Lois Larson
China has implemented a 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy, allowing eligible travellers to enter mainland China without a visa for up to 24 hours under specific conditions. This policy applies to most nationalities, with some exceptions, and has certain restrictions. Travellers must possess a passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry, arrive by air, cruise ship, or train, and have confirmed onward tickets to a third-country destination outside mainland China, departing within 24 hours. While China offers visa-free transit at specific airports and for certain nationalities, obtaining a visa is generally required to enter the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa-free transit | Allowed for citizens of 55 countries for up to 240 hours at specific ports of entry. |
| Visa-free land side transit | Allowed for citizens of 55 countries for up to 240 hours. |
| Visa-free travel to Hainan | Allowed for citizens of the US and certain other countries for up to 30 days for tourism, trade, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports competitions. |
| Visa-free transit in Macau | Allowed for US citizens for up to 30 days. |
| Visa-free transit for US military personnel | Allowed for active-duty US military personnel and their families with valid passports for up to 90 days. |
| Visa-free transit for APEC Business Travel Card holders | Allowed for citizens of 21 APEC member economies for business purposes for up to 60 days. |
| 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) | Allowed for eligible travelers with a passport valid for at least 3 months and confirmed onward tickets to a third-country destination outside mainland China. |
| Visa on arrival | Allowed for travelers facing emergencies who apply via email to receive a 'Pre-Acceptance Receipt' to board flights to China. |
| Visa requirements | A visa is required for entry into China and must be obtained prior to arrival. The passport must have at least six months' validity remaining. |
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What You'll Learn
China's 24-hour Transit Without a Visa (TWOV) policy
China has a 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy, which allows eligible foreign travellers from 55 countries to transit through mainland China without a visa for up to 24 hours. This policy applies to air, train, and cruise ship passengers with valid international travel documents and connecting tickets with confirmed seats to a third country or region. The permitted stay length is indicated by a stamp or sticker on the passport.
The TWOV policy requires travellers to be in transit to a country different from their departure point. For example, an eligible transit route could be Country A → China → Country C, where A and C are different countries. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan can be considered as either A or C in this context. It is important to note that the 24-hour visa-free transit does not allow travellers to visit any city in China; it is limited to specific eligible cities and corresponding entry ports.
To take advantage of the TWOV policy, travellers must present their valid entry and exit documents, as well as their confirmed interline ticket with a connecting ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours. This presentation must be made to the staff of the transportation vehicle at check-in. Additionally, travellers must have a passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry and any required visas for their onward destination.
It is important to note that there are certain restrictions and requirements for the TWOV policy. Travellers may be refused entry or multi-stop transit if they have Chinese visa refusal stamps in their passports, have violated Chinese immigration laws in the past five years, or have failed to register with local Public Security Bureaus within 24 hours of entry in the last two years. Additionally, the policy is not applicable if travellers are staying in mainland China for more than 24 hours or if they have previously overstayed in a country or been refused a visa.
As of January 2024, the National Immigration Administration has implemented a new policy that allows foreigners to transit through nine key hub airports in China without a visa or border inspection procedures for up to 24 hours. These airports include Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Xiamen Gaoqi, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, Chengdu Tianfu, and Xi'an Xianyang. However, it is worth noting that individual airports may impose their own restrictions on certain nationalities, and not all airports in China participate in the TWOV program.
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Visa-free travel to Hainan
You cannot get a visa for China at the airport. However, citizens of certain countries are eligible for visa-free transit. This means that, as long as you have a connecting ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours, you can transit through certain airports in mainland China without a visa.
As of May 1, 2018, Hainan Island has offered a 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of 59 qualifying countries. This policy allows visitors to enter Hainan from any open port and stay within Hainan for a maximum of 30 days without a visa. The purpose of the visit can include tourism, temporary commercial and trade activities, business, family visits, sports competitions, and exhibitions, but not work or study.
To be eligible for this visa-free entry, visitors must hold a valid ordinary passport from one of the 59 qualifying countries and travel-related documents, including round-trip flight tickets, hotel bookings, and a travel itinerary in Hainan. Visitors can make pre-arrival registration through Hainan local travel agencies or register at the port after arrival. They can enter Hainan and exit from any of its ports, but they must remain within the Hainan administrative area for the duration of their stay.
Since July 30, 2024, overseas visitors have also been able to visit Hainan from Hong Kong and Macao without a visa for up to 144 hours. To qualify for this, visitors must join a tour group of at least two people organized by locally registered travel agencies in Hong Kong or Macao.
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US citizens and visas
US citizens must obtain a visa before arriving in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip and have at least two blank pages. You will need to apply for your visa in advance, and there are several types of visas available for US citizens. The main one is the tourist visa, but you can also get visas for family visits, work, and business.
The China tourist visa for US citizens costs $185. To obtain one, you must have an invitation letter from a Chinese travel agency or an individual, or you must have round-trip tickets and a hotel booking.
