Visa-free entry — check yours first

airline-refused-boarding

The airline refuses to issue your boarding pass, saying you “need a visa”

Likely cause: Check-in systems default to “Visa Required”; agents often miss the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) rules in Timatic — the most common failure, at airports OUTSIDE China.

What to do: Ask the agent to check the Transit/TWOV section of Timatic (IATA database), and show the official NIA announcement (link below). Escalate to a check-in supervisor. Refused anyway? Request a written denied-boarding record and keep your itinerary. You can also call China's 12367 immigration hotline: +86-10-12367.

round-trip-ticket

Your onward ticket flies back to where you came from

Likely cause: 240h transit requires country A → China → country B with A ≠ B. New York → Shanghai → New York is a round trip and does NOT qualify — airlines may refuse boarding, border officers may refuse entry.

What to do: Your destination must be a third country or region different from your origin. Split tickets are allowed but get scrutinized more. Only flying home? Apply for a visa instead, or change the ticket to a third country.

border-interview

The border officer asks about your trip — and can refuse entry

Likely cause: 240h transit is a temporary-entry permit issued at the officer's discretion, not a right.

What to do: Have four answers ready: why you're visiting, how many days, where you're staying (concrete address), and your onward flight number + date. Materials that contradict each other can lead to refusal — you'd stay in the transit area and fly back on the same plane.

onward-flight-slips

Your onward flight moved past the 240-hour window

Likely cause: 240h cannot be extended, and the clock starts at 00:00 the day AFTER arrival. Voluntarily rebooking past the deadline is unlawful stay: fines of ¥500/day (max ¥10,000), and serious cases can bring 5–15 days detention plus a record that hurts future visas.

What to do: Before the deadline: rebook within 240h and the permitted provinces. Cancellation/delay beyond your control? Get written proof from the airline immediately and go to the local exit-entry bureau to apply for a stay permit BEFORE the deadline. Unsure? Call 12367 first — don't wait until the airport.

airbnb-registration

Staying at an Airbnb / short-term rental

Likely cause: Hotels register automatically; other lodging must be registered by YOU within 24 hours of arrival (law on exit-entry administration, art. 39). Skipping it can mean a warning or fine (art. 76).

What to do: Take your passport, entry stamp and the exact address (landlord's ID or lease if available) to the local police station within 24 hours. In Shanghai and some cities you can register online.

when-240h-starts

You assumed 240h means “10 full days after landing”

What to do: The clock starts at 00:00 the day AFTER entry — so you actually get the remainder of arrival day plus 10 days. Don't buy a return ticket that lands on “day 10” of your own count; compute from midnight.

exit-port-and-region

You plan to exit through an airport you haven't checked

Likely cause: Since Dec 2024 you may travel across the 24 permitted provinces, but you must LEAVE China through one of the policy's eligible ports (entry and exit ports may differ). Not every port qualifies.

What to do: Check both directions against the official port list. Land-border ports have less-documented procedures — call 12367 to confirm before relying on one.

hk-macao-third-region

Flying home via Hong Kong / Macao — does that count?

What to do: Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan count as a “third region”: London → Shanghai → Hong Kong qualifies; Hong Kong → mainland → Hong Kong does not (origin = destination); Hong Kong → mainland → Macao qualifies.

work-study-not-allowed

Planning to work, study or report during the transit stay

What to do: Visa-free transit covers tourism, business meetings and family visits only — work, study and journalism require the proper visa obtained in advance.