Visa & Entry guide
When Does China's 240-Hour Transit Period Start?
China's official notice says the 240-hour stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry; verify your exact entry record and route before travel.
Last updated: July 27, 2026
Official sources last checked: July 27, 2026
4 min read
Important notice
Policy, payment, app, carrier and transport rules can change. This article is planning guidance only: use the linked official source and relevant provider or carrier for your exact situation.
Quick answer
China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy is route-specific, not a universal visa waiver. Check your nationality, valid travel document, confirmed onward trip to a third country or region, entry port and permitted stay area against the current National Immigration Administration notice before booking non-refundable travel.
Who this guide is for
- First-time China visitors who want a practical answer before booking or departure.
- Travelers willing to keep a backup plan rather than rely on one app, card, route or search result.
Step-by-step guide
- Open the current NIA notice and confirm your passport nationality appears in the eligible group.
- Match your exact arrival port and every planned location against the official permitted-area information.
- Keep confirmed onward evidence and the official source available for airline and immigration checks.
- Recheck after any change to flight, rail, hotel or onward destination.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any return or onward booking fits the third-country rule.
- Using a city list without checking the port and permitted area together.
- Booking an exit too tightly to the policy limit.
Troubleshooting
- If the route is unclear, ask the carrier and NIA 12367 before departure.
- If an itinerary changes, redo every official check rather than assuming the old result carries over.
Backup plan
- Save the relevant official source and your confirmations offline.
- Keep a second payment, data or transport option where the guide recommends one.
First-day checklist
- Passport and onward proof ready.
- Current NIA policy link saved.
- Hotel and domestic travel stay inside the verified plan.
- Departure buffer is built in.
Use the official calculation, then keep a buffer
The NIA's current notice states that the visa-free stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day following entry. That is not a reason to book a last-minute exit: check your recorded entry details, permitted stay area, exact departure date and carrier requirements. Build a buffer for station changes, delays and any disruption before your onward departure.
- Use the official date rule, not an approximate 10-day guess.
- Confirm your onward ticket has the required confirmed arrangements.
- Keep policy source links with your travel documents for final verification.
Official resources to verify
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