50+ Countries Can Enter Shanghai Visa-Free for 240 Hours
Hey, China travel lovers 🌍✈️ If you’re planning a short stopover in Shanghai, here’s something many travelers still don’t know:
The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days) for passport holders from over 50 countries.
That means you can stay in Shanghai and nearby areas for up to six days without applying for a Chinese visa, as long as you don’t leave the permitted region. What makes this policy even better is that it includes many countries that don’t qualify for China’s 15-day or 30-day visa-free entry, so there’s a good chance your passport is eligible.
10 days is actually plenty of time to experience the real Shanghai, from skyline views and street food to museums, neighborhoods, and nightlife, especially if you plan your trip well 🥳
🌍 Who’s Eligible? (Regions & Countries Table)
Below is a breakdown of eligible countries by region. Check if your passport is on the list 👇
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Schengen Area | Austria 🇦🇹, Belgium 🇧🇪, Czech Republic 🇨🇿, Denmark 🇩🇰, Estonia 🇪🇪, Finland 🇫🇮, France 🇫🇷, Germany 🇩🇪, Greece 🇬🇷, Hungary 🇭🇺, Iceland 🇮🇸, Italy 🇮🇹, Latvia 🇱🇻, Lithuania 🇱🇹, Luxembourg 🇱🇺, Malta 🇲🇹, Netherlands 🇳🇱, Norway 🇳🇴, Poland 🇵🇱, Portugal 🇵🇹, Slovakia 🇸🇰, Slovenia 🇸🇮, Spain 🇪🇸, Sweden 🇸🇪, Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
| Other European Countries | Albania 🇦🇱, Belarus 🇧🇾, Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦, Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Croatia 🇭🇷, Cyprus 🇨🇾, Ireland 🇮🇪, Monaco 🇲🇨, Montenegro 🇲🇪, North Macedonia 🇲🇰, Romania 🇷🇴, Serbia 🇷🇸, Ukraine 🇺🇦, United Kingdom 🇬🇧 |
| Asia | Brunei 🇧🇳, Japan 🇯🇵, Qatar 🇶🇦, South Korea 🇰🇷, Singapore 🇸🇬, United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 |
| Americas | Argentina 🇦🇷, Brazil 🇧🇷, Canada 🇨🇦, Chile 🇨🇱, Mexico 🇲🇽, United States 🇺🇸 |
| Oceania | Australia 🇦🇺, New Zealand 🇳🇿 |
How It Works
In simple terms, if you’re flying in from one of the eligible countries, you can enter China through approved ports such as Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
To qualify, you must:
- Have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (not the one you came from)
- Leave China within 240 hours
- Stay within the permitted area during your visit
When you arrive, just present your passport and back flight ticket to immigration officers. If everything checks out, you’ll be granted visa-free entry and you’re good to go, no visa needed.
And it’s not just Shanghai. Several other cities in China also offer similar 240-hour visa-free transit policies. For the full list of cities and official rules, check here the detailed policy released by the National Immigration Administration of China.