Airport | Shanxi |
| 55 | Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) | 哈尔滨太平国际机场口岸 | Airport | Heilongjiang |
| 56 | Nanchang Changbei International Airport (KHN) | 南昌昌北国际机场口岸 | Airport | Jiangxi |
| 57 | Nanning Wuxu International Airport (NNG) | 南宁吴圩国际机场口岸 | Airport | Guangxi |
| 58 | Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) | 桂林两江国际机场口岸 | Airport | Guangxi |
| 59 | Beihai Fucheng Airport (BHY) | 北海福成机场口岸 | Airport | Guangxi |
| 60 | Beihai Port (Passenger) | 北海海港口岸（客运） | Sea port | Guangxi |
| 61 | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) | 成都双流国际机场口岸 | Airport | Sichuan |
| 62 | Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) | 成都天府国际机场口岸 | Airport | Sichuan |
| 63 | Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) | 昆明长水国际机场口岸 | Airport | Yunnan |
| 64 | Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG) | 丽江三义国际机场口岸 | Airport | Yunnan |
| 65 | Mohan Railway Port | 磨憨铁路口岸 | Railway | Yunnan |

## When we can’t tell: ask first

The checker answers “ask” rather than guessing when:

- Your flight in stops on the way and you are not sure whether you change planes there (the stop counts as your origin only if you change planes).
- You have (or had) Chinese nationality.
- You have a Chinese visa-refusal stamp or a past immigration problem in China.
- Your 30-day visa-free stay would cross the list’s end date, or your mutual agreement is one we could not confirm.
- Your next stop is Taiwan (named as a third region only in an airline’s restatement of border guidance).
- You plan to show other proof instead of an onward ticket (a private-jet operator’s letter, a bus ticket to Hong Kong).
- A place you plan to visit straddles a boundary (Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lugu Lake, Hukou Waterfall) or shares its name with another (Fuzhou, Lushan).

Ask your airline before you fly, or call China’s immigration hotline, +86 12367 (English available).

Not an ordinary passport (a travel document, or a temporary, emergency, refugee or stateless document)? The checker says no: the immigration administration’s current texts (August 2026) say “ordinary passport” for the transit and the 30-day list. If your case is special, ask 12367 first.

## Worked examples

| Trip | Official answer | Our checker says |
|---|---|---|
| GB passport · London (GB) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Hong Kong (HK) | eligible for 240-hour transit | Not needed (30-day or mutual visa-free) [26] [10] |
| GB passport · Tokyo (JP), after connecting from London → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → London (GB) | eligible | Not needed (30-day or mutual visa-free) [28] [10] |
| AU passport · Sydney (AU) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Melbourne (AU) | not eligible for 240-hour (A→China→A); book onward to a third country instead | Not needed (30-day or mutual visa-free) [30] [10] |
| AU passport · Sydney (AU) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → London (GB) · stay: 18-hour layover, wants a hotel | enter under the 30-day visa-free policy; no 24-hour transit permit needed | Not needed (30-day or mutual visa-free) [19] |
| MX passport · Seoul (KR) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Japan (JP) · tickets: separate tickets, different airlines | eligible | Can use the transit [18] |
| UA passport · Hong Kong (HK), connecting flight from Tokyo → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Tokyo (JP) | eligible if Hong Kong→Shanghai is a separate connecting flight | Can use the transit [22] |
| UA passport · Tokyo (JP), same flight with a stopover in Hong Kong → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Tokyo (JP) | not eligible | Can’t use the transit [22] |
| ID passport · China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) · other facts: refused an Australian visa; never refused a Chinese visa | refusal by a third country does not affect eligibility | Can use the transit [21] |
| ID passport · China (Shanghai Port (Passenger)) · entry terminal: Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal | Wusongkou is an eligible port (part of Shanghai Port (Passenger)) | Can use the transit [20] |
| US passport · China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) · hotel booking: false · onward ticket: confirmed, third country | no hotel booking listed as required | Can use the transit [23] |
| US passport · Los Angeles (US) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Seoul (KR) · age: 7 | eligible if requirements met; no age limit | Can use the transit [29] [15] |
| KH passport · Japan (JP) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Cambodia (KH) · document: single-use temporary travel document valid ~2 months · stay: airside only | 24-hour direct transit may apply, but no temporary entry permit (document <3 months) | Can’t use the transit [17] [2] |
| EG passport · Melbourne (AU) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Cairo (EG) · document: infant on emergency travel document · stay: 6 hours airside | does not meet conditions for a temporary entry permit; ask airline about direct transit | Can’t use the transit [24] [2] |
| Any of the 57 passport · China (Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport) · entry date time: 2025-01-01 (any time) | clock starts 2025-01-02 00:00; leave by 2025-01-11 24:00 | Can use the transit [40] [5] |
| Any of the 57 passport · Tokyo (JP) → China (Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport) → Japan (JP) | not eligible: the onward destination must be a country other than Japan | Can’t use the transit [40] |
| Any of the 57 passport · China (Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport) → Hong Kong (HK) · exit port: a Guangdong road crossing to Hong Kong (e.g., Huanggang) · proof: bus ticket within 240 hours | eligible (exit via any open Guangdong port) | Can use the transit [40] [1] [39] |
| Any of the 57 passport · China (Su'nan Shuofang International Airport) → a third country · cities planned: Wuxi, Kunming · exit port: KMG | eligible: cross-province travel and exit at another listed port are allowed | Can use the transit [42] [36] [6] |
| US passport · Los Angeles (US) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Bangkok (TH) · cities planned: Shanghai, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou (Aba, Sichuan) · exit port: TFU | derived from the rules | Can’t use the transit [1] |
| US passport · New York (US) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → New York (US) | not eligible (origin and destination must differ) | Can’t use the transit [13] [14] |
| US passport · Los Angeles (US) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Seoul (KR) · stay hours: 10 days + 1 | derived from the rules | Can’t use the transit [5] |
| US passport · Seoul (KR) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Korea (KR) · exit port: Yantai Port (sea, not on the list) | derived from the rules | Can’t use the transit [13] [37] |
| VN passport · Hanoi (VN) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Tokyo (JP) · entry date: 2026-08-25 | Vietnam eligible from 2026-08-20 | Can use the transit [4] |
| TH passport · Bangkok (TH) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Tokyo (JP) | derived from the rules | Not needed (30-day or mutual visa-free) [2] [12] |
| IN passport · Delhi (IN) → China (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) → Tokyo (JP) | derived from the rules | Can’t use the transit [2] [10] |

