China Transit Visa Rules

What Every Passenger Should Know — Especially with Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan Involved

If you're a frequent traveller or planning a trip through China, you might have heard about the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy, a handy exemption that lets certain international passengers transit through Chinese cities without needing a visa. But like many things in international travel, China transit visa rules aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.

Let’s break down what you need to know, where people often get caught out, especially when Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are in the mix, and how to avoid problems on your journey.

What Is China’s Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Policy?

China allows travellers who are nationals of certain countries to transit through select cities without a visa, as long as they meet specific conditions. The exemption period used to be 72, or 144 hours, depending on the city. On December 17, 2024, China fully eased and improved the visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travellers to 240 hours, or 10 days, from the original 72-144 hours. Twenty-one ports of entry and exit have been added, making a total of forty-seven airports and thirteen other ports that individuals can use for visa-free transit. Foreign nationals entering China through the visa-free transit policy can travel within the 24 allowed regions and municipalities¹.

Key requirements:

• A passport valid for at east three months after you arrive in China
• A confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region
• Entry and exit through designated ports
• Departure within the allowed timeframe
• Completion of an Arrival/Departure card

For example:

A British traveller flying from London → Shanghai → Tokyo will be qualified for a 240-hour TWOV stay in Shanghai.

Where Passengers Often Run Into Trouble

Travellers get caught out when:

• The onward destination isn’t considered a “third country” under Chinese immigration rules. A “third country” is any country that is not China, or your original departure country
• They exceed the allowed time limit
• They mistakenly assume Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan counts as an international destination

How Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Complicate the Rules

Even though many international authorities treat Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan as separate travel regions, Chinese immigration sees them as part of "Greater China."

Meaning:

• A flight London → Shanghai → Hong Kong is not considered an international transit
• To use TWOV, your onward destination must be outside Greater China

Even experienced travellers - and sometimes airline staff - get this wrong. A simple misunderstanding of China transit visa rules can lead to denied boarding, missed connections, or extra costs.

How to Erase Your Visa Confusions

We all know it's best to check official visa requirements before traveling to avoid problems. However, with endless information online and instant AI answers, how do you distinguish reliable sources from outdated or incorrect information?

Good news is that you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Many airlines use TravelDoc, a trusted system that checks the latest visa and entry rules in real time. The advice is personalised just for you, and it’s been trusted by airlines for over decades. Just enter your travel document, your nationality, and your travel itinerary and TravelDoc will tell you whether you qualify for the China TWOV program!

Even better, you can use it yourself from any smart device, with just a quick click at home. No more embassy website visits, no more complicated legal jargon, and no more second-guessing. TravelDoc supports 30 languages, so you can check your travel requirements clearly and confidently wherever you’re flying next.

Overall, China’s TWOV policy can be a great way to enjoy a quick city visit without a visa, but only if you understand the fine print. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are the biggest pitfalls for travellers transiting through China, and with rules evolving regularly, relying on outdated sources can cost you your trip.

Do your research and stay informed with TravelDoc. You deserve a smooth, hassle-free, happy journey!

Written by Lucy Cai, Key Account Manager, ICTS Europe Systems