Visa-Free Transit Policy 2025
China 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy 2025
China has long been a top travel destination, though its visa process can sometimes seem daunting. Fortunately, with the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, you can stay in China for up to 10 days and experience a memorable trip. To help you make the most of this opportunity, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to explain the visa-free transit policy and assist you in planning your visa-free journey through China.
Table of Contents
What Is the 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy?
The 10-day visa-free policy, also known as the 240-hour visa-free policy, allows you to fly or cruise into 24 eligible regions of China without a visa and stay for up to 10 days before continuing your journey to a third country. This means China is not your final destination, but rather a stopover on your way to another location. During this 10-day period, you can travel across provincial borders within the 24 eligible regions and enjoy a visa-free tour.
For example, if your trip starts in the USA and includes a flight transit in Beijing on your way to Thailand, you can take advantage of this policy to explore Beijing. You could also extend your tour from Beijing to other eligible cities like Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, and more, all based on your schedule.
*Beijing Great Wall
Popular Visa-Free Transit Destinations in China？
Currently, China has set up 24 visa-free transit zones, allowing entry through 60 designated ports. These areas encompass some of China’s most popular tourist destinations, including Beijing and Xi’an for their rich history, Zhangjiajie for its stunning landscapes, Shanghai for its modern vibe, Yunnan for its diverse ethnic cultures, and Chengdu, home to the beloved giant pandas.
| Province(Region, City) | Eligible Area | Port of Entry |
| Beijing | Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport; Beijing Daxing International Airport |
| Shanghai | Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport; Shanghai Pudong International Airport; Shanghai Seaport |
| Shaanxi | The whole Shaanxi Province, including Xi’an | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport |
| Sichuan | 11 cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, and Ziyang. | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport; Chengdu Tianfu International Airport |
| Hunan | The whole Hunan Province, including Changsha and Zhangjiajie | Changsha Huanghua International Airport; Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport |
| Yunnan | 9 cities: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang. | Kunming Changshui International Airport; Lijiang Sanyi International Airport; Mohan Railway Station Port |
| Province(Region, City) | Eligible Area | Port of Entry |
| Beijing | Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport; Beijing Daxing International Airport |
| Shanghai | Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport; Shanghai Pudong International Airport; Shanghai Seaport |
| Shaanxi | The whole Shaanxi Province, including Xi’an | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport |
| Sichuan | 11 cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, and Ziyang. | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport; Chengdu Tianfu International Airport |
| Hunan | The whole Hunan Province, including Changsha and Zhangjiajie | Changsha Huanghua International Airport; Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport |
| Yunnan | 9 cities: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang. | Kunming Changshui International Airport; Lijiang Sanyi International Airport; Mohan Railway Station Port |
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Visa-Free Transit Destinations in Northern China
In addition to the well-known cities, the visa-free areas in Northern China are also worth exploring. These cities, often less crowded, boast stunning landscapes and distinctive local cultures.
| Province(Region, City) | Eligible Area | Port of Entry |
| Tianjin | Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport; Tianjin Seaport |
| Henan | The whole Henan Province, including Zhengzhou and Dengfeng | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport |
| Liaoning | The whole Liaoning Province, including Dalian | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport; Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport; Dalian Seaport |
| Shanxi | Taiyuan and Datong | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport |
| Hebei | The whole Hebei Province, including Chengde | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport; Qinhuangdao Seaport |
| Heilongjiang | Harbin | Harbin Taiping International Airport |
| Shandong | The whole Shandong Province, including Qingdao, Jinan and Qufu | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport; Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport; Yantai Penglai International Airport; Weihai Dashuibo International Airport; Qingdao Seaport |
| Province(Region, City) | Eligible Area | Port of Entry |
| Tianjin | Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport; Tianjin Seaport |
| Henan | The whole Henan Province, including Zhengzhou and Dengfeng | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport |
| Liaoning | The whole Liaoning Province, including Dalian | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport; Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport; Dalian Seaport |
| Shanxi | Taiyuan and Datong | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport |
| Hebei | The whole Hebei Province, including Chengde | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport; Qinhuangdao Seaport |
| Heilongjiang | Harbin | Harbin Taiping International Airport |
| Shandong | The whole Shandong Province, including Qingdao, Jinan and Qufu | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport; Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport; Yantai Penglai International Airport; Weihai Dashuibo International Airport; Qingdao Seaport |
Visa-Free Transit Destinations in Southern China
Southern China is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, including Huangshan, West Lake in Hangzhou, and Suzhou, often called the “Venice of the East.” Guizhou is also rich in ethnic culture, offering a chance to explore Miao and Shui villages.
