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China's 240-hour transit visa-free policy is an important policy implemented to facilitate the entry and exit of foreigners and promote international exchanges and cooperation. Its specific implementation rules cover many aspects:
Applicable countries: 55 countries in total, including 40 European countries (such as Austria, Belgium, Russia, the United Kingdom, etc.), 6 American countries (such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, etc.), 2 Oceania countries (Australia, New Zealand), and 7 Asian countries (South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, etc.).
Applicable conditions: Citizens of relevant countries must hold valid international travel documents with a validity period of no less than 3 months; meet the entry conditions for traveling to a third country or region; hold a connecting ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat within 240 hours (including air tickets, ship tickets, train tickets, etc.), and fill out a temporary entry foreigner entry card and accept inquiries from the entry and exit border inspection authorities. The border inspection authorities will not issue temporary entry permits to persons whose passports and other travel documents are valid for less than 3 months, have a visa rejection stamp from the Chinese visa authority, have illegal entry and exit records within 5 years, and other bad records.
Visa-free stay period: Starting from 00:00 on the next day of entry, you can stay in the specified area for up to 240 hours (10 days). For example, if a passenger enters on January 1, 2025, the stay period will start from 00:00 on January 2, 2025, and you must leave the country from the specified port before 24:00 on January 11.
Applicable ports: 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities). Such as airport ports such as Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport; seaport ports such as Tianjin International Cruise Home Port, Shanghai Seaport Port (passenger transport), and Beihai Port Port (passenger transport); railway ports such as Beijing West Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Port. In addition to the 60 applicable ports, passengers entering from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and other places can also leave the country from all open ports in Guangdong Province.
Stay activity area: Covers 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. Most provinces have a stay area within the administrative area of the province, and some provinces have specific range restrictions, such as Taiyuan and Datong in Shanxi Province; Harbin in Heilongjiang Province; Nanchang and Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province. Transit visa-free passengers can travel across provinces within these areas.
Activities that can be engaged in: During the stay, you can engage in tourism, business, visits, family visits and other activities, but work, study, news interviews and other activities that require prior approval must still be approved by the visa.
Application process: Foreign passengers who meet the conditions shall apply to the port border inspection authority upon entry. Submit your valid international travel documents, a connecting ticket to a third country (region) with a confirmed date and seat within 240 hours. Some ports may also require a complete entry card and exit card (if necessary), hotel reservation confirmation, travel plan and other materials. The border inspection authority handles the transit procedures in accordance with the law. After review and approval, passengers can enter temporarily without a visa.