The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has announced today that China’s visa-free transit policy has been fully relaxed and optimized, effective immediately! This policy adjustment greatly facilitates foreign travelers transiting through China. The key updates are as follows:
Key Highlights
1. Extended Stay Duration to 240 Hours (10 Days)
The previous 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit stay durations have been extended to 240 hours, giving travelers more time for in-depth exploration.
2. 21 New Ports Added
A total of 21 new ports have been added, increasing the number of open ports for visa-free transit travelers to 60. The newly added ports include:
- Shanxi Province: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport
- Jiangsu Province: Su’nan Shuofang International Airport, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport
- Zhejiang Province: Wenzhou Longwan International Airport, Yiwu Airport
- Anhui Province: Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, Huangshan Tunxi International Airport
- Fujian Province: Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, Wuyishan Airport
- Jiangxi Province: Nanchang Changbei International Airport
- Shandong Province: Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, Yantai Penglai International Airport, Weihai Dashuipo International Airport
- Hunan Province: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Nanning Wuxu International Airport, Beihai Fucheng Airport
- Hainan Province: Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport
- Sichuan Province: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
- Guizhou Province: Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport
3. Expanded Allowed Areas to 24 Provinces
The policy now allows cross-province travel in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), up from the previous 19. The newly added provinces are Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou. The specific allowed areas are:
- Entire provinces: Anhui, Hainan, Guizhou, Fujian, Hubei, and Shaanxi
- Limited areas: Shanxi (Taiyuan, Datong), Jiangxi (Nanchang, Jingdezhen), and Guangxi (14 cities, including Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, and Beihai)
Eligible Countries and Entry Requirements
- Nationals of 54 countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, France, and Germany, are eligible for the visa-free transit policy.
- Travelers must hold a valid passport and interline tickets to a third country (with departure within 240 hours) and complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which countries are eligible for the unilateral visa waiver policy?
Answer: Nationals holding ordinary passports from 38 countries, including Brunei, Germany, Italy, and Japan, can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days, provided their purpose is tourism, family visits, business, or exchanges.
2. Are there any special requirements for minors?
Answer: Minors are subject to the same visa-free requirements as adults.
3. Is multiple entry allowed under the visa-free transit policy?
Answer: Yes, eligible foreign nationals can enter China multiple times without a visa. Currently, there is no limit on the number of entries or total days of stay.