| Province(Region, City) | Eligible Area | Port of Entry |
| Guangxi | 12 cities: Guilin, Nanning, Liuzhou, Wuzhou, Fangchenggang, Beihai, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin | Nanning Wuxu International Airport; Beihai Fucheng Airport; Guilin Liangjiang International Airport; Beihai Seaport |
| Zhejiang | The whole Zhejiang Province, including Hangzhou, Wenzhou and Yiwu | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport; Ningbo Lishe International Airport; Wenzhou Longwan International Airport; Yiwu International Airport; Wenzhou Seaport; Zhoushan Seaport |
| Anhui | The whole Anhui Province, including Huangshan | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport; Huangshan Tunxi International Airport |
| Fujian | The whole Fujian Province, including Xiamen and Fuzhou | Fuzhou Changle International Airport; Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport; Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport; Wuyishan International Airport; Xiamen Seaport |
| Hubei | The whole Hubei Province, including Wuhan | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport |
| Hainan | The whole Hainan Province, including Haikou | Haikou Meilan International Airport; Sanya Phoenix International Airport |
| Chongqing | Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Guizhou | The whole Guizhou Province, including Guiyang | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang and Jingdezhen | Nanchang Changbei International Airport |
| Guangdong | The whole Guangdong Province, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport; Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport; Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport; Nansha Seaport; Shekou Seaport |
| Jiangsu | The whole Jiangsu Province, including Nanjing and Suzhou | Nanjing Lukou International Airport; Sunan Shuofang International Airport; Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport; Lianyungang Seaport |
| Province(Region, City) | Eligible Area | Port of Entry |
| Guangxi | 12 cities: Guilin, Nanning, Liuzhou, Wuzhou, Fangchenggang, Beihai, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin | Nanning Wuxu International Airport; Beihai Fucheng Airport; Guilin Liangjiang International Airport; Beihai Seaport |
| Zhejiang | The whole Zhejiang Province, including Hangzhou, Wenzhou and Yiwu | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport; Ningbo Lishe International Airport; Wenzhou Longwan International Airport; Yiwu International Airport; Wenzhou Seaport; Zhoushan Seaport |
| Anhui | The whole Anhui Province, including Huangshan | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport; Huangshan Tunxi International Airport |
| Fujian | The whole Fujian Province, including Xiamen and Fuzhou | Fuzhou Changle International Airport; Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport; Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport; Wuyishan International Airport; Xiamen Seaport |
| Hubei | The whole Hubei Province, including Wuhan | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport |
| Hainan | The whole Hainan Province, including Haikou | Haikou Meilan International Airport; Sanya Phoenix International Airport |
| Chongqing | Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Guizhou | The whole Guizhou Province, including Guiyang | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang and Jingdezhen | Nanchang Changbei International Airport |
| Guangdong | The whole Guangdong Province, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport; Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport; Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport; Nansha Seaport; Shekou Seaport |
| Jiangsu | The whole Jiangsu Province, including Nanjing and Suzhou | Nanjing Lukou International Airport; Sunan Shuofang International Airport; Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport; Lianyungang Seaport |
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Eligible Nationalities for 10-Day Visa-Free Transit in China
You are eligible for the transit visa-free policy if you are a citizen of one of the following 54 countries:
- 3 countries in North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico
- 3 countries in South America: Brazil, Argentina, and Chile
- 40 countries in Europe: 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, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, and Norway
- 2 countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand
- 6 countries in Asia: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar
Differences Between Visa-Free Entry and Visa-Free Transit in China
China’s transit visa-free policy differs in several ways from its visa-free entry policy. In general, the visa-free entry policy applies to a broader range of areas and permits longer stays. However, the countries eligible for visa-free entry do not completely overlap with those eligible for visa-free transit. The details are outlined below:
| Visa-Free Entry | Visa-Free Transit | |
| Permitted duration of stay | 30 days | 10 days |
| Eligible nationalities | 38 unilateral visa-free countries & 25 mutual visa-free countries | 54 countries as listed above |
| Area of stay | Mainland China (Tibet Travel Permit is needed for visiting Tibet) | 24 eligible regions of mainland China (crossing provincial boundaries is allowed) |
| Visa-Free Entry | Visa-Free Transit | |
| Permitted duration of stay | 30 days | 10 days |
| Eligible nationalities | 38 unilateral visa-free countries & 25 mutual visa-free countries | 54 countries as listed above |
| Area of stay | Mainland China (Tibet Travel Permit is needed for visiting Tibet) | 24 eligible regions of mainland China (crossing provincial boundaries is allowed) |
FAQs about China Visa-Free Transit Policy
What should you prepare before entering China?
a.Ensure you have an onward ticket to your next destination with a confirmed departure date and seat within 10 days.
b.Complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry of Foreigners at the port of entry.
c.Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months.How are the 10 days calculated?
The 10-day period starts at 12:00 AM on the second day after your arrival. For example, if your flight arrives in Beijing at 14:00 on October 1, the 10-day countdown begins at 00:00 on October 2. This means you’ll have more time to explore China until the last minute on October 11. However, if your departure is delayed, you will need to apply for an extension to stay longer.- Can I visit Tibet under the visa-free transit policy?
No, Tibet is not included in the list of 24 regions eligible for visa-free transit. However, if you qualify for the visa-free entry policy, we can assist you in applying for a Tibet Travel Permit, as individual travelers are not allowed to visit Tibet independently.
Planning a Visa-Free Trip to China
If your upcoming journey passes through China, why not make the most of the visa-free policy and explore this fascinating country? Don’t stress about your travel plans with so many options available. Reach out to us at trip@abztrip.com, and we’ll create a personalized itinerary just for you. Trust our experienced team to provide you with a perfect travel experience. We look forward to helping you plan your China adventure.
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