Planning to travel to China but confused about transit visa-free vs. 30-day visa-free entry? No worries — this article is based on official Chinese sources, so the info is real, accurate, and safe to share on your blog.
✈️ What is Transit Visa-Free Entry?
China’s Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program allows travelers from eligible countries to stay in China for a short period (up to 10 days) without a visa— as long as your trip continues to a third country.
- Since December 17, 2024, China expanded the transit visa-free policy to 240 hours (10 days) at approved ports, covering 55 countries .
- Full list of eligible travelers includes citizens from the Schengen zone, UK, USA, Canada, Brazil, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and others
- Main requirements:
- Must hold tickets Country A → China → Country B (no round trip back to A)
- Show valid ticket to a third country at entry
- Enter and exit at designated ports across 24 provinces
- Good news: travel anywhere within those provinces, no longer limited to a single metro region
Perfect for: quick explorations during long-haul flights—like squeezing in a mini Beijing or Shanghai trip before continuing your journey.
🌍 What is 30-Day Visa-Free Entry?
China is rolling out a new 30-day visa-free entry for “ordinary passport” holders of many countries—no visa required, just show up and go.
- Mainland China: From Dec 1, 2023 (extended until Dec 31, 2025), citizens from countries like France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Japan, and more enjoy up to 30 days stay.
- From June 1, 2025, added Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay for 30-day stays .
- Hainan specific (NIA official): 59 countries, including same plus Canada, US, Singapore, etc., get 30 days in Hainan without visa .
- No port restrictions—enter from any international airport, port, or land border; travel freely across China
Great for full-value trips: explore multiple cities, stay long, enjoy total freedom.
🧭 Quick Comparison
| Policy | Transit Visa-Free (240h) | 30-Day Visa-Free Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Transit only (must continue to third country) | Tourism, business, visiting, transit |
| Max stay | 240 hours (~10 days) | 30 days |
| Entry requirement | Ticket Country A→China→Country B | Round-trip or multi-city allowed |
| Geography | 24 provinces designated | Any port, no travel restrictions |
| Eligible countries | 55 (e.g., US, EU, UK, etc.) | Mainland: ~38+; Hainan: 59; Latin America: +5 new |
✅ Which One Should You Use?
- Full trip in China?
→ If your nationality is on the 30-day visa-free list, this is by far your best option—wide access, flexible return, no weird ticket restrictions. - Quick stopover?
→ Use the 240-hour Transit Visa-Free—build in a mini trip between flights without needing a full visa.
🚀 Final Tips Before You Travel
- Always verify the latest rules on the Chinese Embassy or National Immigration Administration website
- TWOV: bring onward ticket and passport valid 3+ months
30-day visa-free: passport valid 6+ months recommended - Have flight confirmations and hotel bookings ready for check at immigration
- Observe location rules (for TWOV, no exit outside permitted area)
- Don’t overstay—different penalties apply
Discover China with PandaPower
At PandaPower, we monitor all official updates on transit visa-free, 30-day main‑land entry, Hainan, and Latin America pilots—so your trip is smooth, fully legal, and unforgettable.
No visa guesswork. Just wander and enjoy. 🚀
