China's Transit Visa Policy

China’s Transit Visa Exemption Policy is Comprehensively Relaxed and Optimized

December 17, 2024 10:38:00

The National Immigration Administration today announced that starting from today, the transit visa exemption policy will be comprehensively relaxed and optimized. The stay period of transit visa-exempt foreigners in China will be extended from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). At the same time, 21 new ports will be added for entry and exit of transit visa-exempt personnel, and the stay and activity areas will be further expanded. Eligible citizens of 54 countries including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, who transit through China to a third country (region), can enter China visa-free through any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government), and stay and move around in the specified areas for no more than 240 hours.

The 21 newly added ports in this relaxation and optimization of the transit visa exemption policy include: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport Port in Shanxi, Sunan Shuofang and Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport Ports in Jiangsu, Wenzhou Longwan and Yiwu International Airport Ports in Zhejiang, Hefei Xinqiao and Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Ports in Anhui, Fuzhou Changle, Quanzhou Jinjiang and Wuyishan International Airport Ports in Fujian, Nanchang Changbei International Airport Port in Jiangxi, Jinan Yaoqiang, Yantai Penglai and Weihai Dashuipo International Airport Ports in Shandong, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport Port in Hunan, Nanning Wuxu and Beihai Fucheng International Airport Ports in Guangxi, Haikou Meilan and Sanya Phoenix International Airport Ports in Hainan, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Port in Sichuan, and Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport Port in Guizhou. The applicable open ports have increased from the original 39 to 60.

The 240-hour transit visa exemption policy after comprehensive relaxation and optimization further expands the stay and activity areas. The policy-applicable provinces have increased from the original 19 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government) including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shaanxi to 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government) by adding 5 provinces including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou. Among the newly added 5 provinces, the stay and activity areas for transit visa-exempt personnel in Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou are the whole province; in Shanxi Province, it is Taiyuan and Datong cities; in Jiangxi Province, it is Nanchang and Jingdezhen cities. The stay and activity areas in Fujian, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces have been expanded to the whole province, and the stay and activity area in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been expanded to the administrative areas of 12 cities including Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin. Foreigners entering China through the transit visa exemption policy can travel across provinces within the allowed stay and activity areas in the above 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government).

The relevant person in charge of the National Immigration Administration introduced that this relaxation and optimization of the transit visa exemption 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 impetus into high-quality economic and social development. Next, the National Immigration Administration will continue to promote the institutional opening up of immigration management, continuously optimize and improve the immigration entry and exit facilitation policies, and continuously improve the convenience for foreigners to study, work, and live in China. Welcome more foreign friends to come to China and experience the beauty of China in the new era. Application Conditions for 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Policy for Foreigners

Citizens of 54 applicable transit visa exemption policy countries:

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.

They need to hold their valid international travel documents with a validity period of not less than 3 months and meet the entry conditions of the third country (region).

They need to hold a connecting passenger ticket or relevant proof with a confirmed date and seat within 240 hours to the third country (region), fill in the Temporary Entry Application Form for Foreigners, and accept the inspection and inquiry of the entry and exit border inspection authorities.
Foreigners who meet the above conditions can apply to the border inspection authorities at 60 ports in Beijing, Shanghai and other places in China. The border inspection authorities will handle the temporary entry procedures for them. The visa-free stay period starts from 00:00 on the day after entry. For those who meet the visa exemption agreement signed with China or the unilateral visa exemption policy of China, the regulations shall prevail.

240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Policy - Applicable Ports and Stay and Activity Areas

Transit visa-exempt personnel can stay for 240 hours across provinces within the allowed stay and activity areas in 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government).

Original Link: https://www.nia.gov.cn/n897453/c1688948/content.html