China Expands 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 65 Ports Across 24 Provinces (2026)
China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit program now covers 65 ports across 24 provinces and municipalities — up from 37 ports in 2024. Travelers from 55 eligible countries can enter through any approved port and stay within designated regions without a visa, as long as they hold confirmed onward tickets to a third country.
Key takeaway
China's 240-hour visa-free transit program now covers 65 ports across 24 provinces, up from 37 ports in December 2024. Travelers from 55 eligible countries can enter through any approved port, stay up to 10 days within designated travel zones, and continue to a third country without a visa. The clock starts at immigration entry, not landing. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country — round-trip tickets to China do not qualify.
How the rules work
What Changed
According to the State Council of China announcement on November 3, 2025, the NIA expanded the 240-hour transit program to additional ports and extended unilateral visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries through December 31, 2026. The port count grew from the initial 37 (December 2024) to 60+ in early 2025, and then to 65 ports as of May 2026, as documented by China For Travelers.
The key expansion details: Air ports include 35+ major international airports such as Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), and Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX). Sea ports now include Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen, and Qingdao. Most notably, land and high-speed rail ports have been added — the West Kowloon (Hong Kong) high-speed rail station, the Mohan border crossing (Laos), and several other land borders now accept transit passengers.
Per the NIA's official visa-free transit page, the 240-hour policy consolidated the previous 24-hour, 72-hour, and 144-hour programs into a single unified framework in December 2024. The clock now starts at immigration entry, not at aircraft landing, giving travelers the full 10 days of usable time.
Who this is for
Citizens of 55 eligible countries transiting through China to a third destination, multi-city travelers wanting to visit China without a visa, business travelers attending short events, and travelers combining Hong Kong/Macau with mainland China visits.
What to do next
- Verify your nationality on en.nia.gov.cn. 2. Book a qualifying itinerary through one of 65 approved ports with onward ticket to third country within 240 hours. 3. Print all booking confirmations, hotel reservations, and itinerary. 4. Register at your hotel upon arrival (automatic at check-in, no police station visit needed).
Watch for
❌ Booking round-trip ticket to China (e.g., London-Beijing-London) → ✅ Must have onward ticket to a third country (e.g., London-Beijing-Tokyo).
❌ Counting hours from flight landing → ✅ Clock starts at immigration entry stamp. A long queue doesn't reduce your 240 hours.
❌ Assuming you can travel anywhere in China → ✅ Stay within designated zones. Leaving approved provinces risks fines and entry bans.
❌ Forgetting passport validity → ✅ Passport must be valid 3+ months beyond departure date. Expired passports denied.
What may vary
Port eligibility changes periodically — verify your specific port on en.nia.gov.cn before booking. Zone restrictions differ by entry port — some allow multi-province travel, others are single-province. Airlines unfamiliar with transit rules may deny boarding — carry printed NIA policy. The unilateral visa-exemption for 40+ countries expires December 31, 2026 (separate from transit program).
Backup plan
If transit is denied, request a temporary entry permit at immigration. Alternatively, apply for a Port Visa at select airports (¥168–500 / US$23–70, nationality-dependent). For guaranteed entry, apply for a regular Chinese visa at your local embassy before travel.
FAQ
Which countries are eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit?
55 countries as of June 2026: all EU member states, US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, and more. Complete list maintained by the National Immigration Administration at en.nia.gov.cn.
Can I visit multiple Chinese cities on the 240-hour transit?
Yes, if all cities are within approved travel zones connected to your entry port. Shanghai entry allows travel in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang (Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou). Beijing entry covers Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei province.
Does Hong Kong or Macau count as a third country for transit?
Yes. Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan all qualify as third destinations. Example: London→Beijing (240h transit)→Hong Kong by train via West Kowloon station is valid.
What happens if I overstay the 240 hours?
Fines of ¥500/day (up to ¥10,000), possible detention, and a record affecting future visa applications. Always depart before your 240-hour window closes.
Which countries are eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit in 2026?
55 countries including all EU member states, the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, and more. The complete official list is maintained by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) at en.nia.gov.cn.
Does Hong Kong or Macau count as a third country for transit purposes?
Yes. Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan all count as third destinations. You can fly from London to Beijing (enter via 240-hour transit), then take a train to Hong Kong West Kowloon station (depart for third destination) within 240 hours.