If you are travelling through China en route to another country, you do not need a visa as long as you stay in China for less than 24 hours and do not leave the airport. However, if you have more than one stopover in China, you must exit the transit lounge at the first stop to apply for an endorsement in your passport that permits multiple stops in China. In Shanghai, you can transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport and stay in Shanghai for 48 hours as long as you have a valid passport, a visa for your onward destination, and a valid ticket for an international destination.
US citizens may be eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, which is useful for repeated travel. If you are visiting China for non-commercial reasons, such as a conference or research, you will need an F visa. This is typically valid for 3-6 months with 1-2 entries. If you are visiting for commercial activities and trade, you will need an M visa. This is typically valid for 3 months. To apply for an M visa, you will need an invitation from a Chinese business. While you can conduct business activities with this visa, you are not permitted to work. To work in China, you will need to apply for a Z visa. You will need a job offer from a Chinese company, and you can stay for up to 3 months.
If you are a relative of a Chinese national or a foreign national residing in China on a permanent basis, you can obtain a Family Visit Visa. This allows visits of up to 90 consecutive days, or 180 days in some cases.
Holders of a valid Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) can enter China multiple times within the card's validity period for business purposes for up to 60 days at a time. The ABTC is valid for five years and functions as a five-year multi-entry visa. However, US citizens are not eligible to enter China with an ABTC without a visa.
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The 'port visa'
As of 2024, China has a 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy that allows eligible travellers to enter mainland China without a visa for up to 24 hours under certain conditions. This policy applies to most nationalities, with some exceptions, and has been updated several times. To qualify for the 24-hour TWOV, travellers must have a passport that is valid for at least three months from the date of entry, arrive by air, cruise ship, or train, and have confirmed onward tickets to a third-country destination outside mainland China, departing within 24 hours. Standby tickets are not permitted. The policy allows for multiple stops within mainland China, as long as the traveller departs the country within the 24-hour window.
However, travellers may be refused entry or multi-stop transit if they have Chinese visa refusal stamps in their passports or have violated Chinese immigration or other laws in the past five years. Certain airports have imposed their own restrictions, mandated by local authorities. Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Huangshan Tunxi International Airport, Mudanjiang Hailang International Airport, and Yanji Chaoyangchuan International Airport have opted out of the TWOV program entirely. At these locations, all transit passengers require a visa unless they are of a visa-exempt nationality.
In addition to the TWOV program, China has introduced a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign travellers from 55 countries, transiting through China. This policy allows travellers to stay for up to 10 days and has been expanded to include 60 visa-free entry/exit points across 24 provinces.
For those who need to obtain a visa, China offers a "port visa" option, similar to a "visa on arrival". Travellers facing emergencies can apply via email to the Beijing Port Visa Office to receive a 'Pre-Acceptance Receipt' to board flights to China. After arrival, they must complete the visa application process at 24/7 Port Visa Offices in Beijing airports and obtain the relevant types of visas based on their purpose of visit, with an allowed stay period of up to 30 days.
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Visa fees
It is not possible to obtain a visa at a Chinese airport upon arrival. All visas for China must be obtained prior to arrival in the country. US citizens may apply for a ten-year multiple-entry visa, which is useful for repeated travel.
The cost of a visa depends on several factors, including the type of visa, the number of entries, and the duration of the visa. Here is a breakdown of the visa fees for US citizens:
Tourist Visa (L Visa)
- Single Entry for 3 Months: $140
- Double Entries: $140
- Multiple Entries for 6 Months: $140
- Multiple Entries for 12 Months: $140
- Multiple Entries for 24 Months: $210
- Multiple Entries for 36 Months: $210
Business Visa (M Visa)
- Single Entry for 3 Months: $140
- Double Entries: $140
- Multiple Entries for 6 Months: $140
- Multiple Entries for 12 Months: $140
- Multiple Entries for 24 Months: $210
- Multiple Entries for 36 Months: $210
Transit Visa (G Visa)
Single or Double Entry for 3 Months: $30
Student Visa (X1 Visa)
- Single Entry for 180 Days: $90
- Multiple Entries for 12 Months: $140
Work Visa (Z Visa)
- Single Entry for 3 Months: $140
- Multiple Entries for 12 Months: $210
It's important to note that visa fees may be subject to change, and there could be additional fees or processing fees depending on your specific situation and the country you are applying from. Please refer to the official website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa fees and requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need to obtain a visa before arriving in China.
In certain circumstances, you may be able to obtain a 'port visa' or 'visa on arrival' at Beijing airports. This option is only available to travellers facing emergencies who have received a 'Pre-Acceptance Receipt' by emailing [email protected] before their trip.
Yes, China has a 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program that allows travellers to transit through China without a visa for up to 24 hours. This applies to most nationalities, but certain airports have their own restrictions.
Yes, China has a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign travellers from 55 countries. Additionally, citizens of the US and certain other countries can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days for specific purposes.
You can contact your local Chinese embassy or consulate for more information on visas and visa fees.
