In December 2024, China updated the visa-free transit program, increasing its duration and expanding its geography. However, many tourists still have questions about the proper use of this service. Together with the Russian Express tour operator, we have prepared a cheat sheet on the use of transfers in China.
Transit through China is a popular travel format among Russians. Due to attractive flight prices, connecting flights of Chinese airlines in many destinations, especially Asian ones, are becoming more popular than direct routes.
Many tourists want to stop in this country as part of their travels, using the right to visa-free transit.
Since December 2024, the possibilities of visa-free transit to China have expanded. The Russian Express says that tourists are actively interested in the new rules of transit through China. For many, this is an additional bonus to a budget flight.
"In addition to the favorable prices for flights, tourists can explore an additional country within the framework of one trip. With the new rules of visa-free transit, Russians have new opportunities for a more in-depth acquaintance with China. Along with Beijing and Shanghai, travelers will be able to see other popular cities in the country," the Russian Express emphasizes.
NEW RULES FOR VISA-FREE TRANSIT. HOW TO USE IT?
Changes in the rules of visa-free transit relate to the duration and geography of tourists' stay. From December 2024, Russians can enter China without a visa through any of the 60 checkpoints in 24 provinces and municipalities (see the table below), as well as stay in China for up to 240 hours, instead of the maximum previously 144. You can always check the transit conditions on the official website of the National Immigration Administration of China.To use visa-free transit through China, you must have a passport valid for at least three months and air tickets to a third country with a departure date within the visa-free transit period. You also need to have a confirmation of your hotel reservation for the duration of your stay in China. The time of the visa-free stay will be calculated from 00:00 the next day after the day of entry.
Communication with immigration officers can take place without knowledge of a foreign language. In China, many people, including airport workers, use an online translator to communicate. You just need to make sure that the Internet is connected.
You should not count on free wi-fi at airports. Of course, major airline companies have it, but there may be overlays. The most reliable option is e-SIM. It turns out to be cheaper than roaming from a mobile operator and all the usual services work. The price guide is 3 thousand rubles for 10 GB of Internet, 20 GB – 4.9 thousand rubles.
Upon exiting the transit zone to the city, a tourist's passport will be stamped or a sticker with a Temporary Entry Permit will be pasted on it. It will indicate the dates of entry and departure from the country and the airport of arrival.
It's worth remembering: The final decision on granting visa-free transit through China is made by a specific border guard officer.
VISA-FREE TRANSIT CONDITIONS FOR DIFFERENT PROVINCES OF CHINA IN 2025
In some regions of China, visa–free transit trips are allowed throughout the province, in others - only visits to certain cities. Tourists can also travel between visa-free provinces (that is, you can fly to one and fly out of the other).Below is a table with the provinces that are subject to visa–free transit and the terms of use.
| Provinces and municipalities | Points of entry to China | The territory of visa-free transit |
| Beijing Municipality | Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX) airports | municipality Beijing |
| Tianjin Municipality | Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN), Xingang Port | municipality Tientsin |
| Hebei Province | Shijiazhuang Zhengding Airport (SJW), Qinhuangdao Seaport | the whole province |
| Liaoning Province | Dalian Zhoushuizi (DLC) and Shenyang Taoxian (SHE) Airports, Dalian Seaport | the whole province |
| Shanghai Municipality | Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) International Airports, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal | Shanghai Municipality |
| Guangdong Province | Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), Jieyang Chaoshan (SWA), Nansha Port, Shekou Port International Airports | the entire province (departure is possible from any terminal in the province) |
| Jiangsu Province | airports Nanjing Lukou (NKG), Sunan Shuofang (WUX), Yangzhou Taizhou (YTY), Lianyungang Port | the whole province |
| Zhejiang Province | Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), NingboLishe (NGB), WenzhouLongwan (WNZ), Yiwu (YIW) airports, Wenzhou and Zhoushan seaports | the whole province |
| Anhui Province | Hefei Xinqiao (HFE), Huangshan Tunxi (TXN) airports | the whole province |
| Fujian Province | airports Fuzhou Changle (FOC), Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN), Quanzhou Zhejiang (JJN), Wuyishan (WUS), Xiamen Seaport | the whole province |
| Shandong Province | Jinan Yaoqiang (TNA), Qingdao Jiaodong (TAO), Yantai Penglai (YNT), Weihai Dashuibo (WEH) airports, Qingdao Seaport | the whole province |
| Henan Province | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) | the whole province |
| Hubei Province | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH) | the whole province |
| Hunan Province | Changsha Huanghua (CSX) and Zhangjiajie Hehua (DYG) airports | the whole province |
| Hainan Province | Haikou Meilan (HAK) and Sanya Phoenix (SYX) International Airports | the whole province |
| Chongqing Municipality | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) | Chongqing Municipality |
| Guizhou Province | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (KWE) | the whole province |
| Shanxi Province | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (TYN) | It is allowed to stay in the cities of Taiyuan and Datong |
| Shaanxi Province | Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) | the whole province |
| Heilongjiang Province | Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) | It is allowed to stay within Harbin |
|
Jiangxi Province |
Nanchang Changbei International Airport (KHN) | It is allowed to stay in the cities of Nanchang and Jingdezhen |
| Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region | Nanning Wuxu (NNG), Guilin Liangjiang (KWL), Beihai Fucheng (BHY), Beihai Port International Airports | Visa-free transit is valid in 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi) and Laibin |
| Sichuan Province | Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) and Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) International Airports | Visa-free transit is valid in the cities of Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan and Ziyang.) |
| Yunnan Province | Kunming Changshui (KMG) and Lijiang Sanyi (LJG) International Airports, Mohan Railway Station | Visa-free transit is valid in 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, Lijiang |
Please note that this press release is based on materials provided by the company. AK&M Information Agency shall not be held liable for its contents, nor for the legal and other consequences of its publication.
