China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
As last verified on 2026-08-20, eligible ordinary-passport travelers from 57 countries may use the 240-hour transit-without-visa arrangement through 65 open ports in 24 provinces or regions when transiting China to a third country or region with a confirmed onward or interline itinerary.
Key Answer
Eligible ordinary-passport travelers from 57 countries, including U.S. citizens, may use China's 240-hour visa-free transit arrangement when transiting through China to a third country or region with an interline passenger ticket with confirmed dates and itinerary. The arrangement applies through 65 open ports in 24 provinces or regions, and the stay must remain within the officially permitted area. Work, study and news reporting that require prior approval are not covered; meeting the framework does not guarantee entry, which is subject to immigration inspection and current rules.
Key Facts
- The 240-hour transit-without-visa arrangement is available to eligible ordinary-passport holders from 57 designated countries, currently including the United States.
- The arrangement applies through 65 open ports in 24 provinces or regions in China.
- The traveler must transit through China to a third country or region; specific routing questions should be checked against current official rules.
- The traveler must hold an interline passenger ticket with confirmed dates and itinerary, and the stay must remain within the officially permitted area; travelers should confirm current port, area, and route eligibility before departure.
- Entry is not guaranteed and is subject to immigration inspection; work, study, and news reporting that require prior approval are not covered by this arrangement.
A current, high-level overview of China's 240-hour visa-free transit framework and its case-specific limits.
What the arrangement generally covers
The current framework includes U.S. ordinary-passport holders among the eligible countries. Permitted activities can include tourism, business, visits and family visits, subject to the officially permitted area and current rules.
Work, study and news reporting that requires prior approval are not covered by this transit arrangement and may require the appropriate visa or authorization. This is different from the separate 24-hour transit-without-visa rules.
Requirements may vary by nationality, place of application, visa type and current policy.
Before applying, confirm the latest requirements with the relevant Chinese embassy, consulate or official visa application center.
Route and location details matter
The traveler must be transiting China en route to a third country or region, and the onward or interline itinerary must be confirmed. The stay must remain within the officially permitted area; travelers should confirm the current port, area and itinerary rules before departure.
Easy China Visa can help organize the nationality, passport, itinerary, port, destination and purpose-of-stay information for a case review. This practical assistance does not replace an authority decision.
Immigration inspection and entry decision
Meeting the published framework requirements does not guarantee entry into China. Immigration officials at the point of entry retain the authority to evaluate each traveler's eligibility and to make an entry decision based on the individual case, travel documents, itinerary, purpose of stay and current rules.
Travelers should be prepared to provide documentation of their outbound travel, explain their itinerary and activities within China, and demonstrate that their stay aligns with the permitted 240-hour transit framework.
Sources and policy information
- National Immigration Administration of ChinaLast verified: 2026-08-23
Policies may change by date, location, or case. Confirm the latest official requirements before applying.
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