What counts as a valid 'third country or region'?

Any country or region different from where you boarded your flight to China. Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan all count as separate regions — so New York → Shanghai → Hong Kong qualifies, but New York → Shanghai → New York does not.

How is the 240 hours counted?

The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you enter China and runs for 10 full days. You must leave before it expires, from any open port — not necessarily the one you entered.

Can I move freely around China during transit?

Not entirely. Each entry port allows travel within a defined zone — usually its own province, or a small multi-province cluster for Beijing, Shanghai, and a few others. Travel outside your permitted zone isn't allowed on a transit entry.

What do I do at the airport on arrival?

Look for the 'Temporary Entry Permit' or '24/240-hour transit' counter before immigration. Show your passport, your onward ticket to the third country, and your China accommodation. Officers issue the permit on the spot — no advance application.

What if I want to visit somewhere outside my transit zone?

Then transit isn't the right entry route — check whether your nationality qualifies for full visa-free entry (many do, with no route or zone restrictions) using our visa-free checker, or apply for a tourist visa.

Free tool · Verified 2026-08-11

240-Hour Transit Planner

The 10-day visa-free transit trips up more travelers than any other China entry rule. Answer three questions and we'll tell you if your trip qualifies — and where you'll be allowed to go.

1. Your passport2. Where will you enter China?

3. Your routeI fly onward to a different country/region (e.g. → Hong Kong, → Tokyo)I return to the same country I came from

How does China's 240-hour visa-free transit work?

Introduced in December 2024 (replacing the older 72- and 144-hour schemes), the 240-hour transit lets citizens of 55 countries spend up to 10 days in China without a visa — as long as China is a stopover, not the destination. From the founding announcement:

“The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days).”

— National Immigration Administration announcement, via the China Visa Application Service Center, 17 December 2024

Three conditions must all be true:

Eligible passport. Your nationality must be on the 55-country transit list. Note: many travelers whose countries offer full 30-day visa-free entry don't need transit at all.
A genuine onward journey. You must hold a confirmed ticket to a third country or region, departing within 240 hours. A round trip back to your origin does not qualify.
Entry through a designated port and staying in-zone. 65 ports across 24 provinces participate; each admits you to a defined travel zone. Five were added in November 2025 — Guangzhou, Zhuhai's Hengqin, Zhongshan, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and West Kowloon Station on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail link — which matters most if you're crossing from Hong Kong or Macao rather than flying in.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a valid 'third country or region'?: Any country or region different from where you boarded your flight to China. Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan all count as separate regions — so New York → Shanghai → Hong Kong qualifies, but New York → Shanghai → New York does not.
How is the 240 hours counted?: The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you enter China and runs for 10 full days. You must leave before it expires, from any open port — not necessarily the one you entered.
Can I move freely around China during transit?: Not entirely. Each entry port allows travel within a defined zone — usually its own province, or a small multi-province cluster for Beijing, Shanghai, and a few others. Travel outside your permitted zone isn't allowed on a transit entry.
What do I do at the airport on arrival?: Look for the 'Temporary Entry Permit' or '24/240-hour transit' counter before immigration. Show your passport, your onward ticket to the third country, and your China accommodation. Officers issue the permit on the spot — no advance application.
What if I want to visit somewhere outside my transit zone?: Then transit isn't the right entry route — check whether your nationality qualifies for full visa-free entry (many do, with no route or zone restrictions) using our visa-free checker, or apply for a tourist visa.

Not transiting? Check full visa-free entry Prepare for your trip →