✈️ 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Chengdu
Great news for friends and family planning a trip to Chengdu. Thanks to the 10‑day visa‑free transit permit, eligible visitors can explore the city, experience Sichuan culture and savour local food — all without applying for a visa.
🌍 Who Is Eligible?
As of August 2026, citizens from 57 countries can take advantage of this policy.
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, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
Americas (6):
USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania (2):
Australia, New Zealand
Asia (9):
Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.
🚆Where Can You Travel with the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
Thanks to this policy, travelers can visit 11 cities within Sichuan Province (Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, Ziyang).
Additionally, they may explore cities in 24 other provinces where the same policy applies.
Importantly, the 240 hours begin at 00:00 the day after arrival, giving visitors nearly 10 full days to explore.
📄 What Documents Are Required?
There are four different documents required when applying for the 240-hour visa-free transit to Chengdu. Make sure you have them all when arriving in Chengdu, or you may not be allowed to enter.
1) Your passport, valid for at least 3 months at the time of application
2) A confirmed air ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours. You must fly from Country A to Chengdu and then to Country C. Domestic flights within Mainland China are not eligible.
3) A visa for the third country, if required.
4) An arrival/ departure card. These are available from flight attendants or in the arrival hall.
✈️ How to Apply for the Visa-Free Transit
To apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit, you have to check in as usual onto your flight, but have the aforementioned documents to hand.
1.When boarding your flight, inform the flight attendant that you’re applying for the 240-hour visa-free transit.
2. Fill in an arrival/ departure card. You can ask a flight attendant for one, the airport arrival hall also has them.
3. Apply for the 240 hours visa-free transit upon arrival.
4. Finally, collect your luggage, pass through customs, and enjoy your stay!
🌟 It’s that simple!
🏨 Where to Register Your Stay
Foreigners with a 240-hour transit visa-free permit must register their accommodation according to Chinese laws and regulations.
For those staying in hotels in China, the hotels must register in accordance with the relevant public security regulations applicable to the hotel management.
Foreigners who have accommodation in private homes must register with local public security administrations within 24 hours after check-in. Either personally or with the help of their hosts.
⏳ Need More Time or Need to Leave the Approved Area?
If you need to stay longer or travel outside the approved zone due to an emergency, visit the local PSB office to apply for an extension or a temporary stay permit.
❓ Have Questions?
For help, call the 24-hour hotline: 12367
You can also consult the 12367 Online Service via the official government site.
👉 For more information, visit the National Immigration Administration’s official site.
📍 Chengdu in 240 Hours: What to Do?
Although you’re technically meant to stay in Chengdu, it’s possible to hire a driver to visit nearby attractions like Mount Emei or the Leshan Giant Buddha.
Here’s how to make the most of your stay:
🧺 Explore Chengdu’s markets
📸 Join a local photography tour
🐼 Visit pandas and historic temples
👉 Don’t miss our article on Must-See Tourist Attractions in Chengdu
FAQ
1) How to calculate that 240 hours to avoid any overstay?
After you enter China, start from the next day 0am for 10 days. For example, you enter Chengdu on anytime at 1st Jun 2025, then you can stay maximum till 12pm at 11th Jun 2025.
If visitors are unable to depart on time due to unavoidable reasons, such as flight cancellation or treatment of sudden disease, they need to apply for a visa from Chengdu Municipal Entry&Exit Bureau (EEB).
2) Any Restrictions of the 240 hours Visa-free Transit?
Transit visa regulation does not apply to passengers who travel on a single return flight (e.g., Hong Kong – Shanghai – Hong Kong), which means A-China-A is NOT applicable, A-China-B is applicable. For example:
USA – China – Japan – USA is applicable.
USA – China – USA is NOT applicable
UK – Korea – China – UK is applicable.
UK – China – HK is applicable.
3) With 240 hours Visa-free Transit, which city can I visit?
With the 240 hrs transit visa, You can make cross-province visits in any of “Permitted Stay Areas” listed below.
4) Can I enter China from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (apply the transit visa), take a train to Beijing and finally leave China from Beijing?
Yes, based on the new policy, Both Shanghai & Beijing are in the list of “Permitted Stay Areas”. So this travel plan is available.
5) Can I enter China from shanghai (apply the transit visa) and go to XinJiang?
No, XinJiang is not in the list of “Permitted Stay Areas”.
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List of Ports and Allowed Areas for Visa-Free Transit Travelers under the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
