China Expands 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit: What's New in 2025
China has expanded its visa-free transit policy to more cities and extended stays for some nationalities. Here's the latest update for travelers planning a trip.
China Expands 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit: What’s New in 2025
Short answer: As of 2025, China’s 144-hour visa-free transit has expanded to 37 cities across 18 provinces. Several nationalities now qualify for 240-hour (10-day) transit, and the allowable travel region within each zone has increased significantly.
What Changed in 2025
More Cities
The policy now covers 37 cities, up from 20 in 2023:
New additions include:
- Harbin (northeast, winter tourism)
- Zhangjiajie (Avatar mountains)
- Guilin (Li River scenery)
- Xiamen (coastal Fujian, Taiwan-facing)
Longer Stays for Some Passports
Citizens of 53 countries still qualify for 144-hour transit, but citizens of 24 European countries plus Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, and Qatar now qualify for 240-hour (10-day) transit in select regions.
Expanded Movement Zones
Previously, travelers had to stay within the designated city cluster. Now, in several zones, travelers can move between multiple cities:
| Zone | Cities Covered |
|---|---|
| Yangtze Delta | Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo |
| Pearl Delta | Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan |
| Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei | Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang |
Requirements (Unchanged)
- Valid passport from qualifying country
- Onward ticket to a third country (not your country of origin)
- Entry and exit through designated ports
- No visa required in advance
> Third country clarification: Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan still count as “third countries” for this purpose.
Common Mistakes Still Happening
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Booking a round-trip flight (e.g., London→Shanghai→London) | Does not qualify; must transit to a third country |
| Staying longer than allowed | Overstay fine, potential entry ban |
| Entering through a non-designated port | Sent back or forced to apply for emergency visa |
The Bottom Line
China’s visa-free expansion is a clear signal: the country wants tourism revenue and is removing barriers. For short trips, 144-hour (or 240-hour) transit is now the easiest entry option for most Western travelers.