China Visa Checker

Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in your country. You'll need: a valid passport (6+ months), completed visa application form, recent passport photo, flight and hotel bookings, and travel itinerary. Processing takes 4–5 working days (standard). Expedited service (2–3 days) is available for an extra fee. Citizens of the US, Canada, and the UK can get 10-year multi-entry visas.

The 144-hour (6-day) transit visa-free policy allows nationals of 54 countries to transit through China without a visa when travelling to a third country. You must enter and exit through designated ports, stay within the allowed area (24 provinces/65 ports), and have a confirmed onward ticket. The 240 hours are counted from 00:00 the day after arrival, giving you effectively up to 7 days.

If you stay airside and don't pass through immigration, you generally don't need a visa for a layover. However, if you want to leave the airport transit area, you'll need either a transit visa-free permit (if eligible) or a visa. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu all have 144-hour transit policies. For same-day connections staying in the international transit area, no visa is needed.

We update this tool as new policies are announced. China has been rapidly expanding visa-free access in 2024–2026, including new unilateral visa-free trials for several European and American countries. Always verify with the nearest Chinese embassy or visa centre before making travel arrangements. This tool provides guidance — final entry decisions are made by Chinese immigration authorities.