China Transit Guide

China Visa-Free Entry vs 240-Hour Transit: Which Applies to You?

Published 2026-10-06 · Updated 2026-10-06

China Visa-Free Entry vs 240-Hour Transit: Which Applies to You?

China now has two main ways for many foreign visitors to come without a visa: 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of certain countries, and 240-hour visa-free transit for travellers passing through to a third country. They're often confused, but they work quite differently. This guide explains both and helps you work out which one fits your trip.

Visa-free travel is now common. According to the Chinese government portal, visa-free entries made up 77.7% of foreign arrivals in the first half of 2026 (Gov.cn, Jul 2026).

Check official sources before travel. Both policies have changed repeatedly and have expiry dates. Confirm with the National Immigration Administration (hotline +86-12367), a Chinese embassy or consulate, and your airline. Checked on 6 October 2026.

The quick comparison

30-day visa-free entry 240-hour visa-free transit
Who Ordinary passport holders of listed countries Ordinary passport holders of 57 listed countries
Max stay 30 days, counted from the day after arrival 240 hours (10 days), from 00:00 the day after arrival
Itinerary Any (round trips allowed) Must travel to a third country or region
Where you can enter Generally any port open to foreigners One of 65 designated ports
Where you can go Mainland China generally Only the permitted areas of 24 provinces
Purposes Business, tourism, family/friend visits, exchanges, transit Tourism, business, visits, family
Onward ticket Return/onward travel advisable Confirmed onward ticket required

Sources: MFA visa-free FAQ; Chinese Embassy in the UK; MFA; NIA; NIA announcement. The MFA FAQ says 30-day visa-free entry applies at all sea, land and air ports open to foreigners, unless laws, regulations or bilateral arrangements say otherwise. It recommends carrying proof that fits your purpose, such as tickets and hotel bookings. "Mainland China generally" for where you can go is our summary: the notices we checked set no area limits, but confirm for your trip.

30-day visa-free entry

Who qualifies

China has extended unilateral visa-free entry to ordinary passport holders of 50 countries. The Chinese government portal reported the same total in July 2026 (Gov.cn), and the Foreign Ministry's visa-free FAQ (July 2026) names all 50 (MFA FAQ).

A December 2025 notice from the Chinese Embassy in the UK extended the policy until 31 December 2026 for these countries (Embassy notice):

France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Sweden was added from 10 November 2025, also until 31 December 2026.

Since then:

  • United Kingdom and Canada: added from 17 February 2026 until 31 December 2026 (MFA).
  • Russia: visa-free entry extended to 31 December 2027 (Gov.cn, May 2026).
  • Brunei: also visa-free, with no end date set (MFA FAQ).

That's all 50 countries. The MFA FAQ confirms the dates: 31 December 2026 for 48 countries, 31 December 2027 for Russia and no end date for Brunei. The stay is counted from the day after you arrive, for up to 30 calendar days (MFA FAQ). If your trip runs past 31 December 2026, check with a Chinese embassy for any extension. One consulate notice from August 2026 lists all 50 countries as running to that date.

Mutual visa exemption

Some countries have a mutual visa exemption agreement with China instead. For example, the China–Malaysia agreement took effect on 17 July 2025, allowing stays of up to 30 days per entry, and no more than 90 days in any 180 (Gov.cn, Jul 2025).

Purposes and limits

Visa-free visitors can come for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchanges and transit, for up to 30 days (MFA; Embassy notice). Work, study and journalism need the appropriate visa.

240-hour visa-free transit

Who qualifies

Ordinary passport holders of 57 countries, including some, like the United States, that aren't covered by 30-day visa-free entry, can use it if they're travelling on to a third country or region (NIA).

Conditions

  • Onward ticket with a confirmed date and seat, leaving within 240 hours (NIA announcement)
  • Passport valid for at least three months (NIA announcement)
  • Entry through one of 65 designated ports, staying within the permitted areas (NIA)
  • Time counted from 00:00 the day after arrival (NIA announcement)

Full details are in our 240-hour transit explainer.

Which one should you use?

If your country is on both lists

Many European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the UK and Canada appear on both. In most cases 30-day visa-free entry is simpler: no third-country rule, no designated ports, no permitted-area limits and a longer stay. The NIA's own conditions for 240-hour transit note that where a mutual or unilateral visa exemption applies, that arrangement prevails (NIA announcement).

If your country is only on the 240-hour list

If you're a citizen of the United States or another country on the transit list but not covered by 30-day visa-free entry, the 240-hour transit is your visa-free option. Countries not on the MFA's unilateral list include the United States, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan (MFA FAQ). Some countries have a separate mutual visa exemption agreement, so check yours. Plan an itinerary that continues to a third country or region, for example US → Shanghai → Japan, and stay within the permitted areas.

If your country is on neither list

You'll need a visa, unless another arrangement applies to you. Contact the Chinese embassy or consulate where you live.

If you're going back to where you came from

A round trip (for example US → Beijing → US) doesn't qualify for 240-hour transit. You'd need 30-day visa-free entry (if eligible) or a visa.

Worked examples

  • A German citizen flying Frankfurt → Beijing → Frankfurt for two weeks: the 30-day visa-free entry fits (until 31 Dec 2026). Transit wouldn't apply, as it's a round trip.
  • A US citizen flying Los Angeles → Shanghai → Tokyo, five days in Shanghai and Hangzhou: 240-hour transit could apply. Shanghai and Zhejiang are both permitted areas. Use our checker.
  • A US citizen flying Los Angeles → Shanghai → Los Angeles: neither visa-free route applies, so they need a visa.
  • A Malaysian citizen visiting for three weeks: the mutual visa exemption applies (up to 30 days per entry).

These are illustrations, not guarantees. Check official sources before travel.

Check your trip

Our 240-hour transit checker tells you whether your itinerary is likely to qualify for transit and flags when 30-day visa-free entry might be simpler.

Sources

Sources