Guangzhou Visa-Free Transit & Visa on Arrival Policies (2026 Guide)

Written by Natalia | Updated September 02,2025

Guangzhou is the “south gate” of China and the core hub of the Pearl River Delta (or even the Greater Bay Area). Relying on the Baiyun International Airport (ranking top ten in global passenger flow) and the developed land and sea transportation network, Guangzhou serves as a major gateway for inbound tourism. Meanwhile, its advantageous location adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau also attracts a large number of international tourists to transit through Guangzhou and embark fantastic China tours. This article will introduce the overall situation of 2026 Guangzhou’s visa policies, especially Guangzhou visa free transit. More real-time updates can be found through the “China Consular Affairs”.

Content Preview

• Do I Need a Visa for Guangzhou in 2026?
• Guangzhou Airport Visa-Free Transit & Layover Visas
• Guangzhou 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• Guangzhou 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• Guangzhou 144-Hour and 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies
• Guangdong 6-Day Visa Free for Tourist Groups From Hong Kong and Macau
• 15-Day Visa-Free for Tourist Groups Traveling by Cruise Ships
• Mutual 30-Day Visa-Free Policy
• Unilateral 30-Day Visa-Free Policy
• Guangzhou Visa on Arrival (VOA)
• FAQs About Guangzhou Visa-Free Policies
• Plan Your Guangzhou Tour with ChinaXianTour

Do I Need a Visa for Guangzhou in 2026?

The visa policies for traveling to Guangzhou, China mainly include: country-specific mutual/unilateral 30-day visa exemption, 24-hour/240-hour visa-free transit, regional visa exemption entry, visa on arrival (VOA), and regular tourist visa (L Visa). Read on to learn more details of and differences between these entry options, and who can travel to Guangzhou visa free.

Guangzhou Airport Visa-Free Transit & Layover Visas

Foreign nationals who transit through Guangzhou, China to a third country (region) need to apply for a Guangzhou transit visa/ stopover visa for a layover in the city.

Guangzhou Baiyun Airport implements a 24-hour visa-free transit policy for people from all over the world, but they are not allowed to leave the airport. The 240-hour Guangzhou visa free transit policy is applicable to nationals of 55 countries, allowing them to travel across 24 provinces and regions within the permitted areas.

Related reading: Shenzhen Layover Guide 2025/2026

Guangzhou 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

All open exit-entry ports in China, including Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, implement this 24-hour visa-free transit policy for nationals of all other countries around the world. Foreigners transiting through China to third countries or regions may stay in China for no more than 24 hours without a visa, provided that they hold valid international travel documents and onward international flight tickets with confirmed seats, and will not leave the port (Guangzhou Baiyun Airport) restricted areas.

Who Qualifies for 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangzhou?

Nationals of all other countries who: 1. transit through Guangzhou, China to third countries or regions; 2. hold valid international travel documents and onward international flight tickets with confirmed seats

What You Can (and Can’t) Do During a 24-Hour Layover?

You can briefly stay and conduct necessary activities within the port – Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, then take international flight for transit.

You can’t leave Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, can’t engage in activities that require prior approval, such as work, study, or news interviews, and can’t stay for more than 24 hours.

Those who does need to leave the port (e.g. going to urban Guangzhou) must apply for a temporary entry permit at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Exit-Entry Border Inspection Authority.

Guangzhou Layover Itineraries for 24-hour Visa-free Transit

During this Guangzhou visa free period, you can explore city highlights within 24 hours such as Canton Tower, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island, Yuexiu Park, etc.

As the time is relatively limited, it is highly recommended to customize your layover tour with Chinaxiantour totally based on your schedule and interests. The following tours are sample itineraries for your inspiration:

• 3 Days Guangzhou Historical and City Highlights Tour
• 3 Days Best Guangzhou Food Tour with Cultural Highlights

Guangzhou 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Currently, China is implementing 240-hour visa-free transit policy for nationals of 55 countries. Nationals of these countries, who need to transit through China to third countries or regions, may enter visa-free through any of the designated 60 open exit-entry ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and stay in the permitted areas for no more than 10 days, provided that they hold valid international travel documents and onward tickets with confirmed seats and departure dates.

