Beijing Expands 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to Attract More International Visitors

visa • 3 May 2026

**Beijing Expands 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to Attract More International Visitors** Beijing's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit scheme has been broadened to include passengers from 55 countries, allowing seamless entry through Capital and Daxing airports without a visa for short stays. According to a May 2, 2026, report highlighted by CCTV+, this update builds on China's unilateral visa-exemption list for 50 countries, making it easier for time-pressed travelers to explore the capital during layovers or brief trips. VisaHQ notes that digitized on-arrival services further streamline the process, turning Beijing into a convenient first stop on Asian itineraries. American travelers can leverage this policy alongside the existing 144-hour transit without visa option available at various ports, enhancing flexibility for multi-destination trips. While primarily drawing business visitors, the scheme supports tourism by offering up to 10 days visa-free for eligible transit passengers—check your nationality's eligibility via official channels before booking. Travelandtourworld.com reports this as part of a broader visa-free push fueling inbound tourism surges, positioning China as an accessible hub for 2026 adventures.

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