1. 240‑Hour Visa‑Free Transit Policy (10‑day maximum stay, transit‑only policy)
Since December 17th, 2024, China has implemented the 240‑Hour Visa‑Free Transit policy, only available for passengers transiting China onward to a third country/region with confirmed onward international flight tickets. Eligible visitors may stay in China for up to 240 hours (i.e., ten days). People from the 55 countries listed below are eligible for this transit visa exemption:
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro ,Netherlands , New Zealan, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.
2. 30‑Day Unilateral Visa‑Free Entry Policy
Nationals of the listed 50 countries holding ordinary passports may travel directly to China for conference, tourism or business for up to 30 days, with no mandatory third‑country onward ticket required:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay.
1. The 240‑hour policy is a visa‑free transit measure, not general visa‑free entry for conference attendance. Eligibility requires travel through China to a third country/region with a confirmed onward ticket. Direct round‑trip travel between your home country and China does NOT qualify. You will need to apply for a Chinese visa in advance.
2. Always verify the latest official visa rules via the National Immigration Administration of China:
240‑hour visa‑free transit policy entry
Unilateral 30‑day visa‑free entry
ICRT2027 recommends that attendees apply for a visa as soon as travelling is being anticipated. Visa application requirements may change from time to time. Please refer to the embassy website of your country for the latest updates.
Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China
Mutual Visa Exemption List
FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China
Chinese Visa Application Service Center
China Online VISA Application (COVA)