Visa-Free Entry & 240-Hour Transit
Check whether you can enter China without a visa: the 30-day visa-free list (48 countries through Dec 31, 2026) and the 240-hour transit rules for 55 countries.
Can you skip the visa?
Two ways to enter China without a visa. First: if your passport is from one of 48 countries on the unilateral visa-free list (including the UK, Canada, most of the EU, Japan, South Korea, Australia), you can stay up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. This policy runs through December 31, 2026. Second: if you're from one of 55 eligible countries (including the US) and flying on to a third country, the 240-hour (10-day) transit policy lets you stay visa-free in 24 provinces. US citizens are NOT on the 30-day list - transit is your only visa-free option.
- 30-day visa-free: 48 countries, valid through Dec 31, 2026
- 240-hour transit: 55 countries, needs an onward ticket to a third country
- UK and Canada joined the 30-day list on Feb 17, 2026
- Russia has a separate visa-free arrangement until Sep 14, 2026
- No visa-free option? See the Tourist Visa (L) article
30-Day Visa-Free Countries (through Dec 31, 2026)
Europe (34)
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Asia-Pacific (4)
- Japan
- South Korea
- Australia
- New Zealand
Middle East (4)
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
Americas (6)
- Canada
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Chile
- Peru
- Uruguay
Mutual visa-exemption agreements
Separate from the unilateral list above, some passports have permanent mutual agreements with China that don't expire in 2026. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Belarus, UAE and Qatar citizens enter visa-free under these deals - several allow up to 90 days within any 180-day period (Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Belarus). Russians can enter visa-free under a one-year trial running Sep 15, 2025 to Sep 14, 2026. If your country has a mutual agreement, use it - it's more flexible than the 30-day unilateral policy.
240-hour transit: how it works
If you're not on the 30-day list (notably US citizens, plus Mexicans and Indonesians), the 240-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy gives you up to 10 days in China. The catch: you must be in genuine transit - arriving from country A and holding a confirmed onward ticket to country C within 240 hours. You cannot fly back to where you came from. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan count as separate regions, so US > Shanghai > Hong Kong qualifies. You can enter at any of 65 designated ports across 24 provinces and move freely between those provinces during your stay.
240-Hour Transit Eligible Countries (55)
Europe (40)
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Americas (6)
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Chile
Asia (7)
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Indonesia
- UAE
- Qatar
Oceania (2)
- Australia
- New Zealand
Using the 240-hour transit at the airport
- Before you fly
Book a confirmed onward ticket (flight, train, or cruise) to a third country or region departing within 240 hours. Buy it before check-in - airline staff will ask for it. Print it.
- At check-in
Show your passport and onward ticket. The airline reports transit passengers to Chinese border inspection. If staff are unfamiliar with the policy, show them the NIA page (en.nia.gov.cn) and ask for a supervisor.
- Fill the arrival card
Since Nov 20, 2025 you can complete the entry card online before arrival or at electronic kiosks at the border. Tick the 240-hour transit option.
- Go to the TWOV counter on arrival
Don't join the regular immigration queue. Look for the dedicated 'Transit Without Visa' or '240-hour' counter and present passport, onward ticket, and arrival card.
- Get your temporary entry permit
The officer stamps a temporary entry permit into your passport showing your allowed stay. Check the date before leaving the counter.
30-day visa-free vs 240-hour transit
| 30-Day Visa-Free | 240-Hour Transit | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | 48 countries (not US) | 55 countries (incl. US, Mexico, Indonesia) |
| Max stay | 30 days | 10 days (240 hours) |
| Onward ticket | Return or onward, any destination | Must be to a third country/region, within 240h |
| Where you can go | All of mainland China (except permit areas like Tibet) | 24 designated provinces only |
| Entry ports | Any international port | 65 designated ports |
| Extension | No | No (emergencies only) |
Documents to carry
Both policies
240-hour transit extras
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility & tickets
Does Hong Kong count as a 'third country' for transit?
Yes. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are treated as separate regions. Flying US > Beijing > Hong Kong qualifies for the 240-hour transit. Flying US > Beijing > US does not.
Can I book two separate one-way tickets?
Yes, but airlines prefer one booking. If you book separately, print every confirmation and allow generous connection time - check-in agents are the bottleneck, not immigration.
I'm a dual citizen - which passport should I use?
Use the passport from the eligible country, and use the same passport for the entire trip. China does not recognize dual citizenship.
I had a China visa refused before. Am I still eligible?
A refusal or immigration violation in recent years can disqualify you from transit entry at the officer's discretion. Apply for a regular L visa instead - it's the safer route.
During your stay
Can I travel between cities on the transit policy?
Yes, freely within the 24 eligible provinces - high-speed rail, domestic flights, buses all fine. You can also exit from a different port than you entered, as long as it's one of the 65 designated ports.
Do I need to register my accommodation?
Yes, within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels do it automatically at check-in. Staying with friends or in a private rental? You must register at the local police station yourself - skipping this risks a fine up to 2,000 RMB.
Can I work remotely during a visa-free stay?
No paid work of any kind is permitted, including remote work for a foreign employer. Visa-free entry covers tourism, business meetings, family visits, and exchanges only.
Can I extend my 30-day or 240-hour stay?
No. Neither can be extended except for medical emergencies or force majeure with documentation. If you might stay longer, get an L visa before traveling.
Can I visit Tibet on visa-free entry?
Tibet requires a separate Tibet Travel Permit arranged through a licensed tour operator regardless of your visa status, and transit travelers must stay inside the 24 eligible provinces - Tibet is not one of them.