240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai: Ports, Area and Rules (2026)

Short answer: Shanghai is a designated entry point for China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit: arrive at Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) with an onward ticket to a third country and you can stay up to 10 days within Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang (so Suzhou and Hangzhou are in). Verified 24 October 2026.

Designated ports	Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)
Permitted area	Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang (so Suzhou and Hangzhou are in)
Maximum stay	240 hours (10 days), counted from 00:00 the day after entry
Who qualifies	57 nationalities: check your passport

Official source for the 240-hour transit rules: the National Immigration Administration (English site).

What to bring

A passport valid for your whole stay (6 months' validity is recommended).
A confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, departing within 10 days. Returning to the country you came from does not count.
Fill in the arrival card online before you land; at immigration, ask for the 240-hour transit stamp.

If your passport has 30-day visa-free entry, you don't need transit rules at all: see visa-free entry and 240-hour transit explained and rules by country.

Once you're in: Shanghai for first-time visitors covers the airport, metro, payments and which sights need booking.

FAQ

Is Shanghai a 240-hour visa-free transit port?

Yes. Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) are designated ports for the 240-hour transit policy.

How far can I travel from Shanghai on 240-hour transit?

You must stay within Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang (so Suzhou and Hangzhou are in). Leaving that area needs a visa.

Who qualifies for 240-hour visa-free transit?

Citizens of 57 countries, flying on to a third country or region (not back to where they came from) within 10 days. Check your passport in the visa-free checker.

Next steps for your trip

1. Fill in the arrival cardOnline, free, within 72h before landing 2. Get a China eSIMGoogle, WhatsApp & Instagram keep working · affiliate link 3. Set up AlipayLink your Visa or Mastercard before you fly Stuck? Ask a real personWhatsApp / WeChat · paid help from $15

Last verified 24 October 2026. Sources: National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) [1] . Rules change; confirm with the National Immigration Administration or your airline before you fly.