China Tourist Visa
How to Plan a China Trip with the 10-Day (240-Hour) Visa-Free Transit Policy
As China continues to relax its visa policies, citizens from 38 countries, including Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, and more, can now enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 30 days.
In addition, China now offers a 10-day visa-free transit policy to further welcome international visitors.
54 Countries Eligible for the Policy
- Americans (6 countries): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Republic of Chile, the United States
- European citizens (40 countries): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom
- Oceanians (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand
- Asians (6 countries): Brunei, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates
Transit to a Third Country or Region
Under the 10-day visa-free transit policy, you must continue to a third country or region (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) after your stay in the Chinese mainland.
Examples of Valid and Invalid Itineraries:
√ USA–Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai-Hong Kong-USA
√ USA–Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai-Hong Kong
√ USA–Beijing–Shanghai–Xi’an–Japan
× USA–Beijing–Shanghai–Xi’an–USA
Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and Singapore are great options to combine with China in order to fully take advantage of the 10-day visa-free transit policy. These countries offer visa-free access for most countries or require only a simple e-visa application.
10-Day Visa-Free Visit to China in 5 Steps
- Step 1: Choose to enter China through any of the following ports.
- Step 2: After landing, follow the signs to the 240-hour visa-free entry counter.
- Step 3: Present or complete the required documents as instructed by the staff, including your passport, hotel booking details, onward flight ticket to a third country, arrival/departure card, visa for the third country (if applicable), etc.
- Step 4: Once completed, collect your luggage and proceed through customs.
- Step 5: Exit the airport and begin your journey.
| List of Allowed Ports for the 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy | |
|---|---|
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport | |
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport |
| Tianjin Port (Passenger) | |
| Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport |
| Qinhuangdao Port(Passenger) | |
| Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport |
| Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | |
| Dalian Port (Passenger) | |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport |
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport | |
| Shanghai Port (Passenger) | |
| Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou International Airport |
| Su’nan Shuofang International Airport | |
| Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport | |
| Lianyungang Port (Passenger) | |
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport |
| Ningbo Lishe International Airport | |
| Wenzhou Longwan International Airport | |
| Yiwu Airport | |
| Wenzhou Port(Passenger) | |
| Zhoushan Port (Passenger) | |
| Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport |
| Huangshan Tunxi International Airport | |
| Fujian | Fuzhou Changle International Airport |
| Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | |
| Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport | |
| Wuyishan Airport | |
| Xiamen Port (Passenger) | |
| Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport |
| Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport | |
| Yantai Penglai International Airport | |
| Weihai Dashuipo International Airport | |
| Qingdao Port (Passenger) | |
| Henan | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport |
| Hubei | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport |
| Hunan | Changsha Huanghua International Airport |
| Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport | |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport |
| Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport | |
| Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | |
| Nansha Port(Passenger) | |
| Shekou Port(Passenger) | |
| Hainan | Haikou Meilan International Airport |
| Sanya Phoenix International Airport | |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport |
| Shaanxi | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport |
| Shanxi | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport |
| Heilongjiang | Harbin Taiping International Airport |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei International Airport |
| Guangxi | Nanning Wuxu International Airport |
| Guilin Liangjiang International Airport | |
| Beihai Fucheng Airport | |
| Beihai Port (Passenger) | |
| Sichuan | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport |
| Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | |
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport |
| Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | |
| Mohan Railway Port | |
When you book a tour with China Highlights, we want to make sure your journey is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Your friendly guide will meet you at the airport, holding a sign with your name, and escort you to your hotel. If you encounter any issues during the entry process, your guide or travel consultant will be ready to assist.
How Are the 10 Days Calculated?
The 10 days start from 00:00 on the day after entry.
For example, if you enter Shanghai at 6 am on June 1st, your 240 hours start from 00:00 on June 2nd, and you can stay until 23:59 on June 11th.
In short, you can enjoy 11 visa-free days in China, including the day of arrival.
FAQs
1. Can I travel across provinces with the policy?
Yes, you can travel freely within the designated 24 provinces during your 10-day visa-free transit period, such as:
- Beijing – Xi’an
- Xi’an – Beijing – Shanghai
- Shanghai – Chengdu – Yunnan
(Tibet, Xinjiang, and Silk Road are not covered)
2. Can I enter the Chinese mainland by train from Hong Kong under the policy?
No, but you can take a train to Hong Kong from the Chinese mainland, such as Beijing – Xi’an – Guilin – Hong Kong.
3. Is it possible to plan a trip like this: UK – Hong Kong – Beijing – Shanghai – Hong Kong – UK?
No. Hong Kong belongs to China.
×UK – Hong Kong – Beijing – Shanghai – Hong Kong – UK
√UK – Hong Kong – Beijing – Shanghai – Japan
4. What documents are required?
- Your passport (valid for at least three months)
- A confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region
- Hotel booking confirmation
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