Please note that the information provided here is for reference purposes only. Ensure you verify any related information directly from the official resource to avoid any misinformation or understandings: https://www.mct.gov.cn/

Visa-free transit is one of China’s visa exemption policies that are provided to eligible foreigners coming from selected countries.

Under the visa-free transit policy, foreign travelers can enjoy a 10-day stay (240-hour stay) in certain Chinese cities without a visa, provided they come from 55 eligible countries, enter and exit China from eligible ports, stay within the allowed cities and regions, as well as satisfy other requirements. The extended stay duration from 72 hours/144 hours to 10 days is one of the most substantial upgrades in recent years.

To obtain this visa exemption, the foreign national must have a valid passport from one of the 55 countries, which are:

• 25 countries in the Europe Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
• 15 other countries in Europe: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus.
• 6 countries in the Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
• 2 countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
• 7 countries in Asia: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Indonesia.

As per the requirements of China’s National Immigration Authority (NIA), people applying for the 240-hour visa-free transit must have:

• A valid passport or another international travel document that is valid for more than three months from the arrival date;
• An interline ticket (connecting ticket) with the confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region within 240 hours; and
• The landing card for foreigners in transit that is filled out upon arrival in China.

You may also be required to answer some questions at immigration control upon arrival.

Despite the name, China’s visa-free transit policy does not mean you can travel to any city in the country. This policy applies to travellers arriving in China via 60 eligible ports across 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government).

Notably, under this policy, visa-free travelers can cross provincial boundaries within the eligible regions, offering greater flexibility for regional travel.

For more information about guide to working and living in China as Business Expatriates, please refer to the following QR Code: