240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing (2026 Guide)

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility for 240-hour visa-free transit depends on your nationality. Many countries qualify; the list is set by Chinese immigration policy and can change. Check official sources (embassy, consulate, or official government travel pages) for your passport before you book.

You must be transiting to a third country. That means your next flight after Beijing must leave China for another country or region. Hong Kong and Macau count as third countries for this purpose.

You must have a confirmed onward ticket showing departure from Beijing (or the permitted region) within 240 hours. Without proof of onward travel to a third country, entry under this scheme can be refused.

You must enter and exit through participating ports under the 240-hour policy.

You must not have violated previous Chinese visa or entry conditions.

What Counts as a Third Country?

Your outbound flight from Beijing must go to a country or region outside mainland China. The following are valid examples:

• London → Beijing → Tokyo (Japan is a third country)
• New York → Beijing → Hong Kong (Hong Kong counts as a third country)
• Singapore → Beijing → London (UK is a third country)

The following does not qualify: London → Beijing → Shanghai → London. Shanghai is in mainland China. Your onward destination must not be another city in China. A return or continuation that only touches Chinese cities before leaving does not satisfy the third-country requirement for 240-hour transit.

In short: mainland China as your next destination after Beijing does not count. You must be leaving China for a third country or for Hong Kong or Macau.

Where Can You Travel During 240 Hours?

The permit covers Beijing municipality and permitted surrounding provinces (subject to current policy). Do not assume nationwide travel is allowed; the exact scope is set by immigration and can change.

Stay within the permitted region for the duration of your stay. Exceeding the allowed area or overstaying the 240-hour window can result in penalties and affect future entry. Verify the current permitted region before you travel.

Time Window Clarification

The 240-hour window begins upon entry as determined by immigration. The exact permitted departure deadline is shown on your entry permit. Do not assume a fixed start (e.g. midnight); the stamp defines your permitted stay. Overstaying, even by hours, can lead to refusal of future entry.

Airports Covered

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) both participate in the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme. On arrival, follow signs for the 240-hour transit counter (or equivalent). Present your passport and confirmed onward ticket to a third country. If approved, you receive a temporary entry permit authorizing stay within the permitted region.

For a step-by-step outline of the process at PEK and PKX — including immigration, onward ticket verification, and return buffer — see our Can I Leave Beijing Airport During a Layover? page.

Common Reasons 240-Hour Transit Is Refused

Understanding why entry is often refused helps you avoid the main risks.

• No confirmed onward ticket: Without proof of a booked flight to a third country within 240 hours, the officer may refuse the permit. Do not rely on verbal plans or unconfirmed bookings.
• Return to the same country without a third country: If your itinerary is effectively round-trip to your country of origin without a qualifying third-country leg (e.g. London → Beijing → London with no Hong Kong or other third country), you do not meet the transit rule.
• Airline denies boarding: Carriers can refuse to board you if they are not satisfied you will be admitted. Carry printed or digital proof of your onward ticket and check current requirements with your airline before the flight.
• Immigration discretion: Even with valid documents, entry is at the discretion of the officer. Inconsistent information, missing documents, or other concerns can lead to refusal.
• Overstaying the window: You must leave within 240 hours of arrival. Overstaying can result in penalties and affect future travel to China.

If in doubt, confirm your eligibility and documents with your airline and with official sources before you travel.

Is 240 Hours Relevant for Layovers?

For short layovers — typically under 24 hours — the 24-hour visa-free transit often applies. You do not need to rely on the 240-hour scheme for a same-day or overnight connection.

The 240-hour rule is more relevant when you have an extended stopover of several days in Beijing and plan to leave the airport. It gives you a defined window (up to 10 days) to stay in the permitted region before your onward flight to a third country.

For eligibility and process details that apply to both 24-hour and 240-hour transit, see Can I Leave Beijing Airport During a Layover?. For time feasibility and buffer logic (how much usable time you have on a layover), see the Beijing Layover Guide. For what fits into a 15-hour window, see 15 Hour Layover in Beijing.

Frequently Asked Questions