240-Hour
Visa-Free
Transit
China now allows citizens of 57 countries to enter without a visa for up to 10 days. No visa application, no embassy appointment. Just a connecting flight and a journey worth making.
Ten days in China, no visa required
China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy — updated and significantly expanded in December 2024 — allows eligible travellers to enter China without a visa for up to ten days, provided they are transiting to a third country or region.
The policy covers 24 provinces across mainland China, including all major cities. Unlike the old 144-hour restriction, you can now cross provincial boundaries freely — fly into Beijing and take the high-speed train to Xi’an, Chengdu or Shanghai, all within the same transit stay.
Open China Tours specialises in designing complete itineraries within the 240-hour window — handling transfers, hotels, guides and all logistics so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Note: The 240H policy is for transit travellers only. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region departing within 240 hours of arrival. Eligible nationals of countries with China’s 30-day visa-free agreement (such as France, Germany, Italy) may enter under that scheme instead.
Hold an ordinary passport from one of 57 eligible countries, including the US, UK, Canada, all EU states, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and UAE.
Must hold a confirmed ticket with assigned seat and departure time to a third country or region — not back to your country of departure.
Your 240-hour clock starts at midnight on the day after you arrive. Arrive Monday at 2pm — you must depart by midnight on Thursday of the following week.
Complete the Temporary Entry Card for Foreign Nationals on arrival. Now available online before departure via NIA’s official website.
Your passport must have at least 3 months of validity remaining at the time of entry into China.
Three complete programs
within 240 hours
Enquire Now →
- Great Wall at Mutianyu — private morning visit
- Forbidden City & Tian’anmen Square
- Temple of Heaven at dawn
- Summer Palace & Kunming Lake
- Hutong rickshaw & courtyard dinner
- Ming Tombs & Sacred Way
- The Bund at dusk & Pudong skyline
- Yu Garden & Old City
- French Concession & Tianzifang
- Suzhou Classical Gardens — UNESCO
- Hangzhou West Lake by private boat
- Zhujiajiao Water Town
- Giant Panda Base — private morning access
- Leshan Giant Buddha by river boat
- Mount Emei Golden Summit
- Jinli Ancient Street & Sichuan opera
- Sichuan hotpot dinner experience
- Dujiangyan Panda Sanctuary
What 10 days in China looks like
57 eligible countries
As of August 2026, citizens of the following 57 countries may enter China under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. If your country is not listed, contact us — China’s visa-free arrangements are expanding rapidly and alternative entry options may be available.
- United States
- Canada
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Chile
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Kyrgyzstan
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
Source: National Immigration Administration of China. Eligibility and permitted areas change regularly — we confirm the latest rules for your nationality and route before you book.
Visa assistance
The 240-hour policy applies only when you continue to a third country or region. If you are flying into China and back home — for example Chicago–Beijing–Chicago — you will usually need a tourist (L) visa. US citizens apply through China’s online visa system (COVA) and then submit their passport in person, or through someone acting on their behalf.
We can assist with your application, including guidance on completing the form and submitting it on your behalf. Visa decisions are made solely by the Chinese authorities, so approval cannot be guaranteed. Requirements change regularly — we confirm the current rules for your nationality when you enquire.
Ten days in China.
No visa required.
Tell us your travel dates, your connecting cities and what you want to experience. We’ll design a complete 240-hour itinerary — transfers, hotels, guides, tickets — and handle every detail.
Or write directly: info@openchinatours.com — we respond within 24 hours