China 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Exact steps to use China's 10-day transit visa-free: eligibility check, 57-country list, designated ports, arrival card, immigration process, allowed travel area. Includes US citizens.
How the rules work
How 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Works
The 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free policy allows citizens of 57 countries to stay in China for up to 10 days when transiting to a third country (not your home country).
Key rule: You must enter China from Country A and depart to Country B, where A ≠ B. Example: London → Shanghai → Tokyo qualifies. London → Shanghai → London does NOT qualify.
The 240 hours starts from the moment you clear immigration (entry stamp date). You must exit China before the 240-hour deadline.
No advance application needed — apply on arrival at immigration. The process takes 5–10 minutes.
This is especially useful for US citizens (who don't qualify for unilateral visa-free) and travelers combining China with other Asian countries.
Eligibility & Application Steps
Follow these steps to use the 240-hour transit visa-free policy.
- Check if your country is eligible (57 countries)
As of August 20, 2026, the 240-hour transit visa-free policy covers 57 countries. See the complete country list table below. If your country is not on the list, you need a regular visa. The most recent additions are Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam (added August 20, 2026).
Tip: US citizens ARE eligible for 240-hour transit visa-free (even though not for unilateral visa-free). This is the easiest way for Americans to visit China short-term without a visa.
- Book a qualifying itinerary (A → China → B)
You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country departing within 240 hours (10 days). The third country must be different from your departure country. Book flights/trains with confirmed seats. The onward ticket can be to any country except your departure country. Example: You fly from San Francisco to Shanghai, then from Shanghai to Tokyo (or Seoul, Bangkok, Hong Kong, etc.).
Warning: Round-trip tickets to the SAME country do NOT qualify. If you fly New York → Beijing → New York, you cannot use transit visa-free. You must go to a third country (e.g., New York → Beijing → Tokyo → New York).
- Enter through a designated port
As of August 2026, 240-hour transit visa-free is available at 65 designated ports across 24 provinces, including: Beijing (PEK/PKX), Shanghai (PVG/SHA), Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX), Chengdu (TFU/CTU), Chongqing (CKG), Xi'an (XIY), Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing (NKG), Xiamen (XMN), Kunming (KMG), Guilin (KWL), Harbin (HRB), and more. This includes airports, seaports, and railway stations (e.g., Shanghai cruise terminal, Kunming railway for Laos crossings, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail).
- Fill out the transit arrival card
On the plane or at immigration, fill out the '240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Arrival Card' (240小时过境免签入境卡). You'll need: passport number, nationality, flight numbers (arrival and onward), address in China (hotel name), signature. Some airports have electronic kiosks — scan your passport and the info auto-fills. If unsure, ask the flight attendant or immigration officer for the correct form.
Tip: Have your hotel address ready. If staying with friends, use their address. If you haven't booked, write the name of the first hotel you plan to check into — you can change it later.
- Present documents at immigration
At the immigration counter, present: 1) Your passport (valid 6+ months). 2) The completed transit arrival card. 3) Your confirmed onward ticket to a third country (show on phone or printed). 4) If asked: hotel booking or proof of sufficient funds. The officer will verify your eligibility, scan your fingerprints, take your photo, and stamp your passport with a '240-hour Transit' stamp showing the deadline date.
Warning: The stamp shows your deadline (entry date + 10 days). You MUST exit China before this date. Overstaying transit visa-free results in fines (¥500/day) and may result in detention for serious overstays. Set a reminder on your phone.
- Know your allowed travel area
With 240-hour transit visa-free, you can travel within the province/municipality of your entry port. For example: entering Shanghai → travel within Shanghai municipality. Entering Beijing → travel within Beijing. Some regions allow cross-province travel: Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai + Jiangsu + Zhejiang), Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Guangdong province. Check the specific rules for your entry city. You cannot travel to other provinces unless they're in the same designated cluster.
FAQ
Can I leave China from a different port than I entered?
Yes, as long as both ports are designated transit visa-free ports and you stay within the allowed travel area. For example, enter Shanghai, exit from Hangzhou (both in Yangtze River Delta cluster). But you cannot enter Shanghai and exit from Beijing (different clusters).
Can I use transit visa-free for a one-way ticket?
No — you must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within 240 hours. One-way tickets into China do not qualify. You need proof of departure to a third country.