China Upgrades 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 10-Day Stay, Adds 21 Ports

Posted by Written by Qian Zhou Reading Time: 4 minutes

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China has announced a major expansion and optimization of its visa-free transit policy, effective December 17, 2023. Under the upgraded policy, eligible foreign travelers transiting through China can now stay for up to 240 hours (10 days), a significant extension from the previous 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policy. In addition, 21 new ports have been added, increasing the total number of visa-free entry/exit points to 60 across 24 provinces.

This strategic adjustment reflects China’s commitment to facilitating international travel, enhancing foreign engagement, and supporting high-level economic openness.

Key highlights of China’s expanded visa-free transit policy

Extended stay duration

Eligible foreign travelers transiting through China can now enjoy a visa-free stay of up to 240 hours (10 days), allowing for more flexible itineraries and in-depth exploration of permitted regions.

Expanded entry and exit ports

An additional 21 ports have been added to China’s visa-free transit program, covering major international airports in regions such as Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, and Guizhou.

Key newly added ports include:

  • Shanxi: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport
  • Jiangsu: Wuxi Sunan Shuofang Airport, Yangzhou Taizhou Airport
  • Zhejiang: Wenzhou Longwan Airport, Yiwu International Airport
  • Fujian: Fuzhou Changle Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang, Wuyishan Airport
  • Hainan: Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport
  • Sichuan: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport

With these additions, the total number of eligible ports has expanded from 39 to 60.

Broader eligible regions

Foreign travelers under this program can now access 24 provinces across China, up from 19 previously. The newly added regions include Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou.

  • In Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou, travelers can explore the entire province.
  • In Shanxi, the permitted areas are limited to Taiyuan and Datong.
  • In Jiangxi, travelers can visit Nanchang and Jingdezhen.
  • The stay area in other regions like Fujian, Hubei, and Shaanxi has now expanded to cover the entire province.
  • Guangxi has extended access to 12 cities, including Nanning, Guilin, Beihai, and Liuzhou.

Notably, under this policy, visa-free travelers can cross provincial boundaries within the 24 eligible regions, offering greater flexibility for regional travel.

Scope of China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
No. Province (Region, City) Applicable port Area of stay
1 Beijing Beijing Capital International Airport Beijing
2 Beijing Daxing International Airport
3 Tianjin Tianjin Binhai International Airport Tianjin
4 Tianjin Seaport (Passenger)
5 Hebei Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport Hebei Province
Qinhuangdao Seaport (Passenger)
7 Liaoning Shenyang Taoxian International Airport Liaoning Province
8 Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
9 Dalian Seaport (Passenger)
10 Shanghai Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Shanghai
11 Shanghai Pudong International Airport
12 Shanghai Seaport (Passenger)
13 Jiangsu Nanjing Lukou International Airport Jiangsu Province
14 Sunan Shuofang International Airport
15 Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport
16 Lianyungang Seaport (Passenger)
17 Zhejiang Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Zhejiang Province
18 Ningbo Lishe International Airport
19 Wenzhou Longwan International Airport
20 Yiwu International Airport
21 Wenzhou Seaport (Passenger)
22 Zhoushan Seaport (Passenger)
23 Anhui Hefei Xinqiao International Airport Anhui Province
24 Huangshan Tunxi International Airport
25 Fujian Fuzhou Changle International Airport Fujian Province
26 Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
27 Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport
28 Wuyishan International Airport
29 Xiamen Seaport (Passenger)
30 Shandong Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport Shandong Province
31 Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport
32 Yantai Penglai International Airport
33 Weihai Dashuibo International Airport
34 Qingdao Seaport (Passenger)
35 Henan Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport Henan Province
36 Hubei Wuhan Tianhe International Airport Hubei Province
37 Hunan Changsha Huanghua International Airport Hunan Province
38 Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport
39 Guangdong Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Guangdong Province
(can exit through any of Guang Dong’s international airport
40 Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
41 Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
42 Nansha Seaport (Passenger)
43 Shekou Seaport (Passenger)
44 Hainan Haikou Meilan International Airport Hainan Province
45 Sanya Phoenix International Airport
46 Chongqing Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Chongqing City
47 Guizhou Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport Guizhou Province
48 Shaanxi Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Shaanxi Province
49 Shanxi Taiyuan Wusu International Airport Taiyuan, Datong
50 Heilongjiang Harbin Taiping International Airport Harbin
51 Jiangxi Nanchang Changbei International Airport Nanchang, Jingdezhen 
52 Guangxi Nanning Wuxu International Airport 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin
53 Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
54 Beihai Fucheng Airport
55 Beihai Seaport (Passenger)
56 Sichuan Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport 11 cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Suining, Leshan, Deyang, Neijiang, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, and Ziyang.
57 Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
58 Yunnan Kunming Changshui International Airport 9 cities: Kunming, Chuxiong, Yuxi, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang.
59 Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
60 Mohan Railway Port

*Bolded are newly added ports, provinces, or areas of stay.

Eligibility criteria for China’s visa-free transit

To qualify for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travelers must meet the following requirements:

Eligible nationalities

Citizens from 54 countries can benefit from this policy:

    • Europe (40 countries): Including the UK, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
    • Americas (6 countries): Including the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico.
    • Oceania (2 countries): Australia and New Zealand.
    • Asia (6 countries): Including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the UAE.

Travel documentation

The travelers must:

    • Hold a valid passport with at least 3 months’ validity.
    • Have a confirmed onward ticket (with a specific date and seat) to a third country or region within 240 hours.

Application process

Travelers must:

    • Complete the Temporary Entry Foreigners Card upon arrival.
    • Pass the border inspection at one of the designated 60 ports.
    • Comply with the approved stay region and duration.

A strategic move for high-level openness

The NIA stated that this policy expansion aligns with the goals outlined at China’s Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC), focusing on facilitating the cross-border movement of people, boosting international exchange and cooperation, and driving high-quality economic growth.

By extending the duration of stay, increasing the number of ports, and expanding travel regions, China aims to enhance its attractiveness as a destination for business, tourism, and cultural exchange. This policy serves as an invitation for foreign travelers to experience China’s economic dynamism, cultural richness, and natural beauty firsthand.

Looking ahead, the NIA emphasized its commitment to further optimizing immigration policies to enhance the convenience of living, working, and studying in China for foreign nationals.

Read more:

A Complete Guide to China’s Visa-Free Policies