China extends visa-free transit to 10 days for citizens of 54 countries

China has expanded visa-free transit for citizens of 54 countries, including Russia. As of today, the permitted visa-free stay has been extended to 10 days (240 hours), significantly exceeding the previous limits of 72 and 144 hours.

Key changes

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• Extension of the visa-free stay period to 240 hours
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• Expansion of the list of available entry ports from 39 to 60
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• Increase in the number of provinces open to visitors from 19 to 24
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• Exemption for Russian citizens from providing biometric data when applying for short-term visas of up to 180 days, through the end of 2025
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New entry points

The list of entry ports has been expanded to include the following airports:

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• Taiyuan Wusu (Shanxi Province)
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• Sunan Shuofang and Yangzhou Taizhou (Jiangsu Province)
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• Wenzhou Longwan and Yiwu Airport (Zhejiang Province)
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• Fuzhou Changle (Fujian Province)
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In some provinces, such as Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou, transit tourists can access the entire territory. In others, restrictions apply: for example, in Shanxi Province, only Taiyuan and Datong may be visited.

Official position

According to the National Immigration Administration, the new rules are aimed at developing international cooperation and stimulating economic growth. Further simplification of visa procedures for foreign nationals is planned going forward.

To use visa-free transit, travellers will need a passport valid for at least three months and a ticket for a flight to a third country. It's recommended to check the current requirements before travelling.

It's also worth noting that China previously exempted Russian citizens from providing biometric data when applying for a visa. This relief applies to single- and double-entry short-term visas of up to 180 days and will remain in effect through the end of 2025.