Roberta Aguirre
China has a visa-free transit policy that allows eligible foreign travellers from select countries to stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. This policy applies to specific ports and provinces in China, including Beijing. However, the conditions and permitted duration of stay may vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and the port of entry. It is important to note that visa-free transit policies typically require travellers to remain within designated transit areas and may not permit them to leave the airport or cross provincial boundaries. In some cases, travellers may be allowed to exit the airport and enter the city, but this decision is often at the discretion of the immigration officer. Additionally, certain eligibility criteria and documentation requirements must be met to qualify for visa-free transit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa-free transit time | 24 hours, 72 hours, 144 hours, 240 hours |
| Visa-free entry/exit points | 60 across 24 provinces |
| Visa-free regions | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Chengdu, Yunnan, Zhengzhou, etc. |
| Visa-free nationalities | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay |
| Visa-free travel documents | Valid international travel documents, APEC business travel card, permanent residence card, residence permit |
| Visa-free travel purpose | Business, tourism, family visits, transit, study, employment |
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What You'll Learn
- Foreign citizens transiting through Beijing are exempt from visas if they have a connecting flight booked and their stay in Beijing does not exceed 24 hours
- Citizens of select countries with a valid travel document and a connecting flight ticket can stay in Beijing for up to 72 hours without a visa
- Beijing offers a port visa for inbound travellers facing emergencies, allowing them to board flights to China and apply for a visa after arrival for a stay of up to 30 days
- Holders of an APEC business travel card can make multiple entries into China, with each stay not exceeding two months
- Ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, or family visits
Foreign citizens transiting through Beijing are exempt from visas if they have a connecting flight booked and their stay in Beijing does not exceed 24 hours
However, it is important to note that the decision to allow travellers outside of the airport during their layover is at the discretion of the immigration officer. While there is no guarantee of exiting the airport with the TWOV, travellers with longer layovers, such as 20 hours, may have a better chance of being allowed outside the airport and into the city. In such cases, travellers may be able to leave the airport and stay in a hotel or explore the city for a brief period.
To ensure a smooth process, it is recommended to have all necessary documentation, including valid travel documents and connecting flight tickets with confirmed seats and departure dates. It is also important to check the official rules and criteria for the TWOV policy, as there may be additional requirements or restrictions. Additionally, travellers should be aware of the permitted arrival airports and ensure that their itinerary within China complies with the allowed areas under the TWOV policy.
For longer stays or more extended transit periods, China offers other visa options, such as the 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policies, which are applicable to certain eligible ports and provinces. These policies allow travellers from specific countries to stay for a longer duration without a visa, providing more flexibility for regional travel within China. It is important to carefully plan your trip and adhere to the permitted areas to avoid any issues with your visa-free transit.
In some cases, travellers facing emergencies can apply for a "port visa" or "visa on arrival" by contacting the Beijing Port Visa Office before their trip. This option allows travellers to obtain a 'Pre-Acceptance Receipt' and complete the visa application process upon arrival at Beijing airports, facilitating their entry into China for specific purposes with a stay period of up to 30 days. Additionally, holders of certain residence permits or permanent residence cards may be exempt from visa requirements and can freely enter and exit China through all passenger ports.
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Citizens of select countries with a valid travel document and a connecting flight ticket can stay in Beijing for up to 72 hours without a visa
As of 2025, eligible foreign travellers from 55 countries can stay in Beijing for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. This is a significant extension from the previous 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies.
It is important to note that the 72-hour visa-free transit policy only applies if you have a booked seat on an international connecting flight and do not plan to leave the airport during your stay. If you wish to leave the airport, it is up to the immigration officer whether you are allowed to exit the airport and enter Beijing. With a longer layover, such as 20 hours, your chances of being allowed to leave the airport are better.
Additionally, Beijing offers a "port visa" or "visa on arrival" option for travellers facing emergencies. Travellers can apply via email to receive a 'Pre-Acceptance Receipt' to board flights to China and then complete the visa application process at Beijing airports, with an allowed stay period of up to 30 days.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China has been continuously expanding the country's visa-free transit policy, with 21 new ports added in 2024, increasing the total number of visa-free entry/exit points to 60 across 24 provinces. This includes major international airports in regions such as Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, and Guizhou.
