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A Complete Guide to China Visa-free Transit Policy (2025)
Detailed guide to China's visa-free transit policies: 24-hour visa exemption for global travelers at all open ports (stay ≤24h, no port restricted area exit) & 240-hour exemption for 55 countries (Europe 40, Americas 6, Oceania 2, Asia 7) via 60 ports in 24 provinces (stay ≤10 days for tourism/business). Released by National Immigration Administration.
I. China Visa-free Basic Information
- Release Source: Website of the National Immigration Administration
- Release Date: June 27, 2025
II. 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
1. Scope of Application
All ports open to foreign countries in China, applicable to personnel from all countries worldwide.
2. Core Requirements
- Hold a valid personal international travel document;
- Hold a connecting ticket with confirmed seats (for international flights, ships, or trains);
- Purpose of transit: Transit through China to a third country or region;
- Stay restriction: Stay in China for no more than 24 hours and do not leave the port-restricted area.
3. Special Provisions
If it is necessary to leave the port-restricted area, an application for a temporary entry permit must be submitted to the port entry-exit border inspection authority.
III. 240-Hour China Visa-Free Transit Policy
1. Applicable Countries (55 Countries in Total, Covering 4 Continents)
| Continent | Number of Countries | Main/All Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 40 | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, etc. |
| Americas | 6 | United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile |
| Oceania | 2 | Australia, New Zealand |
| Asia | 7 | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia |
2. Core Requirements
- Hold a valid personal international travel document;
- Hold a connecting ticket with fixed dates and confirmed seats (for transit to a third country or region);
- Entry ports: Visa-free entry is allowed through any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government).
3. Rules for Stay and Activities
- Duration of Stay: No more than 10 days, with activities permitted within the specified areas;
- Permitted Activities: Tourism, business, visits, family visits;
- Prohibited/Restricted Activities: Activities requiring prior approval (such as work, study, and news interviews) still require a proper visa.
4. Applicable Ports and Stay Areas (Key Features)
- Covers 60 ports across 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government), including airport ports (e.g., Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport), passenger seaport ports (e.g., Tianjin Port, Dalian Port, Shanghai Port), and railway ports (e.g., Mohan Railway Port);
- Differences in stay areas:
- Visa-free travelers entering via ports in Beijing and Guangdong are allowed inter-provincial stay within the permitted stay areas of 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government);
- Restricted areas in some provinces/cities: For example, Shanxi Province limits stay to Taiyuan City and Datong City; Sichuan Province limits stay to 11 cities including Chengdu and Zigong; Guangxi limits stay to 12 cities including Nanning and Liuzhou; Yunnan limits stay to 9 prefecture-level cities and autonomous prefectures including Kunming and Yuxi.
