As of December 2025, China’s National Immigration Administration has significantly expanded the scope of the 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free policy, which now covers citizens of 55 countries. This policy allows travelers to stay in China visa-free for up to 10 days on the premise of transit to a third country. This is a significant shift in China’s tourism policy and will provide tourists with more opportunities to experience China’s rich culture and bustling cities.
The new rules aim to encourage “slow travel” and give tourists the opportunity to explore multiple regions of China over a week or more. Currently, there are 65 major ports of entry in 24 provinces in China, allowing visitors to freely travel between provinces and immerse themselves in China’s vibrant cultural, historical and modern attractions.
This policy is more flexible than the previous 144-hour transit rule, extending the length of stay and opening up new possibilities for international travelers. This article will explore eligible countries, key ports of entry, and important details you need to know so you can make the most of this expanded visa waiver in 2025 and beyond.
Who is eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy?
The 240-hour transit visa-free policy applies to citizens of 55 countries by region. It is worth noting that citizens of many of these countries can also enjoy China’s 30-day visa-free entry policy, which is often more flexible than the transit visa-free policy. This policy extension provides travelers from Europe, Southeast Asia, the Americas and Oceania with more opportunities to stay in China for longer periods without a visa.
Eligible countries by region
- Europe (40):
Most European countries benefit from extended visa-free treatment, including the Schengen area and EU countries. The full list is as follows:- Schengen Area/EU: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
- Other European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
- Americas (6 countries):
Citizens of these countries can also enjoy 240-hour visa-free transit in China. The list includes:- USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
- Asia (7 countries)：
This is a key area of the policy, where visa-free transit offers are available to travelers from several major Asian countries, including:- South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia (new in June 2025).
- Oceania (2 countries)：
- Australia, New Zealand.
These 55 countries have now joined a global shift in visa policies to make travel to China more accessible. This expanded visa-free transit policy provides an excellent opportunity for business travelers and tourists to explore China’s major cities and provinces without the need for traditional visas.
Important “Transit” Rules for 2025-2026 Travelers
To successfully utilize the 240-hour visa-free transit, travelers must adhere to specific rules and requirements. These guidelines ensure that the travel experience is smooth and compliant with China’s immigration policies.
Key Transit Rules
- Onward Ticket:
Travelers must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (Country C), such as Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore. It’s important to note that a round-trip ticket (e.g., London → Shanghai → London) does not qualify for the 240-hour visa-free policy. - Stay Limitation:
The 240-hour countdown begins at midnight (00:00) on the day following your entry into China. Therefore, travelers have exactly 10 days to explore the country under the transit policy. - Permitted activities：
During the 240-hour stay, travelers can go on tourism, business activities and visit relatives and friends. However, please note that this policy does not allow working, studying, or engaging in professional journalism in China. - Register with the local police：
Travelers must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival, and the hotel usually handles this process automatically upon check-in. - “A → B (China) → C” transit rules：
To qualify for visa-free transit, travelers must follow the correct itinerary from country A to China (B) and then to country C.
China has implemented a 30-day visa-free entry policy for some countries
In addition to the 240-hour transit visa-free policy, China has also implemented a 30-day unilateral visa-free entry policy for citizens of some countries, especially European and Southeast Asian countries. This extension is a significant update that covers countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia, allowing travelers from these countries to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa.
For travelers from these countries, the 30-day entry policy offers greater flexibility, completely waiving the requirement to transit in a third country. This makes it easier for travelers to stay in China longer without having to travel to other countries within 10 days.
How to qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit
To enjoy the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travelers must meet the following conditions:
- Travel routes：
Passengers must follow the “A → B (China) → C” rule, which means that they must travel from country A (origin) to a third country (country C) via China (country B), such as Japan, Hong Kong or Singapore. Round-trip tickets (e.g., London→ Shanghai→ London) are not eligible for this policy. - Onward tickets：
Passengers must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (country C). This indicates that the traveler plans to leave China within 240 hours. - Stay time limit：
The 240-hour stay period starts at 00:00 (midnight) on the day after the passenger’s entry into China. This means that travelers have a full 10 days to visit China according to the transit policy. - Permitted activities：
Travelers can engage in tourism, business or visiting relatives and friends during their stay in China. However, the visa-free policy does not allow working, studying, or engaging in professional journalism. - Register with the local government：
Travelers must register with the local police (usually through the hotel) within 24 hours of arrival.
Why is this policy so important for travelers?
China’s expanded 240-hour transit visa-free policy is significant for international travelers, offering greater flexibility and convenience in entering China. Whether you’re traveling, business, or visiting family, this policy opens up endless possibilities, allowing you to explore multiple provinces and experience China’s diverse culture, history, and modern development.
By relaxing visa requirements and expanding the range of eligible countries and ports of entry, China has made it easier than ever for tourists to travel to China and experience its diverse tourism offerings, from ancient cultural sites to modern attractions. This convenience is further enhanced by the new 30-day visa-free entry policy, encouraging tourists to stay longer in China without the need for traditional visas.
