The National Immigration Administration issued a notice to comprehensively relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy from December 17, 2024, extending the stay duration from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days), while adding 21 ports of entry and exit for visa-free transit people, and further expanding the areas for stay activities. Individuals from 54 eligible countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada, who transit from China to a third country (region), can visit China visa-free at any of the 60 ports open to the outside world in 24 provinces (regions and municipalities), and stay in the specified areas for no more than 240 hours. This article will explain in detail which foreigners can apply, which ports they can enter the country visa-free and which areas they can stay in without a visa in transit.

Table 1 shows citizens of the 54 countries where visa-free transit policies apply:

European countries (40)	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, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
American countries (6)	United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceanian countries (2)	Australia, New Zealand
Asian countries (6)	Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

At the same time, you need to hold a valid international travel document, valid for not less than 3 months, and meet the entry conditions for a third country (region).You must hold a connecting ticket to a third country (region) with a confirmed date and seat within 240 hours or relevant proof, fill out a temporary entry card for foreigners, and accept the inspection and inquiry of exit/entry border inspection authorities.

In terms of ports open to the outside world, the number has increased from the original 39 to 60. Eligible foreigners can apply to the border inspection authorities at 60 ports in Beijing, Shanghai and other places in China, and the border inspection authorities will handle temporary entry formalities for them, and the visa-free stay will be counted from midnight on the next day of entry. Table 2 shows the 21 new ports to relax and optimize the transit visa-free policy:

The comprehensive relaxation and optimization of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy further expanded the area of stay activities. The provinces applicable to the policy are increased from the original 19 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) such as Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei to the five provinces (Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan and Guizhou). Table 3 lists the 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in detail.


Table 4 shows the specific areas within the province (district, municipality) where activities can be stayed.

The biggest feature of this policy adjustment is to allow cross-regional passage, foreigners who come to China through the visa-free transit policy can travel in the above 24 provinces(regions and municipalities) allowed to stay in the activity area of cross-provincial travel, in the allowed to stay in the area to arrange their own travel. Transit visa-free visitors to China can engage in tourism, business, visits, family visits and other activities during their stay. Work, study, news reporting and other activities requiring prior approval still obtain a visa before coming to China.

The National Immigration Administration will focus on services to promote high-level opening up and high-quality development, continue to optimize the transit visa-free policy, steadily expand institutional opening up, and constantly release the dividend of the visa-free policy, welcoming more foreign friends to come to China and experience the beauty of China in the new era.