Question 1

What is the 240-hour visa-free transit in China?

Accepted Answer

The 240-hour visa-free transit lets eligible travelers stay in China for up to 10 days without a visa when connecting through a designated port on the way to a third country or region. • It covers 240 hours (10 days) counted from your entry timestamp. • You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a country or region other than where you arrived from. • It applies at major hubs including Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu airports. • ChinaGem Travel checks your routing for free so the stop qualifies before you book.

Question 2

Which nationalities are eligible for China's visa-free transit?

Accepted Answer

China's visa-free transit is open to passport holders of around 50+ countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, most EU states, and many Asian and Latin American nations.• Eligibility follows the same country list used for the older 72/144-hour rules, now extended.• Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond entry.• Some nationalities also qualify for separate mutual visa-free agreements of 15–30 days.• ChinaGem Travel confirms your nationality against the current list when you inquire.

Question 3

Can I use the 240-hour transit visa to visit both Shanghai and Chengdu?

Accepted Answer

Yes—under the 240-hour policy you can travel between approved regions, so a Shanghai entry followed by a Chengdu visit in the same stay is allowed as long as you exit to a third country or region.• The permit is regional, not city-locked, across participating provinces.• You still need an onward international flight or train out of the zone.• Internal flights or high-speed trains between Shanghai and Chengdu are fine.• ChinaGem Travel designs Shanghai–Chengdu stopovers that stay inside the allowed area.

Question 4

What documents do I need for visa-free transit at Shanghai Pudong airport?

Accepted Answer

For visa-free transit at Shanghai Pudong you need a passport valid 3+ months, a confirmed onward ticket leaving China, and a completed arrival card—no visa is required in advance.• Show your passport and onward boarding pass or train confirmation at the transit counter.• Have your China hotel address ready for the arrival form.• Keep a printed or screenshotted copy of your exit itinerary.• ChinaGem Travel sends guests a one-page document checklist before they fly.

Question 5

Do I need a tourist visa to visit China in 2025/2026?

Accepted Answer

Most tourists still need a visa, but many can now enter visa-free for short stays either through the 240-hour transit rule or one of China's expanding mutual visa-free agreements.• Check whether your country has a standing visa-free deal (e.g., 15–30 days for several European states).• The 240-hour transit option covers longer multi-city trips if you continue onward.• A standard tourist (L) visa from a Chinese embassy remains the safe default for open-ended trips.• ChinaGem Travel tells you the cheapest valid route—visa or visa-free—for your dates.

Question 6

What are the allowed ports of entry for the 240-hour transit policy?

Accepted Answer

The 240-hour transit policy is honored at dozens of ports, including Shanghai (Pudong and Hongqiao), Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and major airports plus selected cruise and land borders.• Airports in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Hangzhou all qualify.• Some railway stations and cruise terminals are included too.• Entry and exit do not have to be the same port.• ChinaGem Travel picks an entry port that matches your tour start city.

Question 7

How many days can I stay under the 10-day visa-free transit?

Accepted Answer

Under the 10-day visa-free transit you can stay a maximum of 240 hours, which is exactly 10 days counted from your scheduled entry time.• The clock starts at the approved entry timestamp, not at midnight.• Leaving on day 10 before that timestamp keeps you compliant.• Overstaying by even a few hours can mean a fine, so plan buffer.• ChinaGem Travel builds a one-day cushion into every transit itinerary.

Question 8

Is the 240-hour transit policy the same as the old 72/144-hour rule?

Accepted Answer

The 240-hour policy is the expanded replacement for the older 72- and 144-hour transit rules, giving travelers roughly 4–10x more time and many more eligible ports.• It raised the limit from 72/144 hours to a flat 240 hours.• It added more cities and inland regions to the allowed zone.• Older permits issued under the 144-hour rule stay valid until they expire.• ChinaGem Travel explains which rule applies to your existing permit.

Blog

Contact Us

Frequently asked questions