Foreign nationals covered by this policy may, within the designated areas, engage in activities like travel activities, business activities, visits, family reunions, etc., during their stay periods. Exits are available at all open ports across the Guangdong Province.

Latest Policy Updates in 2026

On June 12, 2026, the National Immigration Administration announced that nationals of Indonesia can enjoy the 240-hour visa-free transit policy to conveniently travel to China. This expanded the list of eligible countries to 55.

Eligible Nationalities and Travel Routes

Nationals of 55 eligible countries including Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States who transit through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport can stay and travel cross provinces within designated areas covering 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities).

Benefits of the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

This policy has driven a significant increase in foreign tourists coming to China, and also contributed to the continuous popularity of inbound tourism. Especially, extending the duration to 240 hours and allowing cross-provincial travel enable foreign tourists to have more time and travel to China’s more places.

How to Spend 240 Hours (10 Days) in Guangzhou?

This favorable Guangzhou visa-free transit policy allows you to fully experience the diverse charm of Guangdong within just 10 days. Tour Guangzhou (the birthplace of Cantonese culture), Foshan (traditional and martial arts), Shunde (food paradise), Zhuhai (coastal style), Shenzhen (modern metropolis), Chaoshan (ancient villages and gourmet)… You can also extend your Guangzhou tour by travelling to other popular tourist destinations in China.

Popular Guangzhou Tours

• 5 Days Chaoshan Root-Seeking and Ancestral Exploration Tour
• 8 Days Guangzhou Canton In-depth Tour
• 9 Days Guangzhou Guilin Shenzhen Hong Kong Tour

Guangzhou 144-Hour and 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies

Foreign tourists’ China Travel continues to heat up. On December 17, 2024, China announced that the original 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit would be extended to 240 hours (10 days). That is to say the former shorter visa free policies have been continuously relaxed and optimized, making it easier for foreign tourists to visit China and experience the rich and colorful China.

Guangdong 6-Day Visa Free for Tourist Groups From Hong Kong and Macau

Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports from countries with diplomatic relations with China may enter nine cities in the Greater Bay Area, as well as Shantou, without a visa, provided that they will enter Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) first and then enter Guangdong Province as part of a tourist group organized by a travel agency registered in any of the two SARs.

The foreign tourists in this case can stay for a maximum of 6 days in the 10 Guangdong cities. And they shall enter and exit the Chinese mainland as part of their tourist group via any of the open ports in these 10 cities.

Who Are Eligible?

Any nationals of the 183 countries that have established diplomatic relations with China.

How to Make Use of This Policy?

The activity area covers Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Shantou (10 cities in Guangdong Province). The duration of stay shall not exceed 6 days (144 hours). Foreign tourists benefiting from this special Guangzhou visa free policy can fully enjoy the magnificent scenery, historical culture, and unique delicacies of southern China.

Recommended Guangzhou Tours

• 4 Days Classic Hong Kong and Guangzhou Tour
• 6 Days Hong Kong-Guangzhou-Macau Cultural Tour

15-Day Visa-Free for Tourist Groups Traveling by Cruise Ships

Starting from May 15, 2024, any foreign tourist group consisting of two individuals or more arriving on a cruise ship for a trip organized and handled by a Chinese travel agency may enter as a whole into China without visas at cruise ports located in 13 cities, including Guangzhou Nansha Port (Passenger), and stay for no more than 15 days. The tourist groups must continue their journey to the next scheduled port and depart from China by the same cruise ship as scheduled. And they are permitted to travel within the coastal provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and Beijing.

Mutual 30-Day Visa-Free Policy

As of July 15, 2025, China has reached bilateral visa-free agreements for ordinary passports with 29 countries. Nationals of these countries can travel to China visa-free with their valid passports. And they are generally allowed to stay for no more than 30 days upon entry. Guangzhou is also eligible for this visa free policy.

