The Rule in One Sentence
You may apply for 240-hour visa-free transit if you are a citizen of one of 55 eligible countries and travel from place A, through an approved port in mainland China, to a different country or region C within 240 hours.
Use the A-China-C Route Test
United States → Shanghai → Japan
Japan is a third country after the China stopover. The traveller must still satisfy the passport, port, ticket, timing and stay-area rules.
United States → Shanghai → United States
This is a return trip to the same country, not transit onward to a third country or region.
United Kingdom → Beijing → Hong Kong
The policy refers to a third country or region. Confirm the exact segments and approved port with your airline and border authorities.
United States → Tokyo → Shanghai → Osaka
The immediate place before and after mainland China is Japan, so adding an earlier US segment does not create a third-destination route.
55 Eligible Countries
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, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the United States.
Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
Australia and New Zealand.
What You Need at the Border
An eligible passport
Hold a valid international travel document with at least three months of validity.
A confirmed onward journey
Carry a ticket or other proof showing a fixed departure within 240 hours to a third country or region.
An approved entry port
Apply to border inspection at one of the 65 ports covered by the policy. Not every Chinese port can issue this temporary entry permission.
A compliant stay area
Remain inside the permitted regions linked to the policy. Cross-province travel is possible only within the officially allowed areas.
A clear accommodation plan
Prepare your hotel details. If you stay in a private home, accommodation registration is generally required within 24 hours.
A completed arrival card
Use the free official NIA online channel before travel or complete the process at the port.
How the 240 Hours Are Counted
Official NIA guidance says the visa-free stay period is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry. The immigration officer handles the temporary entry formalities and determines your permitted stay.
240-Hour Transit vs 24-Hour Direct Transit
| Policy | Who it covers | Leaving the port | Core route rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240-hour transit | 55 listed nationalities | Yes, after temporary entry approval, within the permitted area | Approved port plus onward travel to a third country or region within 240 hours |
| 24-hour direct transit | Travellers of all nationalities, subject to official conditions | Normally remain in the restricted transit area; leaving requires a temporary entry permit | International onward ticket through China within 24 hours |
| 30-day visa-free entry | 50 listed nationalities | Normal entry, subject to the policy | No third-destination route requirement for eligible short-stay purposes |
Check Your Passport Before Booking
The entry checker shows whether your nationality has 30-day visa-free entry, a transit option, a regional option, or normally needs a visa.
Open the Entry Policy CheckerFrequently Asked Questions
Can US citizens use the 240-hour policy?
Yes, the United States is on the 55-country list. The route still needs to continue to a third country or region through an approved port.
Can I visit Beijing and Shanghai on the same transit?
Not automatically. Your cities must be within the permitted stay areas connected to your entry and exit plan. Check the current official port-and-area table before booking travel between provinces.
Can I use separate airline tickets?
The official requirement is proof of confirmed onward travel with a specified departure date within 240 hours. Separate tickets can create airline and baggage complications, so obtain written confirmation from the airline and verify the itinerary with the NIA hotline before relying on them.
Is approval guaranteed if my route looks correct?
No. Border inspection makes the final decision after reviewing your passport, itinerary, documents and admissibility. Airlines may also perform their own checks before boarding.
Official Sources
Policy checked July 13, 2026. This independent planning guide does not guarantee admission.