Could you visit China visa-free on your way somewhere else?

China's 240-hour visa-free transit lets citizens of 57 countries stop over in China for up to 10 days on the way to a third country or region, without a visa, if they meet the conditions. Answer a few questions to see whether your itinerary is likely to qualify.

Check my itinerary →

Rules change. Always check official sources, such as the National Immigration Administration, and your airline before you travel.

What you'll find here

A transit eligibility checker

Enter your nationality, entry port, where you're flying from and where you're going next. The checker tests your trip against the published conditions (eligible country, eligible port, third-country onward travel, number of days) and tells you which areas you could visit.

Official sources, linked

Every rule we describe links to the National Immigration Administration, the Chinese government's websites or Chinese embassies. We show when each page was last checked.

Practical first-trip guides

How to pay with a foreign card on Alipay or WeChat Pay, how to book high-speed trains with your passport, and what to expect at the border.

Plain English

Short answers first, then the detail.

How the checker works

1. Nationality: is your passport on the official list of 57 countries?
2. Port of entry: is it one of the 65 designated ports?
3. Itinerary: are you arriving from one country or region and leaving for a different one?
4. Days: does your stay fit within 240 hours, counted from 00:00 on the day after you arrive?

You get a result of likely eligible, not eligible or check with officials, with the reasons and the areas you could visit. If your nationality also qualifies for China's 30-day visa-free entry, we'll point that out too.

Open the 240-hour transit checker →

Start here

• China's 240-hour visa-free transit explained (2026)
• Visa-free entry vs 240-hour transit: which applies to you?
• China entry checklist for first-time visitors
• How foreigners pay in China: Alipay and WeChat Pay
• How to book Chinese high-speed train tickets as a foreigner

FAQ

Is this an official government website? No. It's an independent guide. Official information comes from China's National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn, hotline +86-12367) and Chinese embassies and consulates.

Can the checker guarantee I'll be allowed in? No. Border officers make the final decision, and airlines may refuse boarding if they think you don't qualify. Use the result as a starting point and confirm with official sources.

How up to date is the information? Every page shows the date it was last checked. The 240-hour policy has changed several times since it began in December 2024, so check the official sources before you travel.

Do I need to do anything before I fly? Foreign visitors fill in an arrival card, either online before travel or on paper at arrival. See our entry checklist.