Visa Free Entry China 240 Hours

Question

We're travelling to China from London on 2nd March arriving 3rd March in Xi'an 16:15 connecting to Guangzhou landing 21:40. We are then leaving Qingdao for Taipei at 09:40 on 14th March

How strict is the 240 hours? We are just over as no direct flights on any other days to Taipei; will this be an issue?

Any help appreciated!

Answer

The 240-hour visa-free transit (VFTF) in China allows travelers from eligible countries to stay in certain cities or regions without a visa for up to 10 days. It is generally strictly enforced based on your arrival and departure times, so being slightly over the limit can potentially cause issues at immigration.

Key points regarding the 240-hour VFTF:

The 240-hour period starts from your first entry point into China and ends when you leave through the designated port of exit.
If your itinerary exceeds 240 hours, even by a few hours, Chinese immigration officers may require you to apply for a regular visa or adjust your travel plans.
Extensions are not typically granted for the 240-hour visa-free entry, so planning to stay within the allowed timeframe is crucial.

In your case:

Arrival in Xi’an on 3rd March at 16:15, connecting to Guangzhou at 21:40.
Departure from Qingdao to Taipei at 09:40 on 14th March.
Calculate the total hours carefully: from first entry in Xi’an to exit in Qingdao. If it slightly exceeds 240 hours, there is a risk of being denied entry or facing complications at immigration.

Options to consider:

Contact the Chinese consulate or embassy before travel to clarify whether your specific itinerary qualifies under the 240-hour rule.
Consider adjusting your departure from Qingdao to fall within the 240-hour window if possible, e.g., taking an earlier flight.
If adjustment is not feasible, applying for a regular tourist visa for China in advance would be the safest option to avoid potential issues.

Summary: The 240-hour rule is monitored strictly, and immigration may not allow overstays even by a small margin. For peace of mind, either adjust your schedule to fit within 240 hours or obtain a standard visa before your trip.