China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Checker

Important: This checker is an unofficial guide based on published rules, last checked on 6 October 2026. It cannot guarantee entry. Immigration officers make the final decision, and airlines may refuse boarding. Check official sources before travel: the National Immigration Administration (hotline +86-12367), your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate, and your airline.

How to use it

1. Nationality. Choose the country that issued your passport. The policy covers ordinary passports of 57 countries.
2. Port of entry. Choose the airport, seaport or rail port where you will enter mainland China.
3. Arriving from. The country or region your flight, ship or train departs from.
4. Flying on to. The country or region of your confirmed onward ticket out of China.
5. Planned days in China. Your arrival date and departure date.
6. Passport validity. Confirm your passport is valid for at least 3 more months.

You'll see one of three results:

• Likely eligible: your answers meet the published conditions. We list the areas you can visit and the latest time you must leave.
• Not eligible: one or more conditions isn't met, for example your nationality isn't on the list, or you're returning to the country you came from. We explain why and suggest alternatives, such as a visa or 30-day visa-free entry if your nationality qualifies.
• Check with officials: your case depends on details the checker can't confirm, for example an itinerary involving Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan, or a stay right at the 240-hour limit.

The rules the checker applies

All rules below come from official sources, linked.

1. Eligible nationality. Ordinary passport holders of 57 countries, listed by the NIA (policy interpretation, 20 Aug 2026).
2. Eligible port. Entry through one of 65 designated ports in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities (NIA).
3. Genuine transit to a third country or region. Your onward destination must differ from where you came from. A round trip such as Los Angeles → Shanghai → Los Angeles doesn't qualify (NIA; Chinese Consulate General in Montreal FAQ).
4. Confirmed onward ticket with a fixed date and seat, leaving within 240 hours (NIA Announcement, Nov 2025).
5. Up to 240 hours, counted from 00:00 the day after arrival (NIA Announcement, Nov 2025). For example, arrive on 1 January and the clock starts at 00:00 on 2 January, so 240 hours ends at 24:00 on 11 January.
6. Stay within the permitted areas. Each province's permitted area is listed by NIA. Some are whole provinces, others specific cities. You may travel between provinces within these permitted areas (NIA).
7. Passport valid for at least 3 months and meeting the onward country's entry requirements (NIA Announcement, Nov 2025).
8. Allowed activities: tourism, business, visits and family. Work, study and journalism need the appropriate visa (NIA).

What the checker can't know

• Whether you have a past visa refusal, immigration violation or other issue that could lead to refusal. The consulate FAQ lists, for example, a Chinese visa refusal record or illegal entry, stay or work in China within the past five years.
• Whether your airline will accept your itinerary at check-in.
• Rule changes made after our last check date.

FAQ

My country isn't on the list. What are my options? Check whether you qualify for China's unilateral or mutual visa-free entry (up to 30 days for many countries), or apply for a visa. See visa-free entry vs 240-hour transit.

Does a flight to Hong Kong count as going to a "third region"? The official texts we checked (NIA, gov.cn and MFA) only say "third country or region" (第三国或地区). None of them says outright whether Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan count as the onward region (NIA). Some operators, such as MTR, the operator of the Hong Kong high-speed rail link, say they do (MTR), but that isn't an official statement. So for any itinerary that starts or ends in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan, the checker answers check with officials. Confirm with the NIA hotline (+86-12367) or your airline before booking.

Can I visit more than one city? Yes, within the permitted areas. For example, entering at Beijing allows travel within Beijing Municipality, and you may move between provinces as long as you stay within the permitted areas listed by NIA (NIA).

What if my flight is cancelled and I can't leave in time? The consulate FAQ says that in an emergency you should apply to the local public security exit-entry authority for a stay permit. Overstaying is penalised (consulate FAQ).

Do I need to register where I stay? Yes. Hotels register foreign guests automatically. If you stay anywhere other than a hotel (with friends, family or in a private rental), you or your host must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival. Since 21 September 2026 this can be done online anywhere in China, through the NIA website, the "NIA 12367" app, the "NIA 12367" WeChat mini program or the Alipay mini program. Online registration has the same legal effect as registering in person, and the police-station option remains (NIA Announcement No. 7 of 2026; NIA policy interpretation).

Is my information stored? No. The checker runs in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to our server.

Disclaimer

China Transit Guide is not a government website and is not affiliated with China's National Immigration Administration or any airline. The checker gives an estimate based on publicly available rules as of the date shown. It isn't legal or immigration advice and doesn't guarantee entry. Immigration rules can change at short notice. Check official sources before travel, including en.nia.gov.cn, the NIA hotline +86-12367, a Chinese embassy or consulate, and your airline.