China Travel Decisions · China Travel
Can I Use 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing?
The 240-hour clock and the permitted area are the two details travelers most often get wrong.
Quick answer: Yes, if you are a national of one of the 57 eligible countries, hold an ordinary passport valid for at least three months, and hold an onward ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat departing within 240 hours. You enter through Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport, apply for the temporary entry permit at the 240-hour visa-free counter, and may stay in the permitted Beijing area for up to 240 hours, counted from 00:00 the day after entry.
When does this rule apply?
- I hold a passport from one of the 57 eligible countries: You may apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit permit at a designated port, subject to the other conditions.
- I have an onward ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours: The ticket must have a confirmed date and seat; this is a core eligibility condition, not an optional extra.
- My passport validity is at least three months: A valid international travel document with at least three months' validity is required, and you must meet the entry requirements of the third country or region.
- I arrive at Beijing Capital or Beijing Daxing airport: Both are listed eligible ports for the Beijing permitted stay area; apply at the 240-hour visa-free counter in immigration inspection.
- I want to travel outside Beijing during the 240 hours: The Beijing port entry lists the permitted stay area as Beijing; travel beyond the permitted area is not covered by this Beijing entry.
- I plan tourism, business, visits or family reunion: These activities are allowed within the designated area during the stay; work, study and news reporting still require prior approval and an appropriate visa.
- I already hold a China visa but do not want to use it: Tell the immigration officer at the counter, per Beijing official guidance, so the transit permit is handled as intended.
What each Beijing transit document or step does
| Item or step | What it is | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Onward ticket to a third country or region | Proof of onward travel with confirmed date and seat within 240 hours | Does not by itself grant entry; the immigration authority reviews the application |
| Arrival/Departure Card | Temporary entry form completed on arrival | Does not replace the 240-hour permit application at the counter |
| 240-hour temporary entry permit | Permit stamped in your passport at the visa-free counter | Does not extend beyond the permitted Beijing area or the 240-hour limit |
| China visa you already hold | A separate document you may choose not to use | Does not automatically apply if you ask for transit instead; tell the officer |
Counting the 240-hour stay from a Beijing arrival
Starting point: A traveler enters through Beijing Capital International Airport under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
How to work it out: The visa-free stay period is counted from 00:00 the day following the day of entry, and the maximum stay is 240 hours (10 days).
Result: The traveler's 240-hour clock starts at 00:00 the day after entry, not at the landing time, and the onward ticket must depart within that 240-hour window.
The exact last permitted day depends on the entry date; the immigration authority makes the final decision on site.
What to do
- Confirm your nationality is on the 57-country list and your passport is an ordinary passport valid at least three months.
- Book or hold an onward ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat departing within 240 hours.
- At boarding, inform the airline you are using 240-hour visa-free transit.
- On arrival at Beijing Capital or Beijing Daxing, complete the Arrival/Departure Card.
- Go to the 240-hour visa-free counter in immigration inspection and apply for the temporary entry permit.
- Collect your luggage and go through customs, then leave the airport within the permitted Beijing area.
Before you commit
- Check that your nationality appears on the current 57-country list, not an older 55-country list.
- Check that your passport is an ordinary passport with at least three months' validity.
- Check that your onward ticket goes to a third country or region, not back to the country you came from, and has a confirmed date and seat.
- Check that your planned departure is within 240 hours counted from 00:00 the day after entry.
- Check that your plans stay within the permitted Beijing area for this entry.
Have these ready
- Ordinary passport valid at least three months
- Onward ticket to a third country or region with confirmed date and seat within 240 hours
- Completed Arrival/Departure Card
Helpful guides for these steps
Next action
Immigration inspection at Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport
How to confirm it worked
A temporary entry permit is stamped in your passport at the 240-hour visa-free counter, and you pass through immigration inspection with it.
If this does not work
If the counter cannot process your transit application, ask the immigration officer to explain which condition is not met; do not assume entry is granted until the permit is issued.
At the 240-hour visa-free counter
您好，我想申请240小时过境免签。这是我的护照、前往第三国的联程机票和入境卡。
Hello, I would like to apply for 240-hour visa-free transit. Here is my passport, my onward ticket to a third country, and my arrival card.
Other questions
Can I leave Beijing during my 240-hour visa-free transit?
The Beijing port entry lists the permitted stay area as Beijing. Travel beyond that area is not covered by a Beijing entry under this policy.
When does my 240 hours start?
The visa-free stay period is counted from 00:00 the day following the day of your entry, not from your landing time.
Can I work or study during the 240 hours?
No. Tourism, business, visits and family reunions are allowed within the designated area, but work, study and news reporting still require prior approval and an appropriate visa.
Official sources
Last checked 23 October 2026.
- National Immigration Administration — Visa-Free Transit Policies
- Beijing Haidian — 240-hour visa-free transit application requirements
- Beijing Haidian — Details of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy
Decision boundary: The immigration inspection authority at the port of entry makes the final decision on your application through an on-site review; this page does not override that decision.
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