China upgrades its visa-exempt transit policy

The national Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on 17th December 2024 that it will further relax and enhance visa-exempt transit policy with extended validity of each stay, more ports of entry, and open up areas for visa-exempt transit travelers to stay. The policy is effective immediately. 

The upgraded policy includes the following key points: 

• Extension of duration of stay: The duration of stay in China for individuals from 54 eligible countries is extended to 240 hours (10 days). Please refer to Appendix I for the list of countries.
• Increased number of ports of entry: The number of open ports of entry have been expanded to 60, which are located in 24 provinces adding 5 new provinces to the list, including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan and Guizhou Province.
• Expansion of allowed areas of stay: Foreign nationals from eligible countries would be able to stay in the allowed 24 provinces for the purpose of tourism, family visits, medical treatment, cultural exchange, and commercial trades, with specific cities in Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Yunnan Province. Please refer to Appendix II for the list of applicable provinces and allowed areas of stay.

By further relaxing and enhancing visa-exempt transit policy, China looks to attract more short-term visitors for cultural and business exchanges.  Most of the newly added ports locate in cities and provinces with rich cultural heritage and tourism resources. It is conductive to promote Chinese culture and allow the world to experience charm of China.

The “upgraded” visa-exemption policies allow longer stay per entry and wider range of activities to be performed The upgrade of China’s visa-exempt transit policy will continue to boost openness and attract visitors to China, aiming at accelerating cross-border mobility and promoting international communication and cooperations, and economic interaction.

Foreign nationals intending to utilise the 240-hour visa-exempt transit policy should ensure they have the following in place: 

• Valid international travel document with at least three-month validity;
• Official document proving your right to enter the next destination country/region;
• Ticket for connecting flight/appropriate transportation to the next destination country/region with confirmed date and seat for departure within 240 hours.

Foreigners who intend to come to China to work should apply for working visa in advance and convert working visa to work permit after entering into China.

If you are uncertain whether the visa-exempt transit policy applies to you, please consult a immigration counsel or with a member of the KPMG immigration team in the People’s Republic of China.

Appendix I

Appendix II