China's Transit Visa-Free Policy: What Travelers Should Know

China has expanded its transit visa-free policy in recent rounds of updates, adding more eligible ports and extending the allowed stay. The policy is designed to encourage international travel and make stopovers easier for transit passengers.

Key points

• Eligible travelers can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa while in transit
• Applies at dozens of ports of entry across most major regions of mainland China
• Covers passport holders from more than 50 countries, including the United States

For travelers with a layover in China, this is great news — you can turn a connection into a short side trip and sample China's culture and cuisine along the way. Always confirm the latest rules with your airline and the Chinese embassy before departure.