Does visa-free transit and the Arrival Card work at a land port?

24-hour transit: every open port, all nationalities

The National Immigration Administration states that all open exit-entry ports in China run the 24-hour transit policy for nationals of every country. If you transit through China to a third country or region you may stay up to 24 hours without a visa, provided you hold valid travel documents and onward tickets with confirmed seats and do not leave the port's restricted area. That covers a land or rail port as much as an airport.

Source: National Immigration Administration, P.R.C. (en.nia.gov.cn) — Visa-Free Transit Policies (policy interpretation) (source policy-interpretation page (eligible-ports table on the page is an image); read August 8, 2026)

240-hour transit: 55 countries, 65 ports, 24 provinces, 10 days

For nationals of 55 countries (including the United Kingdom, the United States and 40 European countries) who need to transit through China to a third country or region, entry is visa-free through any of 65 designated open ports across 24 provinces, for a stay of up to 10 days (240 hours) — provided they hold valid travel documents and onward tickets with confirmed seats and departure dates.

Source: National Immigration Administration, P.R.C. (en.nia.gov.cn) — Visa-Free Transit Policies (policy interpretation) (source policy-interpretation page (eligible-ports table on the page is an image); read August 8, 2026)

The condition that decides it: transit to a third country

Both transit policies require transit to a third country or region and an onward ticket — they are not a general visa-free entry. Permitted activities are travel, business, visits and family reunions; work, study or news reporting still need the appropriate visa. So the policy is not a free pass to enter the mainland and return.

Source: National Immigration Administration, P.R.C. (en.nia.gov.cn) — Visa-Free Transit Policies (policy interpretation) (source policy-interpretation page (eligible-ports table on the page is an image); read August 8, 2026)

Yes — the land and rail ports are named

From 5 November 2025 five more ports — Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal, Hengqin Port, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Zhongshan Port and West Kowloon Station of the Express Rail Link — serve as 240-hour visa-free-transit entry ports, raising the total from 60 to 65. So the land and rail ports a Hong Kong / Macau-based visitor uses are in the official scope, with the same third-country onward-ticket condition.

Government portal reproducing the National Immigration Administration measures, not the regulator's own page: Beijing Municipal Government English portal (english.beijing.gov.cn), reproducing the National Immigration Administration's 3 November 2025 measures; page marked 'Source: www.gov.cn' — China Expands Visa-Free Transit & Digital Entry Options for Foreign Travelers (reproducing the NIA's 3 November 2025 measures) (source announcement dated 3 November 2025; measures effective 5 and 20 November 2025; read August 8, 2026)

The online Arrival Card applies at a land port too

From 20 November 2025 foreigners may fill in their entry information online before arriving — via the NIA website, the government service platform, the NIA 12367 app, or WeChat / Alipay mini-programs, or by scanning a QR code. Anyone who cannot submit online may complete it on arrival at the port's immigration inspection site, including by filling in a paper Arrival Card. The same process applies at a port whether you fly or cross by land.

Government portal reproducing the National Immigration Administration measures, not the regulator's own page: Beijing Municipal Government English portal (english.beijing.gov.cn), reproducing the National Immigration Administration's 3 November 2025 measures; page marked 'Source: www.gov.cn' — China Expands Visa-Free Transit & Digital Entry Options for Foreign Travelers (reproducing the NIA's 3 November 2025 measures) (source announcement dated 3 November 2025; measures effective 5 and 20 November 2025; read August 8, 2026)

Two Arrival-Card exemptions that touch this crossing

Of the seven Arrival-Card exemptions, two matter here: non-Chinese nationals holding Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, and foreigners making 24-hour direct transits without leaving the designated port areas, do not complete the Arrival Card. An ordinary foreign visitor entering the mainland at a land port does.

Government portal reproducing the National Immigration Administration measures, not the regulator's own page: Beijing Municipal Government English portal (english.beijing.gov.cn), reproducing the National Immigration Administration's 3 November 2025 measures; page marked 'Source: www.gov.cn' — China Expands Visa-Free Transit & Digital Entry Options for Foreign Travelers (reproducing the NIA's 3 November 2025 measures) (source announcement dated 3 November 2025; measures effective 5 and 20 November 2025; read August 8, 2026)

Does visa-free transit work at a land port from Hong Kong or Macau?

Yes, at named ports and with conditions. From 5 November 2025, West Kowloon Station, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Hengqin, Zhongshan and Guangzhou Pazhou are named 240-hour visa-free-transit entry ports, and the 24-hour policy runs at every open port for all nationalities. But both require you to be transiting to a third country or region with an onward ticket — it is not a general visa-free entry.

Can I use visa-free transit for a day trip from Hong Kong and back?

Not necessarily. Transit requires an onward ticket to a third country or region, and no official page we opened says a Hong-Kong-to-mainland-and-back pattern counts as 'transit'. If you only want a there-and-back day trip, check the visa or permit rules instead of relying on the transit policy.

Do I still fill in the online Arrival Card at a land port?

Yes, unless you are exempt. From 20 November 2025 you fill it in online before arriving, or on a paper card at the port. Non-Chinese holders of Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, and 24-hour transit passengers who do not leave the port area, are exempt; an ordinary foreign visitor entering at a land port is not.

How many days does 240-hour transit give me?

Up to 10 days (240 hours), for nationals of 55 countries, through any of 65 designated ports across 24 provinces — provided you hold valid travel documents and an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and departure date.