China’s 24-hour visa-free transit is a policy that allows eligible international travelers to transit through China on their way to a third country or region without obtaining a Chinese visa in advance. In principle, it is available to travelers from all countries and regions worldwide who stay in China for no more than 24 hours during their transit.
To qualify, you generally need a valid international travel document and a confirmed onward ticket (flight, ship, or train) to a third country or region within 24 hours; you may qualify for this transit exemption.
For example, an eligible third-country transit route should be like: London → Beijing → Tokyo
London → Beijing → London does not qualify as transit to a third country.
This article will explain how China’s 24-hour visa-free transit works, including who can use it, which routes are eligible, required documents, and how it differs from the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
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- Who Is Eligible?
- What Is an Eligible Transit Route?
- What Are the Required Documents?
- How to Apply?
- 24-Hour vs 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- FAQs
- Travel to China with China Xian Tour
Who Is Eligible for China’s 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
China’s 24-hour visa-free transit is for international travelers passing through China on their way to a third country or region. In principle, travelers from all countries and regions worldwide may be able to use this policy if they meet the required conditions.
To qualify, passengers need to:
- Hold a valid passport or other international travel document;
- Travel through China by international flight, ship, or train;
- Have a confirmed onward ticket with a specified date and seat;
- Continue your journey from China to a third country or region;
- Stay in China for no more than 24 hours.
If you remain inside the designated international transit area of the airport or port, there is generally no need for you to apply for a temporary entry permit.
However, if you plan to leave the airport and take a brief exploration of China during this short layover, a temporary entry permit is required.
Who May Be Refused a Temporary Entry Permit?
According to China’s immigration regulations, a temporary entry permit may be refused in certain circumstances:
- The traveler is not allowed to enter China under Chinese laws or administrative regulations;
- The passport or other international travel document is valid for less than 3 months, or contains a refusal stamp from a Chinese visa authority;
- The traveler has records of illegal entry, illegal stay, or illegal employment in China within the past 5 years;
- The traveler has serious accommodation registration violations within the past 2 years.
The final decision on whether to issue a temporary entry permit is made by the border inspection authority at the port of entry.
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What Is an Eligible Transit Route?
Generally, the eligible route for a China 24-hour visa-free transit should be Country or Region A – China – Country or Region C.
That is to say, A and C should be two different destinations. For instance, if you travel from France, have a transit in China, and then head to the United States, then this will be an eligible route for the 24-hour visa-free transit policy.
Some connecting itineraries with two stops in Chinese Mainland may also qualify for the 24-hour visa-free transit policy. For example:
Paris → Guangzhou → Shanghai → Tokyo
However, your total transit time within China must be no more than 24 hours. Besides, all flight segments and ports of entry must meet the actual transit requirements.
If your itinerary includes multiple transfers within China, it is recommended to check the details with the airline before booking, as transfer procedures may vary depending on the airport.
Route |
Eligible? |
Why? |
USA → Beijing → Japan |
Yes |
Country A and Country C are different. |
UK → Shanghai → Hong Kong |
Yes |
Hong Kong qualifies as a third region for transit purposes. |
Australia → Guangzhou → Macau |
Yes |
Macau qualifies as a third region for transit purposes. |
France → Shanghai → France |
No |
The onward destination is not a third country or region. |
Japan → Shanghai → South Korea |
Yes |
Country A and Country C are different. |
USA → Beijing → Shanghai → Japan |
Potentially |
Must meet the 24-hour total transit limit and the requirements of the relevant ports. |
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What Are the Required Documents?
Foreign nationals applying for a 24-hour visa-free transit in China must submit:
- A valid passport (including diplomatic and ordinary passports) or other international travel documents
- An onward connecting ticket (air, train, cruise), and details such as seat and date must be confirmed
- Other required materials such as a visa for other countries/regions
How to Apply for a 24-Hour Visa-Free Entry Permit?
Transferring without leaving the airport: If your baggage is already checked through to your final destination and the transfer airport allows direct international-to-international transit, then you usually only need to follow the international transfer signs and proceed to your next flight.
At some designated airports, eligible transit passengers may also be exempt from border inspection procedures.
If you are leaving the airport, please follow these steps:
- Step 1:Prepare the above-mentioned required documents.
- Step 2: Complete an arrival/departure card at the border inspection counter.
- Step 3: Get the temporary entry permit stamp or sticker on your passport.
- Step 4: Go to claim your luggage if you have any, and go through customs.
