China visa-free transit or China transit visa waiver is a good opportunity to visit China without the hassle of applying for a full visa. But the problem is finding accurate, reliable and up-to-date information on how to gain visa-free transit to China and who is eligible for the transit visa in China. So, to help tourists wishing to visit China by taking advantage of the transit visa waiver or the official name Temporary Entry Permit, we made a summary of all information from government webpages and put them together here.
For visitors to Hainan Island only, please refer to Hainan 30-day visa waiver policy for 59 countries.
Based in Hainan China as a local tour operator and agency, we have put all information about China 240-Transit visa into one page: complete and clear.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Passengers travelling with passports from the following countries are eligible for 240-hour China Transit Visa Waiver:
Step 2: Book the right international flights
The China Transit Visa is designed for international travelers who are transiting through China. To obtain this visa, you must arrive in China from one country (either your home country or another) and depart for a different country. For example, you cannot book a flight arriving in China from the U.S. and then depart for the U.S. again. However, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are considered separate countries/regions for this purpose.
Step 3: What documents to prepare for a 240-China transit visa?
Passport (must be valid for more than 3 months)
Your return flight (Confirmed flight to another country different from your arrival country or region, please print out your bookings)
Arrival Card (which you get on your arrival flight or arrival airport)
Step 4: Where to apply China Transit Visa
Visitors can apply at 60 airports/ seaports/train stations. Please see the list below:
The 240-hour clock begins at midnight the day after you arrive in China. That means that if your plane arrives at 10 am on Wednesday, your 144-hour transit visa clock begins at midnight on Thursday morning, and you can stay until Tuesday 12 midnight, soa total of 10 days in China with your 240-hour transit visa.
Where Can I Go with a 240-Hour Transit Visa in China?
With a 240-hour transit visa, visitors can travel freely within most of China, except for the following provinces:
In Yunnan Province, visitors may explore:
In Jiangxi Province, visitors can go to:
In Guangxi, the following cities are accessible:
In Heilongjiang, visitors are limited to Harbin
In Sichuan Province, travelers can visit:
In Shanxi Province, visitors may explore Taiyuan and Datong
Step 5: How to apply upon arrival at the Airport:
After arrival at the Airport together with other passengers who already have their visa ready, you will find signs on the walls or floors for the China Temporary Entry Permit Application, where you will fill up a form and present your documents. From the following card, you should know what information to prepare:
Provided all information is accurate and complete, you can receive your Temporary Entry Permit, also known as the China Transit Visa, in approximately 5 to 10 minutes..
So with the above information, we believe you have all the details about the China Transit Visa or Temporary Entry Permit as per the government sources.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding the China 240-hour transit visa:
How much does it cost to apply? It is free, no cost involved.
Can I apply in advance somewhere or online? So far, we don’t have any information on this.
Can I use a China Transit Visa multiple times within a year?
Yes, you can! I have confirmation from multiple travelers who have taken advantage of visa-free transit multiple times in a year.
If you are not sure about your selected international flights, please leave us a message here or email us: holiday@sunnyhainan.com
Updates on China Visa-Free Transit Guide | 240-Hour China Transit Visa Free | China Transit Visa Waiver | China’s Temporary Entry Permit | Beijing Airport Transit Visa | Shanghai Airport Transit Visa | Guangzhou Airport Transit Visa
