The landscape of international travel is constantly evolving, and the latest advance to watch is the China visa-free transit update. As of November 2025, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) of the People’s Republic of China introduced a suite of new measures that significantly expand visa-free transit options and streamline entry procedures for eligible foreign travellers. This update presents fresh opportunities for travellers and travel agencies alike — especially those arranging multi-leg itineraries that include a stop-over in China. In this article, we’ll break down the key changes, explore who is eligible, and provide practical advice for leveraging the new policy in your travel planning.
What is the China visa-free transit update all about?
One of the most significant shifts in China’s immigration policy is encapsulated in the China visa-free transit update. Simply put, eligible travellers can now enjoy longer stays, more entry ports, and digitised arrival procedures—without a prior visa—so long as their itinerary meets specific requirements. These changes reflect China’s broader push to open up its borders, enhance cross-border mobility, and stimulate tourism and business travel.
The update includes:
- Expansion of the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy to more entry ports.
- Additional ports in Guangdong Province designated for the 240-hour scheme.
- An online arrival card system for foreigners entering China, effective from 20 November 2025.
- A 24-hour visa-free direct transit policy at selected airports, also expanded.
- Clearer rules for stay, transit, and exit requirements under this updated framework.
Why the China visa-free transit update matters for travellers and agencies
For travel professionals—such as agency The Seven Dream—and their clients, the China visa-free transit update offers several key advantages:
- Enhanced flexibility: With more ports and longer transit durations, clients can build richer stop-over experiences in China without needing a full tourist visa.
- Competitive edge: Offering stop-over travel via China becomes more viable and attractive—helping differentiate your itineraries.
- Reduced paperwork: The move to an online arrival card simplifies the process and reduces friction at entry.
- New destination marketing: China becomes more accessible, so promoting it as a transit or mini-tour destination is timely and relevant.
Key features of the update
Extended 240-hour visa-free transit
Under the China visa-free transit update, travellers arriving from one country and departing to a third country can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) in certain regions of China without applying for a visa in advance. This significantly improves upon earlier 72- or 144-hour limits. What’s more, the update increases the number of eligible entry ports to 65 across 24 provinces, so travellers have greater flexibility.
Added ports in Guangdong for 240-hour transit
As part of this update, five additional ports in Guangdong Province—namely Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal, Hengqin Port, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Zhongshan Port, and West Kowloon Station Port (Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link)—have been designated as entry ports under the 240-hour scheme from 5 November 2025. This expands the options for stop-over routing in the Pearl River Delta region.
Online Arrival Card for foreigners
Effective 20 November 2025, the NIA introduces an online arrival card system as part of the China visa-free transit update. Foreign travellers may fill in their entry data via the official website, app (“NIA 12367”), WeChat or Alipay mini-programs, or by scanning a QR code at the port. Paper forms remain available for those who cannot complete the online version. This digital shift boosts convenience and modernises the arrival process.
24-hour direct transit exemption
Another dimension of the update is an expanded 24-hour visa-free direct transit scheme. Travellers who transit through certain airports en route to a third country and stay within the airport zone for up to 24 hours may bypass full immigration inspection altogether. This option is ideal for very short stop-overs.
Who is eligible under the China visa-free transit update?
Eligibility under the China visa-free transit update rests on several key criteria announced by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) :
- Nationals of one of the 55 eligible countries for the 240-hour scheme.
- Valid international travel document (passport) with sufficient validity.
- A confirmed onward ticket/break-in-itinerary to a third country or region (not returning to origin) within the allowed timeframe (24 or 240 hours).
- Entry via designated ports listed under the scheme—now 65 for the 240-hour option.
- No prior disqualification (past visa refusal, illegal stay, etc) as outlined in the policy.
Note: The 24-hour direct transit option may apply more broadly but still requires meeting transit-to-third-country conditions.
Practical tips for travel agents and clients
When promoting or managing itineraries under this China visa-free transit update, keep the following in mind to ensure a smooth process:
- Check airline policies: Some carriers may not recognise transit without visa rules—confirm with the airline regarding boarding eligibility under the transit scheme.
- Verify ports of entry and exit: Only designated ports qualify; your client’s route must include one. Use the updated list of 65 for the 240-hour plan.
- Ensure third-country onward travel: Clients must depart China to a third country (not back to origin). If not, the transit exemption may not apply.
- Confirm document validity: Ensure passports have adequate remaining validity (typically at least three months).
- Advise on online arrival card: Inform clients of the digital arrival card option starting 20 November 2025—encourage them to fill it out in advance.
- Stay within permitted travel area: Although the scheme allows internal travel in defined zones, leaving the permitted area or exiting via non-designated ports risks policy breach.
- Illustrate tour-stop opportunities: With up to 10 days, a stop-over in China becomes more than a lay-over—it can be a micro-trip. Promote city visits, regional tours or business side-visits.
- Highlight value: The Seven Dream clients, emphasise how this scheme adds value to multi-destination itineraries—“stop in China without visa”.
- Update marketing materials: Use this policy change as a selling point (e.g., “China now offers up to 10 days visa-free transit via 65 ports”).
- Monitor changes: Immigration policies evolve—make sure to stay updated as extensions or further ports may be added.
Use cases & itinerary ideas
The China visa-free transit update unlocks interesting itinerary possibilities:
- A traveller flying from Pakistan to Australia might route via Guangzhou Pazhou, pause 5 nights in Guangdong, then continue to Sydney—all under the 240-hour rule.
- A UK citizen with a connecting ticket London → Shanghai → Tokyo could stay in Shanghai/nearby provinces up to 10 days without a separate tourist visa.
- A business traveller from Canada heading to Singapore may transit via Beijing Capital Airport, use the 24-hour direct transit option for a quick meeting or site visit.
- A family touring Southeast Asia can insert a mini-holiday in Chengdu or Yunnan on their way from Doha to New Zealand, thanks to the 240-hour transit provision.
These scenarios demonstrate how embedding China into wider travel plans becomes simpler and more cost-effective.
Conclusion
The China visa-free transit update marks a major milestone in China’s border and travel policy. With extended durations, more ports and a simplified digital arrival process, this is a real opportunity for savvy travellers and forward-thinking travel agencies like The Seven Dream to deliver distinctive offerings. Whether you’re arranging a quick stop-over or a rich multi-city mini-trip to China, this policy change gives you a competitive edge and adds tangible value for your clients. Remember to verify eligibility, guide clients through the process, and highlight the benefit of seamless transit without a full tourist visa.
By proactively incorporating these changes into your travel packages, you position your agency as up-to-date, globally connected and ready to deliver premium experiences in an evolving travel world. The next time you craft an itinerary or set up a social-media post, lead with the China visa-free transit update — because your clients should know they can do more than just fly through China: they can stay, explore and enjoy.