1. What Exactly Is the 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption?

Starting from December 17, 2024, the stay period for transit visa-exempt foreigners within the country has been extended from the original 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). They can now enjoy a 10-day tour of China! Meanwhile, 21 additional ports of entry and exit for transit visa-exempt personnel have been added, and the areas where they can stay and conduct activities have been further expanded.

This means that now, personnel from the 55 eligible countries who transit through China to a third country (region) can enter visa-free from any of the 60 open ports of entry in 24 provinces (regions, municipalities) and stay and conduct activities in the specified areas for no more than 240 hours. The 240-hour transit visa exemption, as the name suggests, is a type of transit visa exemption policy.

Compared with the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption policies, the most significant feature of this policy adjustment is that it allows cross-regional travel. That is to say, transit visa-exempt foreigners can travel across provincial domains within the areas where they are permitted to stay and conduct activities in the 24 provinces (regions, municipalities).

2. Which 55 countries' citizens are eligible for the 240-hour transit visa exemption?

Europe (40 countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.

Americas (6 countries): the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand.

Asia (7 countries): Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia.

Among these 55 countries, there are quite a few that have already been included in the scope of mutual visa exemption or unilateral visa-free policies with our country. These countries can directly enter under the mutual or unilateral visa-free policies, with a visa-free period of 30 days, which is more lenient in terms of time. For dettails, please visit: https://charmission.cn/news/159.html

3. What Are the Eligible Conditions for Foreigners to Apply for the 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Policy?

Firstly, the applicant must be a citizen of one of the 54 countries eligible for the transit visa exemption policy;

secondly, they must hold a valid international travel document in their own name with a validity period of no less than three months, and meet the entry requirements for the third country (region);

thirdly, they must hold a connecting ticket or relevant proof for travel to a third country (region) with a confirmed date and seat within 240 hours, fill in the Temporary Entry Foreigner's Entry Card, and be subject to inspection and inquiry by the immigration authorities.

4. How is the 240-hour transit visa exemption period calculated? Does the day I arrive in China count towards it?

The 240-hour transit visa-free stay period for foreigners is calculated starting from 00:00 of the day following their entry. For example, if a passenger enters China on December 18, 2024, the stay period begins at 00:00 on December 19, 2024, and they can stay in the visa-free area for up to 10 days, meaning they must depart before 24:00 on December 28, 2024.

Note: If force majeure or other reasons require staying in the visa-free area for more than 240 hours, the foreigner should apply for the corresponding stay permit from the exit-entry administration of the public security organ as per regulations.

5. After entering through the Beijing port of entry and applying for the 240-hour transit visa exemption, am I allowed to travel to Hainan for sightseeing and then depart from Hainan?

Yes, you can. As we mentioned earlier, one of the significant features of this policy is the expansion of the areas where you can stay and conduct activities. You are allowed to travel across provincial regions within the permitted scope.

Let's compare the old and new policies. Take Beijing, where we are now, as an example. Previously, the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region was in place. This meant that travelers entering through the Beijing port of entry could only stay within the three provinces of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. They were not allowed to exceed this area. So, if you wanted to go to Hainan for a visit, it was not permitted under the old policy.

The new 240-hour transit visa exemption policy has broken through this limitation. You can now enter visa-free through any of the 60 open ports of entry in the 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, and stay and conduct activities within the specified areas of these 24 provinces (regions, municipalities). This has removed the previous geographical restrictions, further facilitating the movement and exchange of people. Isn't that great!

6. Can I use the transit visa exemption policy to work in China for a while and then leave within the specified time period?

No! Transit visa-exempt individuals can engage in activities such as tourism, business, visiting, and family visits during their stay. However, activities that require prior approval, such as work, study, and press reporting, still require a proper visa to enter China.

7. I am British. I plan to fly from London to Beijing, and then continue to visit Xi'an and Shanghai. I have a flight ticket from Shanghai to either Hong Kong, Macau or Bangkok. Can I apply for the 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption?

Yes, you can. Your situation meets the application requirements for the transit visa exemption policy.

8. If a foreigner arrives from a certain country (region) and has a return ticket to the same country (region) within 240 hours, can they apply for this policy?

The answer is no. According to the policy, the transit visa exemption is for foreigners from the 54 eligible countries who are transiting through China to a third country (region). Therefore, foreigners whose destination country is the same as their departure country are not eligible for this policy.

9. How exactly is the 240-hour visa-free entry procedure handled at the Beijing port of entry?

The Beijing Immigration Inspection Station has established special counters for issuing temporary entry permits at the immigration inspection sites of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of Capital International Airport and at Daxing International Airport. After disembarking, eligible passengers first fill in the temporary entry card in the temporary entry permit issuance area and prepare their passports and connecting tickets or relevant proof. After inspection and questioning by the immigration authorities, those who meet the requirements can obtain a temporary entry permit with a stay period of 10 days and then enter the waiting area for immigration inspection.

In short, first apply for a temporary entry permit, and then undergo the immigration inspection.

10. What are the 60 ports applicable to the transit visa exemption policy?

Reference:

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/TmjiWB8tgULaAfsh7N-_jQ

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/zNxpqxIBPrbtiWeT1bxIKw