24/240-hour China Visa-free Transit Rules
Criteria | 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit | 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit |
Travel Limitations | Limited to the transit area | Limited to a region |
Eligible Nationalities | Almost all nationalities | 54 countries |
Means of Transport | Plane, ship, or train | Plane, ship, or train |
Arrival and Departure Place | Same port | Different ports within the region |
Time Calculation | Counted from arrival time | Counted from 00:00 the day after arrival |
Ports of Entry | Stay in corresponding ports | Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Dalian, Shenyang, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing, Guangdong, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, Guizhou |
Eligible Countries | All travellers with international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets | Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States |
*All information is from the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, updated November 2025. Check official sources for full details.
How to Apply for Shanghai 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Documents Required
To apply for a 24-hour visa-free transit in China, travelers must prepare the following documents:
Document | Description |
Valid passport or travel document | Must be valid for at least 3 months from entry into China |
Completed arrival and departure card | Includes personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, visa number, flight number, and purpose of travel |
Onward ticket to a third country | Must have confirmed flight details to the third country or region |
Visa for the third country (if required) | If the third country needs a visa, it must be obtained before applying for the 24-hour transit |
Process of 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
The process of applying for 24-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai is as follows:
Step | Description |
Inform airline | Tell the airline during check-in about 24-hour transit visa exemption |
Complete arrival/departure card | Fill out the card at border inspection |
Get transit visa exemption | Go to the designated area and receive a temporary stamp or sticker on your passport |
Go through customs | Collect luggage and pass through customs as usual |
Eligible Nations
Most nationals are eligible for the 24-hour visa exemption. Some exceptions apply at certain airports:
- Citizens of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Yemen must apply for a visa when transiting through Xiamen.
- Syrian citizens cannot use the exemption at Guangzhou and need a visa.
Valid Route for Shanghai 24-Hour Transit
Passengers must be travelling to a third country or region. For example, a route from the UK to China to Japan is eligible. A route from the UK to China to the UK does not qualify.
Benefits of Shanghai 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- No visa needed before flights
- Saves time and money
- Opportunity to visit the city without a visa during layovers
How to Apply for Shanghai 240-Hour Visa Free Transit
Process of 240-Hour Visa Free Transit
Step | Description |
Notify airline | Tell the airline when boarding that you plan to use the 240-hour visa-free transit. |
Fill out Arrival Card | Complete the blue Arrival Card at the airport or cruise terminal in Shanghai. |
Submit Arrival Card | Present the card at the dedicated 240-Hour Visa-Free desk. 🎉Additionally, Shanghai offers an Online Application System for 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption, which allows applicants to submit their application abroad before departure or fill it in on a self-service machine upon arrival at airports and other ports of entry. |
Online Application | You can also use the Online Application System to apply abroad or via a self-service machine on arrival. |
Obtain Temporary Entry Permit | Get a Temporary Entry Permit stamped on your passport. Inform the officer if you do not want to use your existing Chinese visa. |
Claim luggage and pass customs | Collect your luggage and go through customs and immigration. |
Start layover tour | Exit the port and begin your stay in Shanghai or other eligible provinces. |
Required Documents
- Valid passport or international travel document valid for at least three months from arrival.
- Interline or connecting ticket with confirmed departure date and seat number to a third country or region within 240 hours.
- Completed landing card for foreigners in transit.
Eligible Nations
Area | Countries |
European Schengen Visa Agreement Countries | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
Other European Countries | Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus |
American Countries | United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile |
Oceania Countries | Australia, New Zealand |
Asian Countries | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar |
* All information is from official website and may be changed by newest policy. So please check the official website before you go.
Designated 240-Hour Transit Ports
Ports of Entry & Exit
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- Shanghai Port (Passenger)
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
- Ningbo Lishe International Airport
- Wenzhou Longwan International Airport
- Yiwu Airport
- Wenzhou Port (Passenger)
- Zhoushan Port (Passenger)
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport
- Su'nan Shoufang International Airport
- Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport
- Lianyungang Port (Passenger)
Valid Transit Routes
Passengers on a single return flight back to their departure country are not eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit. The destination and departure points must be different.
Valid | Route |
Yes | UK > Singapore > Shanghai > UK |
Yes | Singapore > Shanghai > Hong Kong or Macau |
Yes | Australia > Shanghai > Hangzhou > Suzhou > Japan |
No | UK > Shanghai > UK |
All information is based on official sources and may change. Check the official website for the latest updates.
Shanghai Express: Free Shanghai Layover Tour
What Benefits You Can Get?
Trip.com Group is proud to sponsor this Shanghai layover tour and offers it completely free. You do not need to worry about transport, tickets, or internet access. Just enjoy your time in Shanghai. Here are what we offer for free:
| Benefits | Description |
Free Tour Guide | Experienced bilingual guides join the tour and provide useful information about each place. |
Free Transport | Transport is provided to and from the airport and between attractions. |
Free eSIM Card | You receive a complimentary eSIM card for mobile data throughout the tour. |
Free Attraction Tickets | Entry to popular sites such as Yu Garden, The Bund, and the Huangpu River night tour is included. |
How to Join Shanghai Free Layover Tour
【Who Can Join】
Travellers passing through Shanghai Pudong International Airport may enjoy a visa-free stay of up to 240 hours if they are from countries and regions included in China’s visa-free policy.
If your country has a visa waiver agreement with China, or if you hold a 24-hour temporary entry permit issued by the airport immigration office, you can also join the tour.
To take part in the Shanghai Express, passengers must have a layover of at least 8 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
【How to Join】
Procedure | Details |
Check Your Schedule | Choose a tour route based on your schedule and interests. |
Meeting Point | Upon arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, head to the designated meeting point for registration. |
Begin Your Hassle-free Tour | After registration, professional guides will pick you up to start your tour. |
【Meeting Point】
Please head to Shanghai Tourist Information & Service Store at 1F International Arrival Hall of Terminal 1 in Shanghai Pudong International Airport (between Gate 6 and Gate 7).
If you cannot locate the counter, please inquire with airport staff at the following address:
浦东国际机场T1航站楼1楼国际到达层, 上海旅游咨询服务小店（6、7号门之间）
Our guide will be available at the counter one hour before the tour.
Meeting Point
Shanghai Free Layover Tour Routes
Shanghai Free Layover Tour | Travel Period | Travel Routes |
Shanghai Highlights City Tour | 9:00-14:00 | Shanghai Pudong Airport-Yu Garden-The Bund-Shanghai Pudong Airport |
Strolling Under the Trees Citywalk Tour | 16:00-22:00 | Shanghai Pudong Airport- Wukang Road- Yu Garden-The Bund-Shanghai Pudong Airport |
Huangpu River Cruise Sightseeing Night Tour | 18:00-23:00 | Shanghai Pudong Airport-Huangpu River-Yu Garden-Shanghai Pudong Airport |
Top Attractions to Visit During Free Layover Tour
- The Bund 🌆 Enjoy a relaxing walk along The Bund, a famous waterfront area in Shanghai. Marvel at the beautiful skyline and historic buildings that blend Western and Chinese styles.
- Yu Garden 🏯 Experience the tranquility of Yu Garden, a traditional Chinese garden 🌳. Explore classical pavilions, rockeries, and ponds in this serene oasis away from the bustling city streets.
- Huangpu River Cruise 🚢 Hop on a cruise along the Huangpu River and witness Shanghai's vibrant nightlife 🌃. Admire iconic landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center as they light up the night sky. Get a unique view of Shanghai's stunning architecture from the river.