Quick answer
China's 240-hour visa-free transit: how it works
Citizens of 55 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) through 65 ports when transiting to a third country — you need a confirmed onward ticket and to stay within the permitted areas.
Fact-checked 2026-09-16
- 1Check your passport is on the 55-country eligible list (official NIA list — link below).
- 2Book a ticket to a THIRD country or region: London → Shanghai → Bangkok qualifies (Shanghai → London does not — the onward destination must not be your departure country).
- 3Tell airline check-in staff you're using 240-hour visa-free transit — they verify your onward ticket before boarding.
- 4At the border, use the transit counter and fill in the shorter transit arrival form.
- 5Stay within the permitted provinces and register your address each night (hotels do this automatically).
What 240 hours allows — and doesn't
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 240 hours (10 days) | Extensions |
| Area | Most of central & eastern China (province list per port) | Tibet and some border regions without permits |
| Entry purpose | Transit tourism / business visits | Work or study |
The three classic mistakes
1) Onward ticket back to your departure country — that breaks transit rules. 2) Booking two separate tickets with a self-transfer that doesn't leave the arrival port. 3) Assuming your airline knows the rules — some gate staff don't; carry the official NIA policy link. Rules do change: re-verify with your airline before booking.