Differences Between 24-Hour and 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China
In addition to the 24-hour visa-free transit, China also has 240-hour visa-free transit policies, and below are the differences between them.
Item |
24-Hour Visa-Free Transit |
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit |
Eligible Nationalities |
In principle, all nationalities |
57 eligible nationalities |
Maximum Stay |
24 hours |
240 hours / 10 days |
Available Ports |
All open exit-entry ports |
65 designated ports |
Entry Requirement |
Port transit; temporary entry permit required to leave the restricted area |
Designated areas in 24 provincial-level regions |
Transport |
International flight, ship, or train |
Eligible international transport through designated ports |
Third-Country Transit |
Yes |
Yes |
Can You Leave the Transit Area? |
Only with an approved temporary entry permit |
Yes, within the permitted area |
Best For |
Short international connections |
Stopovers and short China trips |
If you would like to stay in China for a longer period, please check whether your condition qualifies for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy or other applicable visa-free entry policies.
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FAQs about China’s 24-hour Visa-free Transit Policy
Q1: How are the 24 hours calculated?
The 24-hour visa-free transit only permits you to stay for a maximum of 24 hours in total during the entire transit. The 24-hour stay period is calculated from 00:00 on the day following your entry into China.
When booking your tickets, make sure your itinerary meets this 24-hour limit.
However, sometimes you may unavoidably encounter situations like flight delays, transferring between different airports, or your itinerary includes multiple domestic segments within China.
In these cases, we recommend that you confirm the requirements with your airline or the border inspection authority at the entry port in advance.
Q2: Do I still need to go through immigration inspection procedures?
Currently, eligible passengers who make a direct international-to-international transfer without leaving the airport may be exempt from border inspection procedures at some major international airports.
The first 9 airports introduced this measure in 2024, and another 10 airports were added in November 2025, bringing the total number of participating airports to 19. Airports include Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
However, it is important to note that even if you get “exemption from border inspection procedures,” it does not mean “you can enter the city directly”. If you plan to leave the designated airport area, you still need to apply for a temporary entry permit.
Q3. Can I leave the airport during my 24-hour visa-free transit in China?
If you need to leave the designated port area, you must apply for a temporary entry permit from the immigration inspection authority.
More specifically, the following materials are required: first, a valid international travel document; second, a confirmed connecting ticket for travel within 24 hours to a third country or region, along with a completed temporary entry card.
After getting a temporary entry permit, you can plan to visit the city during your layover. Before heading out, however, check your onward departure time and work backward to determine when you need to return to the airport.
You should consider the following factors:
- How far the airport is from the city center;
- Whether you will travel during rush hours;
- Whether you need to recheck your luggage;
- How early you need to complete check-in procedures for your international flight;
- Whether you need to transfer between different airports;
- Whether your trip falls during Chinese public holidays or peak travel seasons.
Be mindful that airports such as Shanghai Pudong Airport, Beijing Daxing Airport, and Chengdu Tianfu Airport are not particularly close to the main city areas. If you only have a few hours between flights, it is not recommended to visit the downtown.
Q4: How much does the 24-hour visa-free transit cost?
It’s totally free. Since it’s not technically a visa but a 24-hour visa-free transit, it won’t cost you anything.
Q5. Can I apply for the 24-hour visa-free transit if I fly from the US to China and have a flight ticket to Hong Kong or Macau within 24 hours?
Yes, you can. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan can all serve as the third region in your transit route. If you have confirmed tickets showing your connecting flights travel from the US– Chinese Mainland– Hong Kong/Macau, this route meets the third-country/region transit requirement for the 24-hour visa-free transit policy.
Q6: Is a Temporary Entry Permit Guaranteed?
No. The 24-hour visa-free transit policy does not guarantee that all travelers are automatically allowed to leave the airport.
Q7: What If I Need to Transfer Between Different Airports in the Same City?
This does happen sometimes, and you may face transfers such as PVG → SHA (Shanghai) or PEK → PKX (Beijing).
Since transferring between two airports requires you to leave the international transit area, you need to obtain a temporary entry permit and allow enough time for immigration procedures, baggage collection, and ground transportation.
Travel to China with China Xian Tour
In recent years, China has introduced plenty of visa-free policies to make it more convenient for international travelers to explore this vast country. If you are considering a China tour, China Xian Tour can help you customize a perfect itinerary.
Our professional guides will take you to fully explore all your favorite attractions and take care of everything throughout the journey. With us handling your visa, transportation, and ticket booking, you can enjoy a smooth and pleasant trip.
