Tianjin 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit for Flight and Cruise Passengers
Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on Febuary 8, 2025:
1. China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for 37 eligible countries, including several European nations — Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan are included. This policy is valid till December 31, 2025. Read more »
2. 240-Hour Visa Free Transit (10 days) has been lanched. 54 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 240-hour transit visa-free. Read more »
3. As of now, China has established full visa exemption agreements with 27 countries, including Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.
4. Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province is 6 days visa-free for tour groups (at least two persons) from ASEAN countries.
5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
6. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
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Do I need a visa to visit Tianjin?
Normally, foreigners have to get a China Visa to visit Tianjin as well as other destinations in mainland China. But there is a special visa-free policy certain visitors can use to travel to Tianjin without visa - the 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. If successfully approved, international transit passengers don’t need a pre-arrival China Visa to Tianjin and pay any visa application fees, on the contrary, you could get 10-day “no-visa” China tour from Tianjin. Besides, foreign cruise tour groups entered China from Shanghai may enjoy visa-free excursion to Tianjin when the cruise dock at Tianjin. More about 15-Day Visa-Free Entry to Shanghai and Tianjin for Cruise Tour Groups.
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Tianjin Huangyaguan Great Wall
Table of Page Content
Cruise Ovation of the Seas Dock at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
Under the latest policy, foreign visitors of 50+ countries holding valid international travel documents and tickets to a third country or region, are allowed to apply Transit Visa Exemption in Tianjin, Beijing and many other regions for total 240 hours.
If you will have a stopover in Tianjin by flight or cruise, check the below conditions to see whether you are qualified for 240-Hour TWOV in Tianjin.
To apply transit visa exemption in Tianjin, and then travel to other parts of China, you need to satisfy all the following requirements entirely.
Requirements include:
1. Come from one of the appointed 54 foreign countries, e.g. US, UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, Singapore, Poland, Ireland and so on;
2. Bring a valid passport or international travel document which is valid for at least 3 months;
For those who already got a China Visa, and want to use 240-Hour TWOV to enter this time, please tell the immigration officer your request when applying at port of entry.
3. Take a ticket leaving China via eligible ports within confirmed seat and date (within 240 hours);
You should prepare e-ticket or paper ticket before arrival, because it will be checked by the border immigration staff when applying 240-Hour TWOV.
4. Leave China's Mainland for a third country or region;
The visa-free policy is aimed at international transiting, so a transit route is required. A standard route must be country/region A --> Tianjin --> other permitted regions in China's Mainland --> country/region B .
5. Enter and exit China via one of the eligible ports.
Entry & Exit Ports in Tianjin ( 2): Tianjian Binhai International Airport (天津滨海国际机场, IATA: TSN), Tianjin International Cruise Home Port (天津国际邮轮母港).
Useful Links:
How to Get to & around Tianjin / Tianjin Airport & Flights / Tianjin Cruise Port
A Valid Orginal Passport
E-ticket Leaving Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region
Tianjin Binhai International Airport
At present, Tianjin’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit only applies to citizens from certain 54 foreigner countries in 4 continents in the world. US, UK, Australian, Canada, New Zealand are included. Others not on the list are not qualified to apply 240-Hour TWOV in Tianjin, so better obtain a China Transit Visa (G Visa) when transiting or get a regular China Tourist Visa (L Visa) to tour Tianjin, Beijing and else places in mainland China.
| Continent | Number | Transit Visa Free Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 39 |
Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (25):
Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. Other Countries (15): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco and Belarus. |
| America | 6 | United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the Republic of Chile. |
| Oceania | 2 | Australia, New Zealand. |
| Asia | 6 | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar. |
Attention :
1.) Nationality is merely one of the major preconditions to apply the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Tianjin. The immigration officer will decide to if permit your visa-free entry on specific circumstance.
2.) Your application would be refused if your passport is valid less than 3 months, or you had illegal stay and bad record of previous visit in China.
Useful Links:
- Download the full visa free countries list in jpg format
- How to Get A China Transit Visa
- How to Get a Visa for China: Requirements, Application Process, Fees & Tips
1. About Travel Route
Some qualified air/curise routes examples:
By Cruise: South Korea/Japan --> Tianjin --> Beijing --> Singapore
By Flight: Seoul (South Korea) --> Tianjin --> Beijing --> Bangkok (Thailand)
2. About Stay Area
With the new policy, you are allowed to travel not only in Tianjin, but also across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities within the permitted stay areass. For example, you could travel to Beijing and then visit cities like Xi’an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, as long as your total stay does not exceed the 240-hour limit.
Recommended attractions you can visit:
● Huangyaguan Great Wall, Five Great Avenues, Tianjin Ancient Culture Street and all sites in Tianjin.
● Mutianyu, Badaling Great Walls, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Beijing Hutongs and all places in Beijing.
