Q&A on Visa-free Transit Policy

Q1 Which nationalities are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit?
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy of China is currently applicable to citizens of 54 countries in the world: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, ROK, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco and Norway.

Q2 Which ports in China open to the entry of foreigners who meet the visa-free transit criteria?
China has 60 ports allowing the entry of foreigners eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit policy, including Beijing Capital International Airport, Tianjin Binhai International Airport and Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport.

Q3 Which ports in Sichuan allow the entry and exit of the 240-hour visa-free transit foreign travelers?
Currently, foreign travelers eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit can enter and exit via Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.

Q4 How is the stay duration calculated under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy?
The stay duration starts from 00:00 on the day following the date of entry, which allows the travelers to stay for 240 hours within the administrative regions of 11 cities in Sichuan: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, and Ziyang. For example, when a foreigner enters Chengdu at 00:00 on October 1, he/she enjoys a stay in the administrative regions of the above mentioned 11 cities until 24:00 on October 11.

Q5 What conditions need to met for foreign travelers to apply for a 240-hour transit visa-free stay at the ports?
Foreign travelers must meet the following conditions simultaneously when they apply for a 240-hour transit visa-free stay at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport:
(1) They must be citizens of one of the 54 countries included in the 240-hour transit visa-free policy.
(2) They must hold valid international travel documents and meet the requirements for an entry to the third country or region.
(3) They must hold connecting tickets to a third country or region within 240 hours or relevant proof, fill out the Temporary Entry Card for Foreigners, and accept inspection and inquiry by the immigration and exit-entry border authorities.
According to relevant regulations, border inspection authorities may not issue temporary entry permits to individuals whose international travel documents are valid for less than three months, or who have been denied a stamp by Chinese visa authorities, or those who have records of illegal entry, illegal residence or illegal employment in China within the past five years.

Q6 Do the foreign travelers from an eligible country coming to Chengdu and then returning to their home country enjoy the 240-hour transit visa-free policy?
As the transit visa-free policy is for foreigners transiting to a third country or region, their departure and destination must be in different countries. For example, this policy does not apply to anyone from the United States to transit through Chengdu back to the United States. However, a traveler from the United States is eligible to transit through Chengdu to go to Singapore.

Q7 Are foreign travelers allowed to visit other cities in China after they obtain the 240-hour transit visa-free permit at the ports in Chengdu?
Foreigners who have obtained a 240-hour transit visa-free permit in Chengdu are allowed to travel to the permitted areas of 11 cities in Sichuan province, or to travel to cities of the other 23 provinces (autonomous regions or municipalities) where the policy applies.

Q8 What are the regulations regarding accommodation registration for foreign travelers entering with a 240-hour transit visa-free permit?
Foreigners with a 240-hour transit visa-free permit must register their accommodation according to Chinese laws and regulations. For those staying in hotels in China, the hotels must register in accordance with the relevant public security regulations applicable to the hotel management. Foreigners who have accommodation in other places other than hotels must register with local public security administrations within 24 hours after check-in, either personally or with the help of their hosts.

Q9 What should foreign travelers do if they need to stay in China beyond the prescribed time limit or outside the permitted area due to urgent and reasonable causes or force majeure?
They must provide relevant documents and apply in advance for a stay permit from the local exit and entry department of the public security administration at or above the municipal level.

Q10 What should foreign travelers do if they have any inquiries about the 240-hour transit visa-free policy?
They can dial the 24-hour service hotline of the 12367 platform or consult the 12367 Online Service on the official website, both of which will offer timely replies and solutions.
Source: HomeinChengdu