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Visa-Free Checker

China Visa-Free Checker for 30-Day Entry and 240-Hour Transit

Compare mutual visa exemption, 30-day unilateral visa-free entry, and 240-hour transit rules before booking a mainland China route.

Reviewed data version2026-06-19
Last human verificationJune 18, 2026
Monitored sources6

Check a proposed route

Use ordinary passport assumptions. This planning estimate does not collect passport numbers, names, birth dates, or saved identity data.

Route previewDeparture -> mainland China -> onward destination

Use ordinary passport assumptions only. Confirm with official sources and your airline before departure.

Visa-free guide

Use the checker, then read the rule that fits your trip

This page is built as a planning guide as well as a route checker. The form estimates the likely policy path, while the notes below explain why the same China trip may be handled differently under 30-day visa-free entry, mutual visa exemption, or 240-hour transit.

Policy pathMain checksRoute ruleStay ruleVerification
Mutual visa exemptionPassport country, ordinary passport assumptions, purpose, and stay limit.No third-destination requirement.Agreement-specific, commonly 30 days.VerifiedOfficial sources
30-day unilateral visa-free entryPassport country, travel purpose, arrival date, departure date, and current policy validity.Direct or round-trip routes may qualify.Up to 30 days when the policy remains effective.VerifiedOfficial sources
240-hour transit visa-free stayEligible passport, A-China-C route, designated entry port, permitted stay area, and confirmed onward ticket.Arrival origin and onward destination must differ.Up to 240 hours / 10 days under the recorded rule.VerifiedOfficial sources

When 30-day visa-free entry may be enough

If your passport is on the current unilateral visa-free list and your purpose is covered, the trip may not need transit logic at all. The main checks are passport eligibility, travel purpose, stay length, and whether the policy is still valid for your travel dates.

When 240-hour transit rules matter

The 240-hour policy is route based. A simple round trip normally fails the third-destination rule, while an A-China-C itinerary may fit if the passport, port, onward ticket, and permitted activity area also match official rules.

Documents to prepare before boarding

Carry an ordinary passport, confirmed onward or return transport, hotel or stay address, and offline copies of official policy pages. Airlines may check documents before you reach border inspection.

When to apply for a regular visa

Apply early if your purpose is study or work, your route returns to the same country after mainland China, your entry port is not covered, or your stay length exceeds the visa-free policy you are trying to use.

Common route examples

United States -> Shanghai -> JapanUsually checked as a 240-hour transit route because the onward destination differs from the arrival country.

United Kingdom -> Shanghai -> JapanCan be compared against both 30-day unilateral visa-free entry and 240-hour transit logic.

Singapore -> Shanghai -> JapanOften simpler under mutual visa exemption, while the route still matters for onward travel planning.

Policy record

Policy and verification updates

verification

Policy datasets reviewed

The active mutual exemption, unilateral visa-free entry, and 240-hour transit datasets were checked against the registered sources and retained without a material policy change.

Official evidence

Sources and verification status

SourceSupportsVerificationLink
List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption Between China and Foreign CountriesNational Immigration Administration (NIA) · enMutual visa exemption countries and stay rulesVerifiedHuman-verified Jun 18, 2026Open
List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa ExemptionNational Immigration Administration (NIA) · en30-day unilateral visa-free countries, purposes, and validityVerifiedHuman-verified Jun 18, 2026Open
Visa-Free Transit Policies (240 Hours)National Immigration Administration (NIA) · en240-hour transit countries, ports, route rules, and stay areasVerifiedHuman-verified Jun 18, 2026Open
Expansion of Visa-Free Transit to 55 Countries and 24 ProvincesNational Immigration Administration (NIA) · en240-hour transit expansion, designated ports, and permitted areasVerifiedHuman-verified Jun 18, 2026Open
Unilateral Visa Exemption FAQ (Updated May 2026)Chinese Visa Application Service Center · zhSupporting FAQ and practical clarification for unilateral visa-free entryVerifiedHuman-verified Jun 18, 2026Open
Mutual Visa Exemption ListMinistry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Consular Service · zhComplete mutual visa exemption agreement listVerifiedHuman-verified Jun 18, 2026Open
Reference this checkerChina Visa-Free Checker

Source-backed route planning estimate. Human-verified June 18, 2026.

https://onthegreatwall.com/trip-toolkit/china-visa-free-checker/

Limits: Ordinary passports and common short-stay purposes only. Airline, immigration, embassy, and consular decisions remain authoritative.

FAQ

China visa-free checker questions

Can I visit China without a visa?

Possibly. It depends on your passport, travel purpose, stay length, entry city, and onward route. Use the China Visa-Free Checker to compare 30-day visa-free entry and 240-hour transit possibilities, then confirm with official sources before booking.

What is China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy?

It is a transit policy for eligible passports traveling from one country or region to mainland China and onward to a different third country or region through designated ports. The checker estimates whether your route may fit that A-China-C pattern.

Does Hong Kong count as a third destination for China transit?

Hong Kong is commonly treated as a separate destination from mainland China for transit route logic. You still need confirmed onward transport and must follow the permitted port and stay-area rules for your mainland entry point.

Is 240-hour transit based on passport or departure country?

Both matter in different ways. Your passport must be eligible for the 240-hour transit policy, and your route must show a qualifying departure point before mainland China and a different onward destination after mainland China.

Can I use 240-hour visa-free transit for a round trip?

Usually no. A simple round trip such as Country A to China and back to Country A normally fails the third-destination rule. The onward stop after mainland China should be a different country or region from where you arrived.

What is the difference between 30-day visa-free entry and 240-hour transit?

The 30-day visa-free entry option is mainly passport and purpose based for eligible countries. The 240-hour transit option is route based, so it asks whether you are transiting through mainland China to a different onward destination.

Is this China Visa-Free Checker official?

No. It is an independent planning tool from On the Great Wall. It gives a practical estimate using public policy sources, but final decisions belong to airlines, Chinese border inspection, embassies, consulates, and official authorities.

Why does the checker ask for my exit country?

The exit country or region is essential for 240-hour transit checks. The tool needs to compare where you arrive from and where you go next to estimate whether the route may satisfy the third-destination requirement.

Do I need confirmed flight tickets for 240-hour transit?

Yes, plan on having confirmed onward transport before you travel. Airlines and border officers may ask to see tickets, dates, hotel details, and other documents that show your route and stay length.

What should I do if the checker says my route may not fit?

Adjust the route, shorten the stay, choose an eligible port, or start a regular visa application early. If the trip is close or expensive, verify the plan with your airline and the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate before booking.