China Arrival Card And 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit For Americans (2026)

China has made two changes that matter a lot to American travelers. First, the paper arrival card has moved online, so you can submit your entry details before you land. Second, China’s visa-free transit policy now lets US citizens spend up to 10 days in the country without a visa, as long as they are continuing on to a third country.

This guide covers how the China arrival card works, how Americans can use the 240-hour visa-free transit, and why your onward ticket is the most important document for that trip.

Part 1: The China Arrival Card

What it is

China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) introduced an online arrival card on November 20, 2025. Foreign travelers can now fill in their entry details digitally before arrival instead of completing a paper form at the airport. It applies to arrivals by air, land and sea.

The arrival card is an entry declaration, not a visa. Holding a visa or using a visa-free policy does not remove the need to complete it.

Who needs it

Most foreign travelers entering mainland China, whether on a visa or visa-free, need to submit an arrival card. That includes transit passengers who leave the airport’s restricted area under the 24-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit rules.

How much it costs

Nothing. The NIA does not charge for the arrival card. Ignore any site asking for payment.

Where to fill it in

• The NIA’s official online service platform
• The NIA 12367 mini-program inside WeChat or Alipay
• The official QR code displayed at ports of entry

What you will be asked

• Passport details and nationality
• Flight or travel details
• Your entry basis: a visa number, 30-day visa-free entry or 240-hour visa-free transit
• Your address in China
• Purpose of visit and contact details

If you cannot fill it in online, paper forms and on-site options remain available at ports, but doing it ahead of time saves queuing.

Part 2: Do US Citizens Need A Visa For China?

For an ordinary round-trip vacation, yes. China has a unilateral visa-free policy allowing citizens of dozens of countries to stay up to 30 days, but the United States has not been on that list. Americans visiting China and returning to the US directly still need a tourist (L) visa, applied for through China’s visa application service centers in the US.

There is one important exception: visa-free transit.

Part 3: The 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit For Americans

US citizens are among the nationalities eligible for China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit. According to the Shanghai municipal government, citing the NIA, the policy covered nationals of 57 countries as of August 20, 2026, with 65 eligible ports of entry across 24 provinces and regions.

The key rule: a third destination

You must be transiting. That means arriving from one country and leaving for a different one. Flying US to Shanghai and back to the US does not qualify. Flying US to Shanghai, then on to Seoul, Tokyo or Bangkok does. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions for this purpose, so continuing to either of them qualifies.

Requirements

• A US passport valid for at least three months beyond your arrival date
• A confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, departing within 240 hours, with a confirmed date and seat
• Arrival through one of the designated ports
• Staying within the permitted regions for your port of entry
• A completed arrival card

How the 240 hours are counted

The clock starts at midnight after your arrival day. If you land at 4:00 pm on June 1, your 240 hours begin at 00:00 on June 2, and you must leave before midnight at the end of June 11.

How to use it

1. Tell the airline at check-in that you plan to use 240-hour visa-free transit. They will check your onward ticket.
2. On arrival, follow the signs for visa-free transit at the border.
3. Show your passport, onward ticket and arrival card.
4. Answer any questions about your plans honestly.

Why Your Onward Ticket Is Critical

For the 240-hour transit, the onward ticket is not a formality. It is the basis of the whole permission. Airlines are expected to confirm that you have it before you board, and border officers will look at it on arrival. A booking that is missing, unclear or not confirmed for a date within the window can mean being refused boarding or entry.

Make sure your onward booking:

• Is in your name exactly as on your passport
• Goes to a third country or region, not back where you came from
• Leaves within 240 hours of the start of the count
• Can be verified with the airline

Our guides on checking a flight PNR and proof of onward travel explain what makes a booking hold up to inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the China arrival card mandatory?

Most foreign travelers must submit one, either online before arrival or at the port.

Can I visit China for 10 days without a visa as an American?

Yes, if you are transiting to a third country or region, arrive through an eligible port, and hold a confirmed onward ticket departing within 240 hours.

Can I fly US to China to US on the transit policy?

No. The next destination must be a third country or region.

Can I travel around China during the 240 hours?

Only within the permitted regions linked to your port of entry. Check the NIA’s current list before planning your route.

Does the arrival card replace a visa?

No. It is a free declaration you complete in addition to whatever entry basis you are using.

Before You Fly

China’s visa and transit rules have changed several times since 2024. Check the NIA’s announcements and the US State Department’s China page shortly before your trip. Then lock in your onward flight, fill in your arrival card, and enjoy up to 10 days in China without a visa.