China Fully Relaxes Transit Visa Exemption Policy

On 17 December 2024, the National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China announced that the country’s transit visa exemption policy is to be “relaxed” with immediate effect. This policy change has been implemented to improve the convenience for foreigners studying, working, and living in China and facilitate international diplomatic relations.

To date, the transit visa exemption policy limited travelers to visa-free transiting for up to 72 or 144 hours (6 days). The policy change will now enable foreigners transiting through the country to stay in China visa-free for the purposes of transiting for up to 240 hours (10 days).

This policy change will affect travelers from 54 countries, including citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Russia, and Brazil.

Furthermore, the transit visa exemption policy is expanding to cover an additional 21 entry and exit ports:

1. Anhui Hefei Xinqiao International Airport
2. Beihai Fucheng International Airport
3. Guangxi Nanning Wuxu International Airport
4. Guizhou Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport
5. Hainan Haikou Meilan International Airport
6. Huangshan Tunxi International Airport
7. Hunan Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport 
8. Fujian Fuzhou Changle International Airport
9. Jiangsu Sunan Shuofang International Airport
10. Jiangxi Nanchang Changbei International Airport
11. Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport
12. Sanya Phoenix International Airport
13. Shandong Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport 
14. Shanxi Taiyuan Wusu International Airport 
15. Sichuan Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
16. Weihai Dashuibo International Airport
17. Wuyishan International Airport
18. Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport
19. Yantai Penglai International Airport
20. Yiwu International Airport
21. Zhejiang Wenzhou Longwan International Airport

This will bring the total number of ports in the transit visa exemption policy to 60 and expand the policy to five new provinces – Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou.

Additionally, the National Immigration Administration announced that the stay and activity areas around many of these ports would be expanding. For Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, and Shaanxi, the stay and activity area now covers the entire province. For other provinces, the stay and activity areas have been expanded to include additional cities.

Importantly, travelers entering the country through a port not covered by the transit visa exemption policy, or travelers intending to transit for longer than 240 hours, will still be required to apply for the relevant transit visa.