240-Hour Transit Visa China: The Complete Guide (2026)
The 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit scheme: which 55 countries qualify, which ports you can use, and the rules that catch people out.
You can spend up to 10 days in mainland China without a visa using the 240-hour transit scheme — even if your country isn’t on the 30-day visa-free list.
This scheme quietly became one of the most useful travel tools for visiting China on a stopover. Here’s how it works, who qualifies, and the traps that get people refused at the border.
What the 240-hour transit scheme is
China’s transit visa-free policy was upgraded from 72/144 hours to 240 hours (10 days) in December 2024, then expanded again. Today it allows eligible travelers to:
- Stay in mainland China for up to 10 days
- Travel across multiple provinces (you’re not confined to one city or region)
- Enter and exit through different ports (open-jaw routing)
All without a visa.
Who qualifies
- 55 countries are covered, including most European countries, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and many others.
- You need a valid passport and a booked onward ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours of entering.
- Your route must be a genuine transit — you must be going somewhere else.
Where you can enter and exit
- 65 ports across 24 provinces participate — international airports, and a growing number of land and sea ports (including Guangdong’s newer additions like the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge and the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong high-speed rail station).
- You can enter at one port and leave at another.
The rules that trip people up
- No same-country round trips. A route like Hong Kong → Shanghai → Hong Kong does not qualify, because you return to the same area you came from. Your onward destination must be a third country or region.
- Count carefully. Some ports count 240 hours from the moment of entry; others from the day after. Treat it as 10 days and keep a buffer — don’t cut it to the minute.
- Have your tickets ready. You’ll generally be asked to show your onward ticket at check-in and at the border. Booked and paid is safer than a hold.
- Don’t confuse it with the 30-day visa-free entry. If your country is on the 50-country unilateral list, use that instead — it’s more generous and doesn’t require an onward ticket.
Is the transit scheme right for you?
| Your situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| From one of the 50 visa-free countries, staying ≤30 days | 30-day visa-free entry (no onward ticket needed) |
| US passport, short China stop ≤10 days, onward to a third country | 240-hour transit |
| Staying longer than 10 days, or no onward third-country ticket | Apply for a visa |
US citizens take note: the US is not on the 30-day unilateral list, so for many American travelers the 240-hour transit scheme is the visa-free option that works — provided the trip fits its rules.
How to plan a transit trip
- Confirm your nationality is in the 55-country list.
- Book an onward ticket to a third country, departing within 240 hours.
- Plan an itinerary that enters one city and exits another to make the most of it (e.g., arrive Beijing → high-speed rail → leave Shanghai).
- Keep your hotel booking and onward ticket ready for border questions.
- Double-check the rules on this page just before you fly — port lists and rules change.
Where to verify
- National Immigration Administration (NIA) — en.nia.gov.cn
- Chinese embassy/consulate notices for your country
- Official 240-hour transit policy page
Last updated: August 2026. Transit rules and port lists change — always confirm with official sources before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa if I'm transiting through China?
If you're from one of the 55 eligible countries and hold an onward ticket to a third country within 240 hours, you can use the visa-free transit scheme — no visa needed. It covers stays up to 10 days and lets you travel across multiple provinces.
Can I use the transit scheme if my next stop is back in my home country?
No. The scheme requires travel onward to a *third* country or region. A route like Hong Kong → Shanghai → Hong Kong does not qualify, because you'd be returning to the same entry area.
How do I count the 240 hours?
From the time of entry (or from the day after arrival, depending on the port's practice — many count from the day after). The safest approach is to treat it as 10 calendar days and keep a buffer.
Can I leave via a different city than I entered?
Yes — that's one of the big advantages of the scheme. You can enter through one port and exit through another, as long as you're traveling onward to a third country. This enables open-jaw routes like entering Beijing and leaving Shanghai.
Does the transit scheme count as entry into mainland China for the 30-day visa-free rule?
No — they're separate schemes. The 240-hour transit is only for onward travel. If you're from one of the 50 visa-free countries, the 30-day visa-free entry is almost always the better option.