China 240 hour visa free

Question

Hi all

Im planning a trip to China and hoping to take advantage off the 240 hour transit free option. I Think my iternery works but would like to see everyone's opinion as I would like to avoid any problems at the immigration.

My iternery is UK- Shanghai - Guangzhou- Taipei, spending roughly 7 days in china. I have a internal flight from Shanghai to Guangzhou and Guangzhou to Taipei on separate tickets.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer

The 240-hour visa-free transit (VFTF) in China allows eligible travelers to stay in certain cities for up to 10 days without a visa, provided specific requirements are met. Your itinerary—UK → Shanghai → Guangzhou → Taipei—can qualify, but there are some important points to consider to avoid problems at immigration.

Key considerations for your itinerary:

You must enter and exit through cities eligible for the 240-hour transit. Both Shanghai (Pudong or Hongqiao Airports) and Guangzhou (Baiyun Airport) are included in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
Your onward flight from Guangzhou to Taipei counts as the required ticket to a third country/territory (Taiwan), which is acceptable. Make sure the ticket is confirmed and has a clearly printed departure date.
The internal flight from Shanghai to Guangzhou is fine under this scheme, but immigration officers may ask for your full itinerary, so carry all flight confirmations and hotel bookings.
Since you are planning to stay roughly 7 days in China, this falls within the 240-hour limit (10 days), which is safe.

Additional tips to ensure smooth transit:

Have printed copies of all flight tickets and hotel bookings; some immigration counters may not fully rely on electronic confirmations.
Ensure your passport has at least six months validity.
Be prepared to explain your itinerary briefly if asked, showing that your time in China is limited to Shanghai and Guangzhou before leaving for Taipei.
Check with the airlines: Some carriers may require proof of visa-free eligibility or onward tickets before boarding, even if the VFTF applies.
Travel insurance covering the full period in China is recommended, in case of delays or emergencies.

Summary:

Your plan is feasible and should qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit, as you are entering Shanghai, traveling internally to Guangzhou, and departing to Taipei within 7 days.
Keep all documentation organized and be prepared to show it at both Shanghai and Guangzhou immigration.
Following these steps will minimize any risk of issues during entry.

With careful preparation, you can enjoy your stay in Shanghai and Guangzhou without needing a traditional Chinese visa, using the 240-hour transit policy.

China 240 hour visa free

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