● Jinshanling Great Wall, Shanhaiguan Great Wall and all spots in Hebei Province.
3. About Visa-Free Duration of Stay
Once get a Temporary Entry Permit at the entry port, you may stay for no longer than 240 hours. The time starts counting from 00:00 the day after arrival, not from your arrival date or the issuance date of the permit.
4. About Port of Entry and Exit
There are now 60 open ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free policy across 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi’an. You can enter China via any of these ports without a visa, as long as you meet the requirements.
Useful Links: Tianjin Transportation Guide | Tianjin Travel Maps
5. About Ticket Booking
Make sure you hold a valid ticket leaving China within 240 hours. Connecting tickets or separate tickets are both available.
Foreign Curise Tourists Transit in Tianjin
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Administrative Map (click to enlarge)
Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
Step 1 - When boarding, inform the air or ship company staff that you will apply 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Tianjin. They will deliver your request to the immigration authority at border ports before arrival.
Step 2 - Upon arrival, fill in the Arrival Card (blue version) at specialized desk, and then follow guide to 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption counter. Complete 240-Hour TWOV Application Form, and then queue up for submission. Later, submit passport, departing ticket and travel related materials to the officer.
Step 3 - After verification and checking, the immigration officer will grant you a Temporary Entry Permit stamped on your passport.
The permit will mark important information of the TWOV, including the area of stay, stay period and port of entry.
Step 4 - Must make temporary accommodation registration to local police station after checking-in within 24 hours.
If you stay in hotel, the hotel will help you register, you need to keep the registeration slip well. If stay at friend’s house, you or your host shall make the registration at the local police station in person.
Foreigner Were Applying 240-Hour TWOV at Tianjin Port
China Temporary Entry Permit
(click to enlarge)
Tianjin, a close neighbor and gateway city to Beijing, is famous as one of China’s four direct-controlled municipalities as well as the biggest port city and costal city in Northern China. Except featured local culture, history, folk art and cuisine exploration in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, transit passengers get good opportunity to fulfill long dreamed Great Wall Hiking Tour in Tianjin, Beijing or Hebei. What to do during the 10-day long transit? Find useful trip planning ideas below.
The Ferris Wheel - Eye of Tianjin
Five Great Avenues
Tianjin Layover Tours - Travel in Tianjin 1 to 3 Days
Whether you are an air traveler or cruise passenger, a quick trip to Tianjin without visa is always a good idea to catch a glimpse of typical culture and history of Northern China. 1 to 3 days are suitable to visit major landmarks of Tianjin. For one day trip, the Great Wall at Huangya Pass (a World Cultural Heritage property of over 1,000 years' history) is the top recommended. With more time, you’re suggested to visit Five Great Avenues, Italian Style Street, St Joseph Cathedral to view architectures of assembled Chinese-European styles. The Ferris Wheel - Eye of Tianjin is another highlight you can’t miss at night.
Want to visit more attractions and attend unique local activities in Tianjin? You can contact us, tell us your interests and travel ideas, we will try our best to plan a perfect itinerary for you.
Useful Tianjin Travel Guide:
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● Top Things to Do in Tianjin / Featured Activities in Tianjin / Hotels in Tianjin / Tianjin to Great Wall
Most Popular Tianjin Tours:
Travel from Tianjin to Beijing (3~6 Days)
Transferring from Tianjin to tour Beijing is the most popular travel route foreigners choose after entry from Tianjin. Firstly, you can spend 1 or 2 days on discovering essences of Tianjin. Then take a super fast intercity high speed bullet train from Tianjin to Beijing within 40 minutes’ journey. Next, you may enjoy a classic Beijing visa-free layover tour, visiting the famous Mutianyu, or Badaling Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and other spots or events to feel the magnificent capital city.
Once the stopover tour is over, you can return to Tianjin to exit China, or directly leave from Beijing, where operates much more international flights than Tianjin.
Useful Tianjin & Beijing Travel Guide:
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● Tianjin to Great Walls / Tianjin Port to Tianjin Railway Station / Tianjin to Beijing Bullet Trains
● Things to Do in Beijing / Popular Activities in Beijing / Beijing to Tianjin Bullet Trains
Most Popular Tianjin & Beijing Tours:
China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide any support you need for travel to China. No matter you are considering use 240-Hour Visa Free Transit in Tianjin, China or want to get a normal China Visa to visit Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, or more else destinations in mainland China, we are always ready to help, from pre-arrival preparation, application guide, every details required for getting a China Visa to tour service during the trip.
Please feel free to contact us to join in our top popular Tianjin & Beijing tours, or let us customize a once-in-a-lifetime trip to China for you.
Recommended Tours
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
3 Days Beijing Round Trip Highlights Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port
Tianjin International Cruise Port - Beijing - Tianjin City - Tianjin International Cruise Port
5 Days Essence of Tianjin Beijing Tour - East Meets West
Tianjin / Beijing
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