24-hour visa-free transit in China: the rule and the temporary entry permit

Under China's visa-free transit policy, a foreign passport holder who changes planes in China may stay for no more than 24 hours without a visa, if the conditions below are met. Section I of the National Immigration Administration's page "Visa-Free Transit Policies" (dated 20 August 2026) sets out these conditions, and Article 22, item (3) of the Exit and Entry Administration Law states the same 24-hour limit. If you need to leave the designated restricted area, section I says you must first obtain a temporary entry permit, and Article 23 of the Law governs that formality.

What the transit policy requires

Section I of the page says: "All open exit-entry ports in China implement this policy for nationals of all other countries around the world."

Under the same section, a foreigner transiting through China to a third country or region may stay in China for no more than 24 hours without a visa, provided that the foreigner:

• holds valid international travel documents;
• holds onward international flight, ship or train tickets with confirmed seats;
• will not leave the restricted areas of ports.

Part (II) of the page, "Eligible Ports and Permitted Stay Areas", lists the ports and areas where this applies. Check that part on the official page before you travel, because the figures on the page change over time.

What Article 22 of the Law says

Article 22 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law (English text published by the National Immigration Administration) begins: "Under any of the following circumstances, foreigners may be exempt from applying for visas". Item (3) reads:

"Hold connected passenger tickets and are in transit to a third country or region by an international aircraft, ship or train via China, will stay for not more than 24 hours in China without leaving the port of entry, or will stay in the specific zones approved by the State Council within the prescribed time limit".

The page and item (3) use different wording on the place where you must stay. The page says "the restricted areas of ports", and item (3) says "without leaving the port of entry". This article quotes each text as written and does not merge them.

Leaving the restricted area: the temporary entry permit

Section I of the page says: "For any foreigner who does need to leave the designated restricted area, a temporary entry permit must be obtained first at the immigration inspection authority of the port concerned."

Article 23 of the Law sets out the temporary entry formalities. It begins: "Where foreigners under any of the following circumstances need to enter China temporarily, they shall apply to exit/entry border inspection agencies for going through the formalities for temporary entry:"

1. Foreign seamen and their accompanying family members disembark at cities where the ports are located;
2. Persons specified in Subparagraph (3) of Article 22 of this Law need to leave ports; or
3. Foreigners need to enter China temporarily due to force majeure or for any other urgent reason.

Item (2) is the item that refers to Article 22(3). Article 23 also says: "The duration of stay for temporary entry shall not exceed 15 days."

Article 23 further provides that, for foreigners who apply for the temporary entry formalities, exit/entry border inspection authorities "may require such foreigners, the persons in charge of the transport vehicles used for such foreigners' entry or the agencies handling the exit/entry business for transport vehicles to provide necessary guaranty measures."

Questions people ask

Do I need a visa to change planes in China within 24 hours?

Section I of the page says that a foreigner transiting through China to a third country or region may stay for no more than 24 hours without a visa, provided the conditions listed above are met. Article 22(3) of the Law contains the same 24-hour limit in its own words. Confirm the eligible ports and areas in part (II) of the page before you travel.

What happens if I need to leave the restricted area?

Section I of the page says a temporary entry permit must be obtained first at the immigration inspection authority of the port concerned. Article 23, item (2) of the Law covers persons specified in Article 22(3) who need to leave ports.

How long can a temporary entry last?

Article 23 of the Law says the duration of stay for temporary entry shall not exceed 15 days.

Sources

• Visa-Free Transit Policies, National Immigration Administration
• Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (English text), National Immigration Administration

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, is not legal or immigration advice, and the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail if they differ.