2025 Shenzhen 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Requirements, Application, Layover Tours & Tips
Shenzhen is the first special economic zone in China, which is located in Yangtze River Delta, southeastern Guangdong Province and borders Hong Kong SAR in the south. To encourage trade development, China has introduced many exit & entry preferential policies in Guangdong Free-Trade Zone and in the whole Guangdong Province. All the visa-friendly measures apply to Shenzhen as well as Guangzhou, including the recently issued 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit, Visa on Arrival (Port Visa), 6-Day Visa-Free Entry, etc. This article will give you useful and oevrall guide about Shenzhen’s 240-Hour TWOV foreign travelers most frequently asked.
Do I Need A Visa for Shenzhen?
Normally foreign visitor should apply and get a Chinese Visa to visit Shenzhen (China) before depature. However, different visa exemptions has been operated in Shenzhen, so please check who can visit Shenzhen without visa first. With qualification, certain visitors can also apply Shenzhen Visa on Arrival.
Window of the World in Shenzhen
30 Days Visa Free - 25 Countries Mutual Exemption of Visa with China
Citizens of below countries holding a valid ordinary passport are exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit, or transit in the territory of the other contracting party, with a single stay not exceeding 30 days and a cumulative stay not exceeding 90 days within 180 days.
Eligible countries include Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia; 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.
30 Days Visa Free - 38 Eligible Countries
China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for 38 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, Brunei, and Japan are included.
Ordinary passport holders of the above-mentioned countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 30 days until December 31, 2025. Read more »
China 240-Hour Visa Free Transit
Citizens of 54 countries who hold an ordinary passport with at least 3 months of validity and an onward flight, train, or cruise ticket to a third country (or region) within 240 hours can transit in designated areas of 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China’s Mainland for up to 240 hours without a visa.
With the new policy, you are allowed to travel across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities within the permitted stay areass. For example, you could fly into Beijing and then visit cities like Xi’an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, as long as your total stay does not exceed the 240-hour limit. Read more »
The new policy allows foreign visitors from 54 countries to visit Shenzhen, Guangzhou and any city in Guangdong as well as many provinces and cities in China's Mainland visa free for 240 hours, if he or she holds valid international travel document and connecting ticket to a third country or region. Tourists can exit China from 30+ Guangdong provincial ports including airports, railway stations, ferry ports and land ports or eligible ports in other cities of China's Mainland.
It extends the previous 72 hours TWOV to 240 hours and increases ports of entry and exit, giving transit passengers more time to discovery multiple charm of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. No visa fees will be charged under this rule.
● Hold passport or international travel document with a validity of at least 3 months;
● Come from apponited 54 foreign countries in 4 continents;
● Take connecting (flight or train, cruise ship) tickets with confirmed date (departing within 240 hours) and seat to a third country or region.
Note: 1.) Hong Kong and Macau are considered as the third regions from Mainland of China. 2.) Sucessfully getting transit visa exemption in Shenzhen, you may visit Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan and all cities in Guangdong as well as other permitted regions in China for not exceeding 240 hours. 3.) Visa-free time counts from 00:00 the day after arrival.
Documents to Apply Shenzhen 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Qualified Visa-free Transit Countries List (54)
| Continent | Number | Transit Visa Free Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 39 |
Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (24):
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. |
Tips : You are free to download the full visa free countries list in jpg format.
1. Travel Route
The 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption is only applicable for international transits through China's Mainland. So your last departure city shall be different from onward destination.
Eligible Routes Examples: Country (Region) A > Shenzhen > other permitted regions of China > Country (Region) B
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > Shanghai > Thailand is OK
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > Guangzhou > Hong Kong (or Macau) is Ok
● Hong Kong > Shenzhen > Macau is Ok
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > Guangzhou > Hong Kong is Ok
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > U.S.A is NOT OK
2. Stay Area
With the new policy, you are allowed to travel not only in Shenzhen, but also across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities within the permitted stay areass. For example, you could fly into Zhenzhen and then visit cities like Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, as long as your total stay does not exceed the 240-hour limit.
3. Port of Entry
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.
Entry Port in Shenzhen: Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport / Shekou Port.
So far, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has opened international (regional) flights to Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, Seoul, Bangkok, nearly 50 counties in 5 continents abroad. To better service transit passenger, immigration authority has set up special check channels and counters, and placed many obvious guide signs, posters, lightboxes, etc. Get to & around Shenzhen >>
4. Visa-Free Period
The 240 hours calculates from the 00:00 the day after arrival. It’s a good chance to enjoy an in-depth layover tour in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other destinations in Guangdong.
5. Booking Ticket
Please guarantee that you already booked ticket to onward country or region, because you’re required to present it to the officer when applying at the airport. After verification, a Temporary Entry Permit will be issued to allow your leaving out of airport.
Transit Foreigner was Applying Shenzhen TWOV
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Step 1 - When boarding, inform the air company staff that you will apply for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shenzhen. They will deliver your request to the Immigration Authority at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.
Step 2 - After landing, fill in the Arrival Card (blue version) at specialized desk, and then follow signs to the “Exclusive Channel for 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption”. There you shall wait and submit application with passport, connecting flight ticket to onward destination, and related travel itinerary.
Step 3 - The Exit and Entry Immigration officer will seal a Temporary Entry Permit on your passport to grant your short-term entry to Shenzhen and Guangdong after verification.
Step 4 - Go through customs and immigration formalities, and you can leave Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, stay in Shenzhen, or transfer from Shenzhen to Guangzhou, Zhuhai and other cities within administrative region of Guangdong, for a 10-day China tour.
Applicants was Lining up at Shenzhen Airport
Sample of Temporary Entry Permit
In Shenzhen, 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit is also available, that means you could have a Shenzhen layover tour for 1 to 6 days. What’s the major highlights to visit? Here are best travel ideas for you.
Shenzhen 1 Day Trip: for a quick sightseeing trip, you are recommended to travel to Window of the World and China Folk Culture Village and Shenzhen Museum.
Shenzhen Classic Tour: 2 to 3 days are suitable for main scenic spots in Shenzhen, covering more sites like Diwang Mansion, Spendid China, etc. Shopping and tasting Cantonese Food are must-do in the local.
Shenzhen Guangzhou (Guangdong) Tour: Shenzhen serves as an important gateway city to explore Guangdong. Extending further trip to other popular destinations in Guangdong lets you experience different cityscape, culture, history and folk customs. It’s suggested to witness stunning modern skyscrapers ( Canton Tower), visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, enjoy Lion Dances in Foshan, photo Kaiping Diaolou in Jiangmen, etc.
Learn more about How to Plan a Shenzhen Tour >>
China Folk Culture Village in Shenzhen
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 visa support & help you need to travel to China. ( How to Get A Visa for China) Except Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Kunming, etc also offers 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit, and Guilin, Harbin, Changsha are transit visa exempted for 240 hours. International transit travelers may take advantage it to experience different kinds of landscape, culture and history of China without applying a Chinese Visa. Know more cities and guide about China 240-Hour Visa-free Transit>>
Please feel free to contact us to join in our most recommended Shenzhen tours, or let us customize a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you.
Our Singapore Tour Group Visisted Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou
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More Guide of Shenzhen Visa & Transportation
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- Hong Kong to Shenzhen
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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.
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4 Days Guangzhou Shenzhen Explorer Tour by Bullet Train
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Questions & Discussions
Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.
Yes, Japan is qualified as the third country, and Taiwan is the third region. They are both qualified to the 24/144 Hours Transit Free without Chinese Visa.
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