The 24-hour visa-free transit (TWOV) allows travelers of almost all nationalities to transit through mainland China without a visa, provided they are en route to a third country or region and their stay in China does not exceed 24 hours.
Back to the overview of all China visas.
Who Qualifies
- Air, train, and cruise ship passengers from any country
- Travelers transiting through mainland China for no more than 24 hours before heading to a third country or region (not returning to the country of origin)
- Route must be: Country A → China → Country C (A and C must be different; Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan count as separate regions)
Requirements
- Passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry
- Confirmed onward air, cruise, or train ticket with seat and date, departing within 24 hours of arrival
- Visa for the third country or region (if required)
- Must leave China within 24 hours of scheduled arrival time
Eligible Transit Routes
- Example: USA → Beijing → Hong Kong (eligible)
- Multiple stops in China are allowed as long as you depart China within 24 hours (e.g., USA → Beijing → Shanghai → South Korea)
Airports with Simplified Transfer
At these 9 major airports, eligible passengers with onward interline tickets can transfer internationally without border inspection:
- Beijing Capital Airport
- Beijing Daxing Airport
- Shanghai Pudong Airport
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
- Shenzhen Bao’an Airport
- Chengdu Tianfu Airport
- Xi’an Xianyang Airport
Leaving the Airport During Transit
- To leave the airport (for sightseeing, changing terminals, or claiming luggage), apply for a 24-hour visa-free entry permit at the 24/240-hour visa-free transit counter after landing.
- Steps:
- Follow signs to the visa-free transit counter
- Fill out an Arrival/Departure Card
- Receive a temporary entry permit stamp or sticker in your passport
- Claim luggage (if needed) and go through customs
How the 24-Hour Period Is Counted
- The 24-hour period starts from your scheduled arrival time in China and ends at your scheduled departure time.
Cost
- There is no fee for the 24-hour visa-free transit; it is not a visa but a free entry policy.
Important Notes
- If you lack any required document, your route does not qualify, or you have a record of overstaying or previous visa refusal, your application may be denied.
- If denied, you must apply for a regular transit visa in advance.
- For longer transits, check if you qualify for the 144/240-hour visa-free transit policies.
Differences vs. 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
| 24-Hour TWOV | 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit |
|---|---|
| All nationalities | Only 55 countries |
| Available in most Chinese cities | Available in select cities/regions |
| By air, cruise, train | By air, cruise, train (some ports only) |
| Counted from scheduled arrival time | Counted from 00:00 the day after entry |
| Multiple stops allowed | Multiple stops allowed |