Mainland China Grants 10-Day Visa-Free Transit to 54 Countries

Mainland China has relaxed its transit policy for nationals of 54 countries by allowing them to travel through certain parts of the country without a visa for as long as 10 days. The National Immigration Administration announced that the measure came into effect on December 17, 2024, and will include citizens of the US, UK, France, Germany, and Australia.

Mainland immigration authorities also revealed that the new visa-free transit measure would apply to a total of 60 points entry and exit ports, with the addition of 21 places in regions such as Hainan, Guizhou, Shanxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu. The policy will only apply to visits for tourism, business, or seeing family members, and not for work, study, or media interviews.

Since last year, eligible passport holders from specific countries have been granted 15-day visa-free access to all parts of Mainland China on a trial basis, which will end on December 31, 2025. However, the transit measure — which earlier allowed stays for no longer than 72 or 144 hours — is a permanent policy.

Foreign passport holders who reside in Hong Kong and wish to make trips to the Mainland for longer than 15 days can apply for five-year multiple-entry visas that are valid for visits up to six months long. Additionally, Hong Kong permanent residents are also eligible for Mainland permits that allow multiple northbound 90-day trips for up to five years.

Header image credits: chuyu, aphotostory via Canva

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