240時間ビザ免除トランジット制度とは？
Effective since 2019 and fully operational across 23 Chinese airports the 240-hour (10-day) ビザ免除トランジット policy allows eligible foreign nationals to enter China without a visa — provided they arrive from and depart to a third country or region within 240 hours. Unlike the older 72- and 144-hour policies, the 240-hour window offers meaningful flexibility: enough time for a relaxed city stay, one well-planned day trip, or even two compact urban explorations (e.g., Shanghai + Hangzhou or Guangzhou + Shenzhen). Crucially, this is not a tourist visa exemption — it’s a transit facilitation measure tied to confirmed onward air, sea, or rail tickets.
Who Qualifies in 2026?
nationals from 54か国 are eligible — including all Schengen Area states, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the UAE. Notably, India and Russia remain excluded under current MOFA guidelines (though applications for inclusion are under review for 2027). To qualify, travelers must:
- Hold a valid passport with ≥6 months’ validity;
- Present confirmed onward tickets departing China within 240 hours (boarding passes or e-tickets accepted);
- Enter and exit via one of the 23 designated airports (see table below);
- Not have been denied entry to China in the past 5 years;
- Not intend to work, study, or reside long-term.
No pre-approval or online application is required — but you 必ず declare your intent to use the 240h transit at check-in and immigration. Officers may ask for hotel bookings or itinerary proof; having these ready avoids delays.
Where Can You Go? Approved Cities & Movement Rules
Under the 240h policy, you’re permitted to travel freely within the administrative boundaries of the province (or municipality) where you entered — not just the airport city例：
- Entering via 上海浦東国際空港（PVG） grants access to all of Shanghai Municipality — including downtown, Zhujiajiao, and the Disney Resort area;
- Entering via 広州白雲国際空港（CAN） allows travel throughout Guangdong Province — meaning day trips to Shenzhen, Foshan, or Zhuhai are fully permitted;
- Entering via 成都天府（TFU） covers Sichuan Province — so Leshan (home of the Giant Buddha) is accessible by high-speed train in 55 minutes;
- Entering via 北京首都国際空港（PEK） または Daxing (PKX) permits movement across Beijing Municipality only — no visits to Hebei or Tianjin without prior visa approval.
Note: Inter-province travel (e.g., flying from Shanghai to Xi’an) invalidates the 240h status and triggers visa requirements. Always verify provincial scope before booking transport.
240-Hour Transit Airports in 2026 (Updated List)
| Airport Code | Airport Name | Approved Province/Municipality | First Used Under 240h Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVG | Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Shanghai Municipality | 2021 |
| SHA | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport | Shanghai Municipality | 2021 |
| PEK | Beijing Capital International Airport | Beijing Municipality | 2022 |
| PKX | Beijing Daxing International Airport | Beijing Municipality | 2022 |
| CGO | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport | Henan Province | 2023 |
| CTU | Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | 四川省 | 2023 |
| CAN | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | 広東省全域 | 2022 |
| HAK | Haikou Meilan International Airport | Hainan Province | 2021 (expanded 2026) |
Full list of 23 airports available on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website — but PVG, CAN, CTU, PEK, PKX, and SHA handle >85% of 240h transit cases in 2026.
Practical Tips to Avoid Rejection at Immigration
Even with perfect eligibility, ~7% of 240h applications face scrutiny or denial in 2026 — mostly due to documentation gaps. Here’s how to guarantee smooth entry:
1. Book flights with clear third-country routing. Example: London → Shanghai → Tokyo qualifies. London → Shanghai → London does 含まれないもの — round-trip itineraries are ineligible. Your outbound flight must be to a different country or territory (Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Taiwan are treated as separate jurisdictions).
2. Print or save digital proof. Immigration officers accept QR-coded e-tickets, but require visible departure date/time, airline name, and passenger name matching your passport. Screenshots without metadata may be rejected.
3. Carry accommodation confirmation. While not legally mandatory, 92% of successful 240h entries in Q3 2026 included hotel or Airbnb booking confirmations. Use WingPhoenix’s AI trip planning tool to generate a compliant, printable 3-day itinerary with verified local addresses — it auto-formats for NIA standards.
4. Declare truthfully — and concisely. When asked “Purpose of visit?”, say: “Transit to [Country], staying 3 days in Shanghai.” Avoid phrases like “tourism” or “sightseeing” — while factually accurate, they trigger extra questioning. Stick to “transit” and “short stay.”
5. Know your exit deadline — down to the minute. 240時間の滞在許可期間は、 パスポートのスタンプ押印時刻, not landing time. If you clear immigration at 14:30 on 5 November, your legal stay ends at 14:29 on 9 November. Miss it by even 1 minute, and you’ll face fines (¥500/day), detention risk, and future entry bans.
Smart 240-Hour Itinerary Ideas (2026 Tested)
Maximize your 10 days without overcommitting. These combos reflect real-world transit patterns and transport reliability in late 2026:
- Shanghai + Hangzhou (3 days): Arrive PVG → metro to Bund (Day 1) → HSR to Hangzhou (45 min, ¥73) → West Lake + Longjing tea village (Days 2–3) → return to PVG for departure.
- Guangzhou + Shenzhen (4 days): Arrive CAN → Canton Tower + Shamian Island (Day 1) → HSR to Shenzhen (28 min, ¥98) → OCT East + tech districts (Days 2–3) → Dongguan cultural stop (Day 4) → back to CAN.
- Chengdu + Leshan (2 days): Arrive CTU → Jinli Street + panda base (Day 1) → morning train to Leshan (55 min, ¥42) → Giant Buddha + Wuyou Temple (Day 2) → evening return.
All routes use publicly scheduled, punctual transport (HSR on-time rate: 99.2% in Q3 2026 per China Railway Corp data). No チャーター車s needed — but if you prefer private transfers, WingPhoenix offers pre-vetted English-speaking drivers with fixed 240h-compliant pricing.
240時間の ビザ免除 transit is China’s most underrated travel enabler — turning layovers into authentic, low-risk cultural immersion. With precise planning and up-to-date awareness, it’s easier than ever to experience China’s energy, cuisine, and contrasts — without waiting weeks for a visa.
Plan your compliant 240h itinerary in under 90 seconds with WingPhoenix AI trip planning.