240-hour visa-free transit (57 countries)

China allows citizens of 57 countries to enter visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) when in transit to a third country. This is the policy many short-term medical visitors use for consultations, check-ups and minor procedures.

Visa rules change. The authoritative source is the National Immigration Administration (NIA). This page summarizes the policy as published (2026-08-20) on the NIA's official page — check it before booking travel.

The essentials

Who: citizens of the listed 57 countries (list below).
How long: up to 240 hours (10 days). Per the NIA announcement the stay is counted from 00:00 the day after the day of entry — plan departure with margin, and confirm the current official text before travel.
Where: enter and exit through designated international ports (airports, land and sea ports across the approved provinces/municipalities), and stay within the permitted geographic range of your entry port.
Condition: you must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (different from your origin) leaving within the 240 hours. Return to your origin country does not qualify.

Eligible countries

As listed by National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) — official source, verified 2026-11-04. List shown in official order:

AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBosnia and HerzegovinaBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaMonacoMontenegrothe NetherlandsNorth MacedoniaNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSerbiaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited KingdomCanadaUnited StatesArgentinaBrazilChileMexicoAustraliaNew ZealandBruneiIndonesiaJapanKyrgyzstanQatarSingaporeSouth KoreaUnited Arab EmiratesVietnam

Notes for medical visitors

The 240-hour clock leaves room for a consultation, tests and a follow-up, but not for planned surgery with recovery — that needs a proper visa (M or S2 depending on purpose).
Hospitals will register you under your passport; bring it to every appointment (see seeing a doctor).
Travel health insurance that covers direct billing or assistance is strongly advised (see insurance & payment).

Policy history: Current national list as published on the official policy page; the policy has expanded from 54 (Dec 2024) to 57 countries (Aug 2026).

This page is navigation information, not legal advice. Where this summary and the NIA's official text differ, the NIA text governs.

Last reviewed / data verified: 2026-11-04. All facts on this page link to their official sources.