Visa-Free Transit: Qualify Before You Fly
Steps to confirm eligibility and use the visa-free transit program without overstaying.
No published figure yet. The authority does not publish this cost in a form we could verify and quote, so this guide covers the procedure only: what to bring, in what order, and where it goes wrong. We will add the figures the moment there is a source for them.
In order
- Check your nationality — Look up the current approved list for visa-free transit on the official immigration website.
- Verify your passport validity — Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure from China.
- Book flights with onward tickets — Arrange entry and exit flights that meet the transit requirements, with a ticket to a third country.
- Confirm participating ports — Check that your arrival and departure airports or seaports are on the transit program list.
- Prepare documents — Have your passport, onward ticket, and any visas for your next destination ready.
- Go to the transit counter — At immigration, proceed to the visa-free transit lane and present your documents.
- Check your exit date — Inspect the stamp in your passport and note the exact date by which you must leave China.
- Leave before the permit expires — Depart China on or before the stamped date to avoid penalties.
This guide walks you through the process of using China’s visa-free transit policy. You must verify your own eligibility before booking, as rules change. Follow these steps in order to avoid problems at immigration.
Confirm Your Eligibility
Check that your nationality is on the approved list for the visa-free transit program. The list is published by China’s immigration authority and can change. You must hold a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (not your country of origin). Your itinerary must include entering China from one country and departing to another, with your entire stay within the allowed period.
Plan Your Itinerary
Book flights that arrive at and depart from ports that participate in the visa-free transit program. Not all airports and seaports are included. Ensure your onward ticket is to a destination outside mainland China, and that you have a visa or entry permit for that destination if required. Keep your travel documents and tickets ready for inspection at immigration.
At the Border
Go to the visa-free transit counter at immigration, not the regular foreigner lanes. Present your passport, onward ticket, and any required documents. The officer will stamp your passport with a transit permit. Check the exit date on the stamp; you must leave before that date. Do not overstay. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban from entering China.
During Your Stay
You are allowed to stay only in the area specified by the transit policy, which is usually the administrative region where you entered. Check the boundaries. You cannot work or study during this transit stay. It is for tourism or short visits only. Keep your passport with you at all times, as police may ask to see it.
Confirm before you act
Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-11-09; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-11-09, next review 2027-05-08. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.