Visa-free transit checker

Can you transit China visa-free? Check in 10 seconds.

China's unified visa-free transit lets 55 nationalities stay up to 240 hours (10 days) while passing through to a third country — via 65 ports across 24 regions. Tell us your nationality and where you land; we'll tell you if you qualify, what's off limits, and what to confirm officially.

Data last verified 2026-06-12. This is not the 30-day visa-free entry — that is a separate policy.

Two different policies — don't mix them up. This tool checks the visa-free transit scheme (up to 240 hours / 10 days, for travelers passing through China to a third country). It is not the separate 30-day ordinary visa-free entry. This checker covers the visa-free TRANSIT scheme only. The 30-day ordinary visa-free entry, the Hainan 30-day policy, and ASEAN/cruise group policies are separate regimes with their own country lists — confirm those directly on the official site.
Are you flying onward to a third country/region (not back where you came from) within 240 hours?

Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan count as separate destinations here.

Always verify before you travel. Visa policy changes; this tool is a planning aid, not legal advice. Confirm your exact eligibility, ports and stay areas on the official China National Immigration Administration site, or with a Chinese embassy/consulate, before booking. Data last verified 2026-06-12. Read the full transit guide →

Regions NOT in the transit scheme (need a full visa)

These provinces/regions are not covered by visa-free transit at all. Entering them on transit is a violation.

  • Tibet (Xizang) — Requires a full visa AND a Tibet Travel Permit via a registered agency; independent travel is not possible.
  • Xinjiang
  • Qinghai
  • Gansu — Includes Dunhuang / Mogao Caves, Jiayuguan, Zhangye Danxia — all off limits on transit.
  • Ningxia
  • Inner Mongolia
  • Jilin

Common transit questions

▸Is the China visa-free transit the same as the 30-day visa-free entry?

No — they are two different policies. Visa-free transit (up to 240 hours / 10 days) is only for travelers passing through China to a third country, with restricted entry ports and stay areas. The 30-day visa-free entry is a separate regime for many nationalities (currently until 31 Dec 2026) with no third-country requirement and no regional restriction beyond the usual permit areas. If you are on the 30-day list, the transit restrictions on this page do not apply to you.

▸When does my 240-hour clock start?

At 00:00 on the day after you land. Land at 9am on Tuesday and your 240 hours start at midnight going into Wednesday — so you effectively get your arrival evening plus ten days.

▸Does Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan count as a third country/region?

Yes, for this policy they count as separate destinations. So USA → Beijing → Hong Kong qualifies as a valid A → China → B transit.

▸Can I enter at one port and leave from another?

Yes. You can fly into Shanghai, travel within the permitted regions, and fly out of Chengdu, as long as both are designated ports and you stay inside the permitted areas.

▸Can I visit Jiuzhaigou, Tibet or Dunhuang on visa-free transit?

No. Jiuzhaigou (Aba prefecture) is outside Sichuan’s permitted city list; Tibet, Gansu (Dunhuang), Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia and Jilin are not in the transit scheme at all. These need a full visa (Tibet additionally needs a Tibet Travel Permit via a registered agency).

▸What if my country is not on the 55-country transit list?

Then you are not eligible for visa-free transit on your passport alone. You may still qualify for the separate 30-day ordinary visa-free entry (a different country list), or you may need to apply for a visa before you fly. Always confirm on the official National Immigration Administration site.