Quick answer
Check your passport nationality, route, port and permitted stay area against NIA’s current policy before booking. The 240-hour arrangement is for qualifying transit to a third country or region. It is different from ordinary visa-free entry and does not make every return trip eligible.
Current source snapshot
NIA’s policy page dated 20 August 2026 lists 57 eligible countries, 65 designated ports and permitted areas in 24 provincial-level regions. It requires an ordinary passport and an onward ticket with confirmed seat and departure date. Use the full official list and permitted-area table; this page does not replace them.
Check your route, not just the number of days
A trip described as A → mainland China → B needs to satisfy the transit conditions. Do not assume that A → mainland China → A qualifies simply because it is less than ten days. Have the airline check your proposed itinerary and verify it with the relevant immigration authority if uncertain.
Before departure
- Open the official policy and find your passport nationality.
- Check that the exact arrival and departure ports are covered.
- Check the permitted stay area against every planned destination.
- Confirm the onward booking, including its date and seat status.
- Save accommodation and onward travel details offline.
Do not calculate a permitted departure deadline from this article alone. Follow the deadline and conditions recorded or communicated by immigration when entry is granted. Leave enough time for airport formalities and disruption.
During the stay
Follow the permitted area and approved activities. Work, study and news reporting may require separate approvals and an appropriate visa. Complete accommodation registration: hotels handle their guests’ registration; a private stay requires a separate arrangement.
If travel plans change
Contact the relevant immigration authority promptly rather than assuming a cancelled flight extends your stay. Ask the airline and your insurer about practical options while the immigration question is resolved.
What to verify again close to travel
Reopen the official source before departure. Nationality lists, covered ports and permitted areas may change after the date above. Keep a copy of the policy you consulted, but remember that border authorities decide admission under the applicable rules.
Sources and review
Sources reviewed on 2026-09-10. These sources support the service or policy facts; the practical fallback steps are editorial guidance. This is not a recorded field test.