China 240 Hour Transit Visa-Free Policy Guide
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on 17 Dec 2024 that it will fully relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy, which is effective immediately. The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Additionally, 21 new ports of entry and exit have been added for visa-free transit individuals, further expanding the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers.
Here is the rules for TWOV:
- Individuals from 54 eligible countries traveling from China to a third country (region), can enter visa-free through any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), and stay within the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers for no more than 240 hours.
- The applicant must hold a valid international travel document (with a validity of at least three months) and meet the requirements for entering a third country (region).
- The applicant must hold interline passenger tickets or other documents with a specified date and seat to a third country (region) within 240 hours, complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners, and cooperate with checks and inquiries by exit-entry border inspection authorities Foreigners who meet the above conditions may submit applications to the border inspection authorities at 60 ports of entry in various places, such as Beijing and Shanghai. The border inspection authorities will process their temporary entry procedures, and the stay period specified in the policy begins at 0:00 on the day after the day of entry. Subject to the relevant provisions if applicable to a mutual visa exemption agreements signed with China or China's unilateral visa exemption.
54 countries list:
Europe (40 countries):
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, and Norway.
America (6 countries):
the United States of America, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
Oceania (2 countries):
Australia and New Zealand.
Asia (6 countries):
Republic of Koreal, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
The fully relaxed and optimized 240-hour visa-free transit policy has further expanded the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers. The number of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) that can be visited under this policy has increased from the original 19 (Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, Heilongjiang Province, Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Shandong Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, and Shaanxi Province) to 24 (with Shanxi Province, Anhui Province, Jiangxi Province, Hainan Province, and Guizhou Province added to the list). In the newly added five provinces, the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers in Anhui Province, Hainan Province, and Guizhou Province include the entire province. In Shanxi Province, the areas are limited to Taiyuan and Datong, and in Jiangxi Province, the areas cover Nanchang and Jingdezhen. The areas in Fujian Province, Hubei Province, and Shaanxi Province are expanded to the entire respective provinces, and in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the area expands to the administrative regions of Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin.
FAQs:
1. Do Hong Kong and Macau count as third destinations?
Yes, both Hong Kong and Macau are considered third destinations.
2. Does TWOV permit inter-provincial travel?
Yes, you can travel to areas permitted by the policy and may use public transportation for cross-province travel.
If you want to apply for a visa, here is a list of visa types. (For reference only)
| Visa Category | Description | Number of Entries | Duration of Stay | Residence Procedures | Validity Period | Where Issued |
| L Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China as tourists. | Single, double, or multiple entries. | 30 to 60 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 10 years for U.S. citizens. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| C Visa | Issued to foreign crew members of international transportation, including aircraft, trains, ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, and their accompanying family members. | Single, double, or multiple entries. | Up to 180 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Typically up to 5 years. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| D Visa | Issued to individuals who intend to reside in China permanently. | Single entry. | Must apply for a Permanent Residence Permit within 30 days of entry. | Apply for a Permanent Residence Permit at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 30 days of entry. | Valid for entry within 3 months from the date of issue. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| F Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours, and other non-commercial activities. | Single, double, or multiple entries. | 30 to 90 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 1 year. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| G Visa | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | Single or double entry. | 7 to 10 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 3 months. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| J1 Visa | Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China for over 180 days. | Single entry. | 30 days; must apply for a Residence Permit. | Apply for a Residence Permit at the local PSB within 30 days of entry. | Up to 1 year. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| J2 Visa | Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage for no more than 180 days. | Single or double entry. | Up to 90 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 1 year. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| L Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China as tourists. | Single, double, or multiple entries. | 30 to 60 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 10 years for U.S. citizens. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| M Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. | Single, double, or multiple entries. | 30 to 60 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 10 years for U.S. citizens. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| Q1 Visa | Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion for over 180 days. | Single entry. | 30 days; must apply for a Residence Permit. | Apply for a Residence Permit at the local PSB within 30 days of entry. | Up to 3 months. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| Q2 Visa | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China for no more than 180 days. | Multiple entries. | Up to 120 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 5 years. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| R Visa | Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. | Multiple entries. | 90 to 180 days per entry. | Not required for stays within the authorized duration. | Up to 5 years. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| S1 Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit foreign family members working or studying in China, or for other private affairs, for over 180 days. | Single entry. | 30 days; must apply for a Residence Permit. | Apply for a Residence Permit at the local PSB within 30 days of entry. | Up to 3 months. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
| S2 Visa | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or for other private matters, for no more than 180 days. | Up to 1 year. | Chinese embassies, consulates, or authorized visa application centers. |
China's visa waiver policy may be adjusted according to changes in the international situation and diplomatic relations and it is recommended to double check the latest policy developments before planning your trip to ensure a smooth trip.
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