Visa
Do I need a Visa?
Visa-Free 24-hour transit visit
China’s 24-hour Transit Without Visa(TWOV) policy allows eligible travelers to enter mainland China without a visa for up to 24 hours, under certain conditions. This policy applies to most nationalities, but there are exceptions.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 24-hour TWOV:
- You must have a passport valid for at least 3 months from your entry date.
- You must arrive by air, cruise ship, or train.
- You need confirmed onward tickets to a third-country destination (outside mainland China) that depart within 24 hours.
- Standby tickets are not allowed.
- You can make multiple stops in mainland China as long as you leave within 24 hours.
Restrictions and Ineligibility
You may not qualify for the 24-hour TWOV if:
- You have Chinese visa refusals stamped in your passport.
- You violated Chinese immigration laws within the last 5 years.
- You failed to register with local Public Security Bureaus within 24 hours of entry in the past 2 years.
- You are considered inadmissible under Chinese laws.
Important Notes
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Transit to a Third Country:
- You must be traveling to a different country from your departure point.
- Travel between U.S. territories (e.g., Alaska, Hawaii, or the mainland U.S.) does not qualify unless one flight stops in another country or region.
- Hong Kong and Macau are considered separate territories for TWOV purposes.
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Immigration and Customs Checks:
- Travelers may need to go through immigration and customs even if they do not plan to leave the transit area.
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New Policy at Key Airports (January 2024):
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At 9 major airports, international travelers with a connecting flight within 24 hours can transit without going through border inspection:
- Beijing Capital
- Beijing Daxing
- Shanghai Pudong
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan
- Xiamen Gaoqi
- Guangzhou Baiyun
- Shenzhen Bao’an
- Chengdu Tianfu
- Xi’an Xianyang
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Travelers must have a confirmed ticket to a third country or region.
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This exemption only applies to travelers using these airports for transit within 24 hours.
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This updated policy makes short stays in China more convenient for eligible travelers.
Visa-free Transit 240-hour stay
China offers visa-free transit for citizens of 54 countries, allowing stays of up to 240 hours (10 days) at specific ports of entry.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for visa-free transit:
- You must enter through approved ports.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your arrival.
- If needed, you must have a visa for your next destination.
- You must have a confirmed ticket to leave China within 240 hours.
- Your next destination must be a third country or territory (not China).
- Hong Kong and Macau are separate territories.
- Your inbound and outbound flights must:
- Arrive at and depart directly from approved ports.
- Have no stopovers within mainland China.
- Go to a different first stop on your outbound flight than your inbound flight’s origin.
- U.S. territory travel does not qualify unless there’s a stopover in a third country or special administrative region.
What You’ll Receive
- Eligible travelers get a temporary entry permit.
- This permit shows where you can stay and for how long.
- Your stay usually starts at 12:01 a.m. the day after you arrive, but this can vary by port.
- The 240-hour transit lets you enter and leave through different ports in the same region.
- If you have a valid Chinese visa, you can still use this scheme if your plans meet the transit rules.
Who is NOT Eligible
You are not eligible if:
- You have short-validity travel documents.
- You’ve had a Chinese visa refusal or past immigration violations.
- You did not register with local authorities during a previous stay.
- You are considered inadmissible under Chinese law.
- You are a ship crew member.
Important Warnings
- Misusing the visa-free transit, like changing return tickets, can result in:
- Being labeled an illegal resident.
- A 5-year ban from using visa-free transit.
Ports and Areas
Regular Visas
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Preparing Required Documents
- Gather basic documents (e.g., passport, photo) and supporting documents specific to your visa type.
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Fill Out and Submit Online Application
- Visit www.visaforchina.cn.
- Select the appropriate Visa Center where you’ll submit your application.
- Register and log in to fill out the application form online.
- Upload the required documents and confirm your application.
- Wait for pre-check results of your application.
Important Notes:
- You may receive requests for additional documents from the Chinese Embassy or Visa Center. Check your application status online regularly.
- If your application status shows “Approved”, print the first and last pages of the form and sign them.
- Some applicants may be required to schedule a video interview online.
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Submit Documents and Pay Fees
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If your application status is “Approved”:
- Visit the Visa Center (Monday to Friday, 09:00–14:30) with the following:
- Original passport.
- Printed first and last pages of the signed application form.
- Photo.
- Any additional documents requested.
- Visit the Visa Center (Monday to Friday, 09:00–14:30) with the following:
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Fingerprint collection is required unless you qualify for an exemption:
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Exempt groups include:
- Applicants under 14 or over 70.
- Diplomatic passport holders.
- Applicants who previously provided fingerprints for a Chinese visa within the last 5 years at the same Visa Center.
- Applicants with physical limitations or other valid reasons.
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Temporary Exemption (until December 31, 2024): Certain applicants applying for single/double-entry business, tourist, family visit (Q2), transit, or crew visas.
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Pay the total fee (visa and service fees) when submitting documents.
Note: Faking or using fraudulent fingerprints will result in denial of entry to China, and the applicant will bear all consequences.
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Collecting Your Passport
- Collect your passport in person during Visa Center hours with the original pick-up form.
- For postal return, request this service at the counter.