Unilateral 30-Day Visa-Free Policy

According to the official information released as of June 9, 2025, nationals of 47 countries, namely Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain, holding valid ordinary passports are exempted from visa requirement if coming to China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit.

They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without visa. Guangzhou is eligible to this policy, too. You can fully utilize this Guangzhou visa free policy if you’re from these 47 counties and plan to travel to Guangzhou.

Guangzhou Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Visa on Arrival (VOA), also called port visas, refer to a way or method to apply for Chinese visas. Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports, who have urgent needs to enter China but do not have enough time to apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad, can apply for port visas for entry. For foreign tourist groups applying for port visas, the Chinese travel agencies responsible for the reception should apply for them in advance at the port visa authorities.

Purpose of Urgent Entry

Specific urgent situations such as business cooperation, visits and exchanges, investment and entrepreneurship, visiting relatives and handling private affairs, etc., or for humanitarian reasons such as attending funerals, seeking medical treatment or visiting critically ill patients.

Eligible Ports of Entry

As of now, VOA services have been provided at 99 ports in 73 cities nationwide with a large number of international flights and a high volume of foreign nationals entering China, such as Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, Kunming Changshui International Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, etc., as well as some land ports such as Dalian Port and Qingdao Port.

Who Can Apply?

Nationals of the following countries can apply for a Guangzhou Visa on Arrival under corresponding conditions:

• Asia: Azerbaijan,Bahrain, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Jordan, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.
• Africa: Egypt, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Rwanda, Madagascar, Mauritania, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia
• Europe: Cyprus (only in urgent humanitarian situations, such as close relatives of suddenly deceased individuals)
• Americas: Bolivia
• Oceania: Cook, Palau, Vanuatu

Required Documents

Valid passport or any other international travel document, along with relevant supporting documents that evidence the urgent reason(s) for your entry into China.

Application at Guangzhou Airport

At present, VOA services can be processed 24 hours a day at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport port, with a stay period not exceeding 30 days.

1. Collect and fill in the port visa application form at the airport service counter.
2. After submitting the application material, wait for the staff to call (usually takes 30 minutes to 2-3 hours).
3. Wait for material review, which usually takes a few tens of minutes to approve.
4. Fill in the Entry and Exit Card and keep it safe.

The application fee varies depending on the nationality, ranging from free to several hundred yuan.

Related reading: How to Apply Shenzhen Visa on Arrival

FAQs About Guangzhou Visa-Free Policies

Do These Policies Permit Travel Outside Guangzhou? If So, to Which Areas?

China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy permits foreign tourists to travel across provinces within the designated areas in 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities).

The permitted areas are Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi (12 cities including Guilin), Chongqing, Sichuan (11 cities including Chengdu), Yunnan, Shaanxi, Shanxi (Taiyuan, Datong), Anhui, Jiangxi (Nanchang, Jingdezhen), Hainan, and Guizhou.

What Is the Maximum Allowed Stay Under Guangzhou’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies?

The maximum duration of stay allowed under this Guangzhou visa free policy is 240 hours (10 days). The duration of stay for each foreign national starts from 0:00 on the day following the day of entry.

What Documents Must I Present to Use Visa-Free Transit?

Required materials include:

• Passport with a validity period of no less than 3 months;
• Onward ticket with confirmed seats and departure dates for transit via China to third countries or regions within240 hours.

Do I Need to Declare to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate Abroad Before Travel?

Foreigners who meet the requirements can enjoy the visa-free policies for entering China and do not need to make prior declarations to the Chinese embassies or consulates abroad.

Are There Any Special Requirements for Minors Applying for the Visa-Free Policies to Enter China?

The conditions for minors to enjoy visa-free entry to China are the same as those for adults.

Plan Your Guangzhou Tour with ChinaXianTour

Welcome to join Chinaxiantour’s well-organized Guangzhou tour group to deeply experience the historical culture, natural wonder, urban shopping, and delicious foods of Guangdong and even the whole of China!