China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy Expands Opportunities for International Travellers

China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy is enhancing accessibility for international travellers and creating new opportunities for stopover programmes, multi-city itineraries and regional travel combinations. The policy allows eligible citizens to transit through China without obtaining a visa in advance, supporting tourism, business travel, family visits and cultural exchanges. 

Citizens of 55 eligible countries may enter China through designated ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, including key gateways such as Guangdong and Shanghai, and stay in approved areas for up to 240 hours while travelling onward to a third country or region. 

For travel agents, the policy provides greater flexibility when designing itineraries, making it easier to incorporate China into broader Asia-Pacific travel programmes without the need for a pre-arranged visa.

What to Prepare with the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

· Hold a valid international travel document with at least three months' validity. 

· Meet the entry requirements of the third country or region. 

· Must hold interline tickets to a third country or region, such as ferry, flight, or train tickets with confirmed arrangement and departure dates within 240 hours or other proof documents eg: accommodation booking

· Complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners upon arrival.

Permitted activities during the visa-free transit period include tourism, business activities, exchange visits and family visits. Employment, study and news reporting remain subject to prior approval and the appropriate visa requirements. 

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy enables eligible travellers to spend up to 10 days in China while en route to another destination, providing travel professionals with additional opportunities to develop stopover products, increase itinerary flexibility and create added value for clients.

For more information, please refer to the website: 

https://english.www.gov.cn/policies/featured/202511/06/content_WS676548cbc6d0868f4e8ee28f.html