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China’s Visa-Free Policy: 240-Hour Transit & 30-Day Entry

Overview of China’s Visa-Free Policies

As of March 2025, China has implemented several visa-free policies to facilitate international travel, making it easier for foreign visitors to explore the country. These policies include:

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (TWOV) – Available for travelers from 54 countries transiting through China to a third country, allowing a stay of up to 240 hours (10 days).
30-Day Visa-Free Entry – Available for citizens from 38 countries, permitting a stay of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, and exchanges.

These policies significantly enhance accessibility and flexibility for international travelers, removing the need for a full visa in many cases.

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (TWOV)

Who Can Use It?

Citizens of 54 countries, including the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and EU nations.
Only for travelers transiting through China en route to a third country.

Duration:

Maximum stay: 240 hours (10 days).

Eligible Countries:

Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.

Eligibility Requirements:

Travelers must be transiting (e.g., New York → Beijing → Tokyo is eligible, but New York → Beijing → New York is NOT).
Proof of onward travel (confirmed air/train ticket to a third country within 240 hours) is required before arrival.
Valid passport with at least three months of validity remaining.
Travelers must stay within designated transit regions (e.g., Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang or Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei).
Must enter and exit from the same region (e.g., if you arrive in Guangzhou, you cannot leave from Beijing).

Eligible Entry Ports:

The policy applies at 60 designated entry ports across 24 provinces.
Key airports include: Beijing Capital & Daxing, Shanghai Pudong & Hongqiao, Guangzhou Baiyun, Chengdu Tianfu, Xi’an Xianyang, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, and many more.

Benefits:

No need to apply for a visa in advance.
Allows for short-term tourism and business stops in China.
Convenient for connecting flights and layovers.

30-Day Visa-Free Entry

Who Can Use It?

Citizens of 38 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and more.
Used for tourism, business, family visits, and exchanges.

Eligible Countries:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Duration:

Maximum stay: 30 days per entry.
No need to show proof of onward travel.
How to calculate the duration of stay? Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver may stay in China continuously without a visa from the date of entry to the 30th calendar day until 24:00.

Entry & Travel Conditions:

Unrestricted travel within China during the stay.
Multiple entries and exits allowed within policy validity.
Entry and exit from any designated international port.
Valid until: December 31, 2025 (subject to renewal or expansion).
China-Singapore Mutual Visa-Free Agreement: From February 9, 2024, Singaporean citizens can also stay in China visa-free for up to 30 days.

Comparison: 240-Hour Transit vs. 30-Day Visa-Free Entry

Feature	30-Day Visa-Free Entry	240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (TWOV)
Purpose	Tourism, business, family visits, exchanges	Transit only (must travel to a third country)
Who Qualifies?	Citizens of 38 countries	Citizens of 54 countries
Duration	Up to 30 days	Up to 240 hours (10 days)
Proof of Onward Travel?	No	Yes (Must show onward ticket to a third country)
Regions Allowed	Anywhere in China	Limited to transit regions (e.g., Shanghai, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei)
Entry & Exit Points	Any designated port	Must depart from the same region you entered

Which Policy Should You Use?

If staying for more than 10 days and eligible, use the 30-day visa-free entry.
If only transiting through China, use the 240-hour transit visa-free option.
If eligible for both, the 30-day visa-free entry is more flexible, allowing unrestricted travel.

Practical Travel Tips

Plan your itinerary wisely – Maximize your stay by exploring multiple destinations.
Get travel insurance – Ensure coverage for unexpected incidents.
Download essential apps – Use WeChat for communication and DiDi for transport.
Check entry requirements – Verify the latest policy updates before departure.

Final Thoughts: A More Accessible China

China’s visa-free policies enhance travel flexibility, making it easier for international visitors to explore historical sites, experience cultural immersion, and conduct business without the hassle of a full visa application.

For the latest updates on visa requirements, check the official National Immigration Administration (NIA) website or consult your local Chinese embassy or consulate.