National Immigration Administration today announced that starting from today, it will fully relax and optimize the transit visa-free policy, extending the stay time of transit visa-free foreigners in the country from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days), and adding 21 ports as entry and exit ports for transit visa-free personnel, and further expanding the stay and activity areas. Eligible personnel from Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and 54 other countries, transiting through China to a third country (region), can enter China visa-free from any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (regions, cities) and stay and operate within the specified areas for no more than 240 hours.
The 21 new ports added to the transit visa-free policy include: Shanxi Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, Jiangsu Sunan Shuofang, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, Zhejiang Wenzhou Longwan, Yiwu International Airport, Anhui Hefei Xinqiao, Huangshan Tunxi International Airport, Fujian Fuzhou Changle, Quanzhou Jinjiang, Wuyishan International Airport, Jiangxi Nanchang Changbei International Airport, Shandong Jinan Yaoqiang, Yantai Penglai, Weihai Dashuipo International Airport, Hunan Zhangjiajie Lotus International Airport, Guangxi Nanning Wuxu, Beihai Fucheng International Airport, Hainan Haikou Meilan, Sanya Phoenix International Airport, Sichuan Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Guizhou Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport. The number of open ports applicable has increased from the original 39 to 60.
The fully relaxed and optimized 240-hour transit visa-free policy has further expanded the stay and activity areas. The policy applicable provinces have increased from the original 19 provinces (regions, cities) including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Shaanxi to include Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, Guizhou, totaling 24 provinces (regions, cities). Among the newly added 5 provinces, transit visa-free personnel can stay and operate throughout Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou provinces, in Taiyuan and Datong cities in Shanxi province, and in Nanchang and Jingdezhen cities in Jiangxi province. Fujian, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces have expanded their stay and activity areas to the entire province, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has expanded its stay and activity areas to the administrative regions of Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin, and 12 cities. Foreigners entering China through the transit visa-free policy can travel across provinces within the allowed stay and activity areas of the above 24 provinces (regions, cities).
The person in charge of the National Immigration Administration introduced that this relaxation and optimization of the transit visa-free policy is an important measure for the National Immigration Administration to earnestly study and implement the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, actively serve and promote high-level opening up, and facilitate the exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel. It is conducive to accelerating the cross-border flow of personnel, promoting foreign exchanges and cooperation, and injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of the economy and society. Next, the National Immigration Administration will continue to advance the institutional opening up of the immigration management system, continuously optimize and improve the convenience policies for immigration entry and exit, and continuously improve the convenience for foreigners to study, work, and live in China, welcoming more foreign friends to come to China and personally experience the beauty of China in the new era.
Applicable Conditions
Citizens from 54 countries eligible for the visa-free transit policy:
European Countries (40): 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, Norway;
American Countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile;
Oceanian Countries (2): Australia, New Zealand;
Asian Countries (6): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
Holding a valid international travel document with a validity of no less than 3 months, meeting the entry conditions for a third country (region).
Holding a confirmed ticket with a seat and date for travel to a third country (region) within 240 hours, filling out a temporary entry card for foreigners, and undergoing inspection and inquiry by the entry-exit border inspection authorities.
Eligible foreigners can apply to the border inspection authorities at 60 ports in Beijing, Shanghai, and other places in China. The border inspection authorities will handle temporary entry procedures for them, with the visa-free stay starting from the next day after entry. Those who fall under the visa-free agreement with China or unilateral visa-free policy of China can follow their respective regulations.
Ports and Areas for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Compared with the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policy, the biggest feature of this policy adjustment is that it allows cross-regional travel, that is, transit visa-free foreigners can travel across provinces within the permitted stay activity areas of 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities)
If you're planning to visit or transit through the aforementioned areas and require assistance and services, you can opt for: local guides, airport transfers, China Traveling Photographer/Cameraman, and Local Guide with Luxury MPV.
Information translated from：National Immigration Administration of China
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