63% of Shanghai foreign arrivals use China visa-free policies and 240-hour stays
| July 2025 | 391,122 |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 467,000 |
China replaced its 72- and 144-hour transit schemes with a 240-hour option on Dec. 17, 2024, then expanded coverage in November 2025, giving eligible transit passengers up to 10 visa-free days.
Visa-free entry dominates July arrivals
Shanghai recorded 467,000 foreign arrivals in July 2026, up 19.4% from a year earlier. Of those, 296,000 or about 63%, entered through visa-free entry or the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection reported.
The July numbers extend a strong first-half showing. More than 2.046 million foreign travelers entered China through Shanghai under the two routes during the first six months of 2026, accounting for more than 60% of the city’s foreign arrivals.
Nationally, visa-free entries reached 17.8 million during the first half, a 30.6% year-over-year increase, according to China’s National Immigration Administration.
The 240-hour route requires a third destination
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy covers passport holders from 55 countries traveling through 65 designated ports in 24 provincial-level regions. Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Hongqiao airports participate.
Transit passengers must hold a confirmed ticket leaving within 240 hours for a third country or region. A London-Shanghai-Tokyo itinerary can qualify; London-Shanghai-London can’t. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as third regions.
Separate unilateral visa exemptions allow eligible nationalities to visit without a transit itinerary. Those arrangements run through at least Dec. 31, 2026. Travelers planning longer stays or local employment still need the appropriate status under China’s residency rules.
Transit travelers must check routes before departure
Travelers relying on the 10-day transit window need to verify their passport eligibility, arrival port and onward routing before departure. They must carry a confirmed onward ticket and remain within the regions permitted for their entry point.
The policy charges no application fee and doesn’t require an advance visa. Immigration officers issue a temporary entry permit on arrival when the traveler and itinerary meet the rules.
Frequently asked questions
How long can eligible travelers stay in China under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy?
Which airports in Shanghai participate in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy?
Does the 240-hour visa-free transit policy require a third destination?
Do Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as third regions for China’s 240-hour transit policy?
Is there an application fee for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy?
What should travelers check before using the 10-day transit window in China?
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