Is Australia on the 240-hour list?
Yes. Australia is listed under Oceania on the NIA 57-country list dated 2026-08-20. Confirm the live page before travel.
Nationality · Australia
China 240-hour TWOV for Australia passport holders
A short, independent explainer for travelers with a Australia ordinary passport who are considering China’s 240-hour Transit Without Visa (过境免签). This is not a government site and not legal advice.
Disclaimer
Policies change. Confirm nationality, ports, stay areas, and ticket rules with the National Immigration Administration, your airline, and the Chinese embassy/consulate that covers you. NIA policy page dated 2026-08-20; site verification 2026-10-31 (research 2026-10-28).
Eligibility at a glance
High-level pattern from published NIA materials — officers decide at the port.
- Nationality: Australia is on the published 57-country 240-hour list (NIA, dated 2026-08-20).
- Onward ticket: Confirmed seats and departure dates to a third country or region (not a simple return home).
- Port: Enter and exit via a designated TWOV port (65 ports; confirm on NIA — our hub list is incomplete).
- Stay: Up to 240 hours in permitted areas; clock from 00:00 the day after entry.
- Activities: Tourism, business visits, and family visits are described as allowed; work, study, and journalism need appropriate visas.
Run the eligibility checker Read full policy basics Sample itineraries
Official sources
- NIA (EN) — Visa-Free Transit Policies / Policy Interpretation (page dated 2026-08-20; verified 2026-10-31)
- NIA (ZH) — 过境免签政策
- NIA (EN) — Dec 2024 relaxation to 240 hours
- Helpline: 12367 (+86-12367)
Also see our nationalities directory and RESEARCH.md.
FAQ for Australia travelers
Do Hong Kong or Macao count as a third region?
Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are widely treated as separate regions in traveler and airline guidance, but confirm your specific itinerary with NIA 12367 and your airline.
What about the 24-hour transit option?
A separate 24-hour visa-free transit policy applies at all open ports for nationals of all countries, usually limited to the port restricted area unless a temporary entry permit is granted.
Where should I verify ports?
Use the official NIA Visa-Free Transit Policies page. This site’s hub list is major airports only and is incomplete versus the full 65 ports.