China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: The Complete 2026 Guide

Citizens of 54 countries can now stay in China for up to 10 days without a visa when transiting to a third country. Here is exactly how the 240-hour policy works, which ports qualify, and the mistakes that get travellers turned away.

What is the 240-hour visa-free transit?

China's visa-free transit policy allows eligible travellers arriving from one country and departing to a third country or region to stay inside designated areas of China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without applying for a visa in advance. It replaced the former 72/144-hour rules and is now the single easiest way to see Chengdu's panda base, the Great Wall, or Shanghai's skyline on a short trip.

The clock starts at 00:00 the day after you arrive — so a Tuesday-morning landing can mean until the following Friday. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (not the one you came from) dated within 240 hours, plus a passport valid for at least 3 months.

Who qualifies

Nationals of 54 countries including the US, UK, most EU states, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and the UAE.
You must transit to a different country or region than your origin — a Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan leg counts as the 'third country'.
You must enter and leave through ports that accept the policy (all major international airports qualify, including Chengdu Tianfu TFU, Beijing PEK/PKX and Shanghai PVG).

How to apply on arrival

Before immigration, look for the visa-free transit counter. Show your passport, onward boarding pass and hotel booking. Officers issue a temporary entry permit stamped into your passport. Allow 30–60 extra minutes at peak times; Chengdu Tianfu is usually faster than Beijing.

Rules that catch people out

You generally cannot leave the arrival province (plus a few pre-approved neighbour provinces) — Chengdu arrivals may travel freely within Sichuan.
Domestic onward flights within China are fine, but you must exit from the same port region you entered unless you enter through ports explicitly allowing nationwide exit.
Overstay by even one day triggers fines and a 3-year entry ban.

Pair this policy with our full visa guide if your plans exceed 10 days. MyGuideTrip can coordinate a licensed English-speaking guide within any 240-hour window in Chengdu.