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Beijing offers a port visa for inbound travellers facing emergencies, allowing them to board flights to China and apply for a visa after arrival for a stay of up to 30 days
Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport offer port visas for inbound travellers facing emergencies. This option is available for foreigners needing urgent entry for humanitarian reasons or those invited to enter for urgent business affairs, engineering repairs, or other emergencies. These travellers can apply for a port visa with the Beijing Port Visa Authority and use the pre-acceptance receipt to board their flights to China. Once they land in Beijing, they can proceed to the Port Visa Office at the airport terminal to complete the port visa application process.
The port visa is also applicable to foreign members of entrepreneurial teams in the Zhongguancun Science Park who are unable to obtain work permits due to time limitations. These individuals can apply for a talent visa at the port of entry with an invitation letter from the leaders of the entrepreneurial team or the enterprise.
Additionally, foreign students from overseas universities invited for internships by enterprises in Zhongguancun Science Park registered with the entry/exit agencies of the Beijing public security organ may apply for a short-term private visit visa (annotated with "internship") with authorised port visa agencies. This visa will allow them to enter China and participate in their internship programs.
It is important to note that obtaining a visa through fraudulent means is illegal, and visa-issuing authorities are not obliged to provide reasons for visa refusals. The port visa option allows eligible travellers facing emergencies to board their flights to China and apply for a visa after arrival, providing a temporary solution for those who need to enter China urgently.
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Holders of an APEC business travel card can make multiple entries into China, with each stay not exceeding two months
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is a visa alternative for travellers from participating APEC member economies. The United States is one of 21 APEC member economies, which include Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong China, Japan, Korea, and many others. The card is valid for five years and allows holders to make multiple entries into China, with each stay not exceeding two months.
The ABTC is intended for business people who frequently travel for short-term visits within the APEC region. To be eligible for the card, applicants must meet specific criteria, including being an existing or approved member of a trusted traveller program and being a verified business person or government official actively engaged in APEC business. The criteria for approval vary by economy, and applicants must apply through their economy of citizenship or permanent residence.
In addition to the ABTC, China offers a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign travellers from 55 countries. This policy allows travellers to stay in specific regions of China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. It is important to note that the permitted arrival airports, railway stations, or cruise ports must be considered when planning a trip under this policy.
Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao International Airport, and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport also offer a 72-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of specific countries. Chengdu Shuangliu Airport offers a similar policy for a 72-hour stay within the Chengdu administrative region. Additionally, Beijing Airport offers a 24-hour transit without a visa (TWOV), which may allow travellers to exit the airport, depending on individual circumstances.
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Ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, or family visits
As of 2025, China has implemented a 30-day visa-free policy for citizens of several countries. From 9 June 2025 to 8 June 2026, ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchange, and transit purposes. This is part of China's visa waiver program and its commitment to boosting commercial and cultural exchanges with other countries.
It is important to note that this policy is subject to specific conditions and restrictions. The visa exemption is only valid for stays of up to 30 days and applies to specific purposes such as business, tourism, and family visits. Additionally, eligible travelers can only enter China through certain ports of entry, including major international airports in regions like Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, and Guizhou.
When planning a trip to China under this visa-free policy, it is crucial to ensure that your itinerary falls within the permitted areas. Visa-free travelers can cross provincial boundaries within the eligible regions, but there are restrictions on exiting the country from certain ports. Therefore, travelers should carefully check the permitted arrival and departure airports, railway stations, or cruise ports to avoid any issues.
In addition to the visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from the four countries mentioned, China also offers a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign travelers from 55 countries. This policy allows transit passengers to stay in specific regions of China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. However, this does not guarantee entry outside the airport, and it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer.
It is always recommended to check the latest official information and guidelines from Chinese authorities before planning a trip to China, as visa requirements and policies may change from time to time.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are a foreign citizen transiting through China, you are exempt from a visa as long as you have a booked seat in an international connecting flight and your stay in the city does not exceed 24 hours. From 1 August 2013, citizens of 55 countries transiting through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport are exempt from a transit visa, provided that their stay does not exceed 72 hours. Similar exemptions are available for Chengdu Shuangliu Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport.
In such cases, it is up to the immigration officer to decide if you are allowed to exit the airport. However, with a longer layover, your chances of being allowed to leave may increase.
China has a 144-hour visa-free transit policy across 60 ports in 24 provinces. Eligible foreign travellers from 55 countries can stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa.
Citizens of certain countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand, can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, business, and family visits.
Foreign citizens who come to China for work or study are required to apply for a residence permit. Within the validity period of this permit, they can leave and enter China multiple times without obtaining another visa.
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