China 240-hour visa-free transit eligibility
A route-first explainer for travelers trying to confirm whether their layover, passport, and next stop qualify.
China travel guide collection
China Visa-free Transit
240-hour transit rules by passport, route, airport, and stopover pattern.
Route-first planning tool
Pre-check a 240-hour transit route
Test the third-country route pattern, passport validity, and onward-ticket basics before booking.
More china visa-free transit tools
Choose the checklist for your next decision
Popular questions
Start with a practical travel question
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Before booking
Confirm that the original route fits
Start with the eligibility conditions, then test how Hong Kong or Macao changes the immediate transit pattern.
Build the mainland route
Match the ports and permitted travel area
Confirm the exact international inspection ports, then check every domestic flight, train, city, and exit point against the current permitted area.
Can you use train, ferry, or land ports for China 240-hour transit?
A port-by-port planning guide for eligible international rail, ferry, bridge, highway, and seaport routes under China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
Can you take domestic flights or trains during China 240-hour transit?
A permitted-area guide for checking domestic flights, trains, city changes, and mainland connections during a 240-hour visa-free transit stay.
When plans change
Retest the route and protect the deadline
Use the recovery guides when a replacement departure changes the route or an emergency threatens the permitted stay.
What if your China visa-free transit flight changes?
A route-first recovery guide for cancellations, rebooking, airport changes, and onward tickets during a 240-hour China transit.
What if you cannot leave China before 240 hours?
A cautious response plan for illness, force majeure, cancellations, or other events that threaten a China visa-free transit deadline.