China Expands 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 57 Countries: Complete List

China Expands 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 57 Countries: Complete List
China increases its 240-hour visa-free transit program to 57 countries. Here's what international travelers should know, along with a complete list of qualifying nationalities.
China has expanded its 240-hour visa-free transit system to 57 countries, including Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, effective August 20, 2026. Eligible travelers can now stay in certain areas of China for up to ten days without requiring a visa.
However, there is one major caveat for Indian travelers: India is not on the list. An Indian passport holder traveling via China cannot consequently use the 240-hour transit exemption and will likely require the required Chinese visa.
How Does the 240-Hour Transit Rule Work?
Eligible foreign nationals must have an ordinary passport and a confirmed, dated onward ticket to a third country or region. Entry is available at 65 approved ports in 24 provinces, regions, and municipalities, including key gateways like Beijing and Shanghai.
The policy permits for short-term activities such as tourism, business, and visiting friends and family. Work, study, and news reporting still require the appropriate visa or prior clearance.
For Indian travelers connecting through China, the rules remain different. A passenger from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru utilizing China as a transit point cannot rely only on the 240-hour exemption unless the policy includes their nationality.
Complete List of 57 Eligible Countries

Europe: 40.
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, Monaco, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, and Norway.

Americas: 6.
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

Oceania: 2.
Australia and New Zealand.

Asia: 9
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Kyrgyzstan.
China's expansion is part of a larger trend in which countries are progressively employing longer transit exemptions to convert connecting travelers into short-term tourists, while India remains outside of this arrangement.

What Has Changed Since 2024?
China implemented the increased 240-hour, or 10-day, transit duration in December 2024, replacing the previous 72-hour and 144-hour choices and expanding the number of qualifying ports and localities. Indonesia was eventually added in 2025, followed by Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam in August 2026.
The recent extension increases the number of qualifying countries from 55 to 57, as well as the number of participating ports to 65.
Travunited Take:
We consider this as beneficial for travelers from qualified nations, however Indian passport holders now benefit nothing. When this exemption does not apply, Indian citizens must still get a Chinese transit visa.