China expands visa-free policy to allow stays of up to 240 hours at 60 ports in 24 provincial regions starting from Tuesday.
The National Migration Administration announced today that it will fully relax and optimize the transit visa free policy from December 17, and extend the stay time of transit visa free foreigners in China from 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). At the same time, 21 new ports will be added as entry and exit ports for transit visa free people, and further expand the stay area. Eligible personnel from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, who transit from China to a third country (region), can come to China without visa from any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (districts, cities), and stay in the specified area for no more than 240 hours.
The 21 new ports added in this relaxation and optimization of transit visa free policy include:
- Shanxi Taiyuan Wusu International Airport Port,
- Jiangsu Wuxi Sunan Shuofang,
- Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport Port,
- Zhejiang Wenzhou Longwan,
- Jinhua Yiwu International Airport Port,
- Anhui Hefei Xinqiao,
- Mount Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Port,
- Fujian Fuzhou Changle,
- Quanzhou Jinjiang,
- Nanping Mount Wuyi International Airport Port,
- Jiangxi Nanchang International Airport Port,
- Shandong Jinan Yaoqiang,
- Yantai Penglai,
- Weihai Dashuibo International Airport Port,
- Hunan Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport Port,
- Guangxi Nanning Wuwei,
- Beihai Fucheng International Airport Port,
- Hainan Haikou Meilan,
- Sanya Phoenix International Airport Port Airport port,
- Sichuan Chengdu Tianfu International Airport port,
- Guizhou Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport port.
The number of ports open to the outside world has increased from 39 to 60.
The comprehensive relaxation and optimization of the 240 hour transit visa free policy has further expanded the stay activity area. The policy applies to 19 provinces (regions, cities) including:
- Beijing,
- Tianjin,
- Hebei,
- Liaoning,
- Heilongjiang,
- Shanghai,
- Jiangsu,
- Zhejiang,
- Fujian,
- Shandong,
- Henan,
- Hubei,
- Hunan,
- Guangdong,
- Guangxi,
- Chongqing,
- Sichuan,
- Yunnan,
（and Shanxi, with an additional 5 provinces (regions, cities) including）
- Shanxi,
- Anhui,
- Jiangxi,
- Hainan, and
- Guizhou,
for a total of 24 provinces (regions, cities).
Among the 5 newly added provinces, the transit visa free personnel will stay in:
- the provinces of Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou for the entire province,
- Taiyuan and Datong for Shanxi Province, and
- Nanchang and Jingdezhen for Jiangxi Province.
Expand the stay activity areas of :
- Fujian,
- Hubei, and
- Shaanxi
provinces to the whole province, and
expand the stay activity areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to 12 administrative regions including:
- Nanning,
- Liuzhou,
- Guilin,
- Wuzhou,
- Beihai,
- Fangchenggang,
- Qinzhou, Guigang,
- Yulin,
- Hezhou,
- Hechi, and
- Laibin.
Foreigners who come to China through the transit visa free policy can travel across provinces in the above 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) within their permitted areas of stay.
The relevant person in charge of the National Immigration Administration introduced that the relaxation and optimization of the transit visa free policy is an important measure taken by the National Immigration Administration to earnestly study and implement the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, actively serve and promote high-level opening up to the outside world, and facilitate the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel. It is conducive to accelerating the cross-border flow of personnel, promoting foreign exchange and cooperation, and injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of the economy and society. In the next step, the National Immigration Administration will continue to deepen the opening of immigration management system, continue to optimize and improve immigration entry and exit facilitation policies, continue to improve the convenience of foreigners to study, work and live in China, and welcome more foreign friends to China to experience the beauty of China in the new era.
Applicable conditions of visa free policy for foreigners applying for 240 hour transit
One is citizens of the 54 countries eligible for transit visa free policies:
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;
Oceania countries (2):
Australia, New Zealand;
Asian countries (6):
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
The second requirement is to present a valid international travel document, valid for no less than 3 months, and meet the entry requirements for traveling to a third country (region).
The third is to hold a connecting ticket or relevant certificate for a third country (region) with a date and seat confirmed within 240 hours, fill in the entry card for temporary foreigners, and accept the inspection and inquiry of the entry-exit border inspection authority.
Foreigners who meet the above conditions 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. The visa free stay time starts from 0:00 on the next day of entry. Those who comply with the mutual visa exemption agreement signed with our country or our unilateral visa exemption policy can follow its provisions.