Cross province travel using TWOV 240 hr visa

Question

I would be entering china through Guangzhou airport for canton fair. Thereafter I want to visit supplier in Xiamen which is outside Guangdong province.. the government link says cross province travel is permitted but the table also gives permitted areas for each province.. so I am not clear whether cross province travel is permitted.. if anyone has already travelled cross province please can you confirm that ? Also I want to exit to Hongkong by train from Shenzhen. Is that exit route allowed and which specific exit ports can I use for that train journey? Again many blogs suggest to use only ferry and flight rather than train. Many thanks in advance

Answer

The 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy (often called “240-hr TWOV”) does allow cross-province travel in mainland China — that is, once you enter through a designated port and receive the temporary entry permit, you may move between approved provinces/regions during your stay.

Here’s a breakdown with respect to your specific itinerary (enter via Guangzhou → visit Xiamen → exit via Shenzhen/Hong Kong) and what you should watch out for:

1. Cross-province travel (Guangdong → Fujian (Xiamen) → Guangdong) :

The policy text states that “foreign nationals entering China through the visa-free transit policy can make cross-province travels within the allowed areas for transit travellers.”
Since Guangdong and Fujian are both provinces included in the list of permitted regions for the 240-hour policy, in principle you may travel from Guangdong to Xiamen (Fujian) during your stay.
Make sure your entry port (Guangzhou Baiyun) is one of the designated entry ports, and you have onward travel to a third country or region after China. Also ensure that your exit port is eligible.

2. Exit route via Shenzhen → Hong Kong by train :

You must ensure the exit port you use is listed as an allowed departure port under the 240-hour policy. Some land border train/rail crossings may *not* be eligible.
For example, an exit from mainland China to Hong Kong by train rail-border crossing has conflicting guidance: one forum says “railway exit to Hong Kong is eligible” under the policy. However, others note that many land/train crossings are *not* eligible for the 240-hour transit permit.
You may want to use an exit port clearly listed in the official policy as eligible (e.g., airports or designated ports) to avoid risk. Many users caution using train exit to Hong Kong unless the specific station is approved.

Recommendation & things to check:

Before booking your full itinerary, verify that Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (your entry) and your intended exit port (Shenzhen border or the train station’s Hong Kong link) are both on the official list of entry/exit ports for the 240-hour policy. Check the most recent list published by the National Immigration Administration or official Chinese immigration website.
Ensure your departure from China is to a *third country or region* (for example Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, etc.), not back to your origin. The route must be “A → China → B” with B ≠ A.
Carry confirmed tickets for onward travel (to the third country) and your entry ticket (to China). This will be requested when you arrive.
If you plan to exit via Hong Kong by train, consider using a well-recognized port like Hong Kong West Kowloon Station (if listed) or another approved crossing rather than less-clearly listed train crossings. Confirm the current status of that exit.

Bottom line: Your plan (enter Guangzhou → visit Xiamen → exit via Shenzhen/Hong Kong) *can* be valid under the 240-hour TWOV, provided all the entry/exit ports are eligible and you maintain the required “transit to a third country/region” condition. However, because of varying information on train exits to Hong Kong, I would recommend using a clearly approved exit port (possibly via Shenzhen airport or another approved port) to minimise risk of being refused. Double-check the official port list and consult the local immigration counter if needed.

Cross province travel using TWOV 240 hr visa

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