## Other ways in

- [30 days visa-free](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#visa-free-30): 50 countries, 48 countries to 2026-12-31; Russia to 2027-12-31; Brunei no end date. No extension for the 48 had been announced as of 2026-10-24 (last year's was announced on 2025-11-03).
- [Mutual visa exemption](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#mutual-agreements): 29 countries. Single stay up to 30 days, total up to 90 days in any 180 (general rule per embassy summary; some agreements differ).
- [Tourist visa (L)](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#apply-visa): everyone else, or for a longer stay or a return trip home.

## Sources

1. [国家移民管理局 National Immigration Administration: 过境免签政策（政策解读，含57国名单与65口岸/停留区域表图片）](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731205/content.html), published 2026-08-20, read 2026-10-13
2. [National Immigration Administration: Visa-Free Transit Policies](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183412/content.html), published 2026-08-20, read 2026-10-13
3. [National Immigration Administration: 国家移民管理局关于增加吉尔吉斯斯坦、越南为240小时过境免签和海南30天入境免签政策适用国家的公告](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741542/c1796294/content.html), published 2026-08-20, read 2026-10-13
4. [National Immigration Administration: Announcement on Adding Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to the List of Countries Eligible for the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy and the 30-Day Visa-Free Entry Policy for Hainan](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147468/c217849/content.html), published 2026-08-20, read 2026-10-13
5. [National Immigration Administration: Announcement on Implementing 10 New Measures (NO.4 [2025]), incl. attachment 'Conditions for Foreign Nationals Applying for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy'](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147413/c187308/content.html), published 2025-11-03, read 2026-10-13
6. [National Immigration Administration: Announcement of NIA on Further Relaxing and Optimizing Visa-Free Transit Policy for Foreign Nationals (No. 12 [2024])](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147468/c178053/content.html), published 2024-12-17, read 2026-10-13
7. [National Immigration Administration: 国家移民管理局关于新增印度尼西亚为中国240小时过境免签政策适用国家的公告](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n897453/c1722957/content.html), published 2025-06-12, read 2026-10-13
8. [National Immigration Administration: NIA English 'Notice' list (where new announcements appear)](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147468/index.html), read 2026-10-13
9. [National Immigration Administration: 国家移民管理局 通知公告 列表](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741542/index.html), read 2026-10-13
10. [National Immigration Administration: List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183390/content.html), published 2026-02-17, read 2026-10-13
11. [Embassy of the PRC in Sweden: 单方面免签政策常见问题解答（2026年5月25日更新）](https://se.china-embassy.gov.cn/lstz/202511/t20251110_11750027.htm), published 2026-05-25, read 2026-10-13
12. [Embassy of the PRC in Norway: 赴华免签政策汇总（2026年5月更新）](https://no.china-embassy.gov.cn/lsfw_0/qzyw/qzxz/202507/t20250708_11667398.htm), read 2026-10-13
13. [Embassy of the PRC in Canada: 240小时过境免签](https://ca.china-embassy.gov.cn/lsyw/lszj/mqzc00/gjmq00/202501/t20250110_11530399.htm), read 2026-10-13
14. [Consulate General of the PRC in Montreal: 外国人240小时过境免签常遇问题解答](https://montreal.china-consulate.gov.cn/zjfw/lszj/fhqz/cjwd2/202505/t20250530_11637915.htm), published 2025-05-30, read 2026-10-13
15. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (International Services Shanghai): China adds Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam to 240-hour visa-free transit program (Q1-Q6)](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20260820/bcaad9737db44e6ab788dfd785832b6b.html), published 2026-08-20, read 2026-10-13
16. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government: 240-hour visa-free transit policy](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Individuals-ImmigrationandVisas-Visa-freepolicies/20260709/d70a1231ba4641ff9a024e53751ad480.html), published 2026-07-09, read 2026-10-13
17. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection): Can a temporary travel document holder transit through Shanghai visa-free?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visafreetransit/20260923/f794a2b48c214cf995f1796c7ec73129.html), published 2026-09-23, read 2026-10-13
18. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection): Can I use separate tickets for the 240-hour visa-free transit, or do I need a through ticket?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visafreetransit/20260910/77f4be2bfddd467dbd2587b8c9f37b98.html), published 2026-09-10, read 2026-10-13
19. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection, Shanghai Airport Group): Can I stay at an airport hotel during an 18-hour layover in Shanghai without clearing customs?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visafreetransit/20260903/6fe4653a8b7447ba86fcf0c883db0143.html), published 2026-09-03, read 2026-10-13
20. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection): Is Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal an eligible port under the 240-hr visa-free transit policy?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visafreetransit/20260901/a97f109f76cd45758a51df5c5f0512ec.html), published 2026-09-01, read 2026-10-13
21. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection): Does a visa refusal from a third country affect my eligibility for China's 240-hour visa-free transit?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visafreetransit/20260818/9c8d0c3595a1470984a1a871da408d21.html), published 2026-08-18, read 2026-10-13
22. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection): Is a Hong Kong-Shanghai-Tokyo itinerary eligible for visa-free transit?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visa2/20260527/b6ab555c19904837acac512ed8219d2b.html), published 2026-05-27, read 2026-10-13
23. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection): Do I need a hotel reservation to transit Shanghai visa-free?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visa2/20260427/6af0d00459184e08a99640be1b515396.html), published 2026-04-27, read 2026-10-13
24. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection): Is it possible to transit in Shanghai using a temporary travel document?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visa2/20251029/7de1d675b93d4e2f901bf81ffc3b48ea.html), published 2025-10-29, read 2026-10-13
25. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau): Can I have an inter-airport transfer during my layover in Shanghai?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visa2/20251022/2d236278d33f4fbfbd178a9343fb1902.html), published 2025-10-22, read 2026-10-13
26. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security): Does my London-Shanghai-Hong Kong journey qualify for the 240-hr visa-free transit?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visa2/20251020/b6d40e72778f4ea1a83a20f4664341d4.html), published 2025-10-20, read 2026-10-13
27. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security): What should I do if my visa-free stay period is about to expire and I want to extend my stay?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Visa2/20250814/09ba529e6e154821b1d999ca53cea5e4.html), published 2025-08-14, read 2026-10-13
28. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government: I am a British citizen planning an itinerary of London-Tokyo-Shanghai-London. Does my stay in SH qualify for the visa-free transit policy?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQ/20250924/953689bd78d3439fa79876786cb0b80c.html), published 2025-09-24, read 2026-10-13
29. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government: Is my 7-year-old daughter eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQ/20250924/5247d3bf2c00481dadabb1fd6a50d93e.html), published 2025-09-24, read 2026-10-13
30. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai Exit-Entry Border Inspection General Station): If I am a citizen of Australia and plan to book a Sydney-Shanghai-Melbourne ticket, will I be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQ/20240513/b05773e862024756bbeb6b4bb7aa29de.html), published 2024-05-13, read 2026-10-13
31. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai Exit-Entry Border Inspection General Station): How is the duration of the 240-hour visa-free transit calculated?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQ/20240513/b72110cf85b1442ea49a45360f3c1fb3.html), published 2024-05-13, read 2026-10-13
32. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai Exit-Entry Border Inspection General Station): What should I do if I need to leave the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQ/20240513/ad77c0cd0456470da5b9ae937644bf26.html), published 2024-05-13, read 2026-10-13
33. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai Exit-Entry Border Inspection General Station): What if I have a valid Chinese visa in my passport and am eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQ/20240513/5dac0338b09e4e0e81ca772603579983.html), published 2024-05-13, read 2026-10-13
34. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (source: Shanghai Exit-Entry Border Inspection General Station): Will stay at a Shanghai hotel be a problem under the transit policy?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQ/20240513/974d385ae0e44fe2bd017c572d1774d6.html), published 2024-05-13, read 2026-10-13
35. [Shanghai Municipal People's Government (sources: NIA, Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau): Who is eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy in China?](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQs-TravelinShanghai/20250123/06f41af45c36475e903d864856e90702.html), published 2025-01-23, read 2026-10-13
36. [上海市人民政府口岸服务办公室: 我国240小时过境免签新政给全国最大的上海空运口岸带来哪些利好](https://kab.sww.sh.gov.cn/xwzx/001001/20241218/184e31e9-099f-42b3-a9c2-df2e9dd42d24.html), published 2024-12-18, read 2026-10-13
37. [Beijing Municipal People's Government (english.beijing.gov.cn): What are the application requirements for 240-hour visa-free transit? What documents do I need to prepare?](https://english.beijing.gov.cn/contactus/faqs/list/202502/t20250226_4019778.html), published 2025-02-26, read 2026-10-13
38. [深圳市人民政府口岸办公室: 240小时过境免签政策停留活动区域是哪些地方?](https://ka.sz.gov.cn/gkmlpt/content/12/12089/post_12089605.html), published 2025-03-26, read 2026-10-13
39. [深圳市人民政府口岸办公室 (信息来源：广东出入境): 适用240小时过境免签政策的口岸有哪些？](https://ka.sz.gov.cn/gzcy/ywzsk/tgzy/content/post_12152387.html), published 2025-04-29, read 2026-10-13
40. [China Southern Airlines (quoting Guangzhou Baiyun Airport border inspection station): 中国240小时过境免签政策（南航转述白云边检站说明）](https://www.csair.com/mcms/mcms/CN/zh/2024/20241230_2/), published 2024-12-30, read 2026-10-13 (airline)
41. [中国新闻网 (reporting NIA press conference): 过境免签外国人停留时间延长至240小时 新增21个过境口岸](https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2024/12-17/10337536.shtml), published 2024-12-17, read 2026-10-13 (media)
42. [无锡日报（quoting Wuxi police exit-entry detachment）: 停留时间延长至10天，允许跨区域通行——240小时过境免签，落地无锡！](https://www.wxrb.com/doc/2024/12/18/380302.shtml), published 2024-12-18, read 2026-10-13 (media)
43. [新华社: 中国240小时过境免签“朋友圈”扩展至57国](https://www.news.cn/20260820/5dc69b0a18a942f1aedc927f700b4deb/c.html), published 2026-08-20, read 2026-10-13 (media)
44. [上海市人民政府外事办公室: 240小时过境免签政策，适用国家+2！（附57国名单）](https://wsb.sh.gov.cn/ztzl/lstx/20260820/f4b8510709544ce8a06ef9978055bed9.html), published 2026-08-20, read 2026-10-13
45. [上海市发展和改革委员会（转载法律全文）: 中华人民共和国出境入境管理法（2012年6月30日通过，2013年7月1日施行）全文转载](https://fgw.sh.gov.cn/ys-gjmy-1.2.2.3.1/20240314/db27c218c97f4111ac2817e8297c344b.html), published 2013-07-01, read 2026-10-13
46. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs: 中外互免签证协定一览表](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html), published 2026-05-29, read 2026-10-24