China is a major transit hub for international travelers flying to Bali, with connecting flights available through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other Chinese cities.
Depending on their nationality, flight itinerary, and length of stay, passengers may be able to transit through China without obtaining a visa in advance. Some travelers can also leave the airport, explore the city, or spend several days in China before continuing their journey to Indonesia.
China has significantly expanded its visa-free entry and transit policies in recent years. As of October 2026, travelers may benefit from several arrangements, including 24-hour visa-free transit, 240-hour visa-free transit, and visa-free entry for up to 30 days for citizens of eligible countries. Understanding the differences between these options is particularly important when booking connecting flights with separate tickets or planning to leave the airport during a layover.
Do You Need a Visa to Transit Through China?
Whether a Chinese visa is required depends primarily on the traveler’s nationality, route, and whether they intend to pass through immigration. Passengers remaining within an international transit area generally face different requirements from those who need to collect their luggage, change airports, or stay overnight outside the terminal.
China currently offers three main options for eligible international travelers:
- 24-hour visa-free transit: Available to travelers of all nationalities passing through China to a third country or region, provided they meet the conditions and remain within the designated transit area.
- 240-hour visa-free transit: Available to citizens of 57 eligible countries, allowing them to enter China and stay within designated areas for up to 10 days while traveling onward to a third country or region.
- 30-day visa-free entry: Available to passport holders from numerous countries, including many European nations, under separate visa exemption arrangements.
Travelers who do not qualify for these arrangements, or whose planned activities fall outside the permitted conditions, may need to obtain an appropriate Chinese visa before departure.
24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
China’s 24-hour visa-free transit policy applies to foreign nationals of all countries at its open international ports of entry. Travelers connecting to a third country or region can transit without a visa for up to 24 hours, provided they hold valid international travel documents, confirmed onward tickets, and remain within the designated restricted area of the airport or other port of entry.
For example, a traveler flying from Europe to Bali via Shanghai may be able to make an international connection without applying for a Chinese visa, provided the itinerary meets the transit requirements and the passenger does not need to enter mainland China.
However, passengers who need to leave the restricted transit area must apply for a temporary entry permit from Chinese immigration authorities. This may be necessary when collecting checked luggage, transferring between airports, or staying at a hotel outside the airport. Approval is not automatic, and immigration officers make the final decision.
The 24-hour policy is not limited to air travel. It also covers qualifying international connections by ship or train. Nevertheless, travelers should confirm the arrangements for their specific route, particularly when using separate tickets or connecting between different airlines.
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Who Is Eligible?
China’s former 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit arrangements have been replaced by an expanded 240-hour policy. As of October 2026, citizens of 57 countries can use this arrangement to enter China for up to 10 days while traveling onward to a third country or region.
The eligible countries include 40 European nations, among them the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Ireland. The policy also covers the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and several other countries.
To qualify, travelers must hold an eligible ordinary passport, valid for at least three months, and have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within the permitted transit period. They must also meet the entry requirements of their onward destination.
An important condition is that the journey must involve a genuine transit to a third country or region. For example, a flight from Germany to China and then to Indonesia may qualify, while a journey from Germany to China and directly back to Germany would not qualify under the same transit arrangement.
The 240-hour policy currently operates through 65 designated entry and exit ports across 24 provincial-level regions. Eligible travelers are permitted to move between approved areas, rather than being restricted to the city where they first arrived. However, travel outside the designated regions is not permitted under this arrangement.
The permitted stay is calculated from midnight following the date of entry. For example, if a passenger arrives in Shanghai on May 6 at 5:00 PM, the 240-hour period begins at 00:00 on May 7.
During the visa-free stay, travelers may engage in tourism, business visits, and visits to friends or relatives. Activities requiring specific authorization, such as employment, formal study, or journalism, are not covered by the transit exemption.
30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Eligible Nationalities
Many international travelers may not need to rely on the 240-hour transit arrangement at all. China also allows ordinary passport holders from numerous countries to enter without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business, family visits, and transit.
As of October 2026, this arrangement covers many European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Other eligible nationalities include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, and several additional countries.
For these travelers, a stopover in China can be considerably more flexible. They may be able to spend several days exploring Beijing, Shanghai, or another destination before continuing to Bali without needing to demonstrate eligibility for the 240-hour transit scheme.
However, not every European nationality is covered by the same visa exemption. The duration and validity of bilateral or unilateral visa-free arrangements may also differ. Travelers should therefore check the rules applicable to their passport before booking flights.
Most of China’s current 30-day unilateral visa exemptions are scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2026, while some nationalities are covered by different validity periods. Travelers should verify whether these arrangements have been extended before departure.
Major Chinese Airports for Flights to Bali
International travelers flying to Bali may connect through some of China’s largest aviation hubs, including:
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
- Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)
Not every airport offers the same international connections, and not every entry point is eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit program. Passengers should also pay attention to airport codes, particularly in cities served by multiple airports.
For example, Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing are separate airports, as are Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Hongqiao. An itinerary requiring a transfer between them may involve entering China, collecting luggage, and arranging ground transportation. Travelers should confirm that their nationality and itinerary permit such a transfer.
Connecting Flights, Baggage, and Airport Transfers
One of the most important considerations when booking flights through China is whether the journey is issued on a single ticket or consists of separate reservations. With a single-ticket itinerary, checked luggage may be transferred automatically to the final destination, and passengers may be able to remain within the international transit area. However, this depends on the airline, airport, and specific flight arrangements.
Separate tickets can make the connection more complicated. Travelers may need to pass through immigration, collect checked baggage, check in again for the next flight, and complete another security screening. In such cases, being eligible for visa-free transit does not necessarily guarantee permission to enter China.
Passengers should confirm baggage arrangements directly with their airlines before departure. This is particularly important when connecting between different carriers, changing terminals, or transferring between airports. Travelers flying to Bali must also ensure they meet Indonesia’s entry requirements, including any applicable visa, arrival declaration, and passport validity conditions.
Documents to Prepare Before Your Flight
Although visa-free transit reduces the amount of paperwork required, passengers should still prepare their travel documents carefully. Depending on the type of transit, immigration officials or airline representatives may request a valid passport, confirmed onward ticket, details of the complete itinerary, and proof that the traveler can enter their next destination.
For the 240-hour transit arrangement, eligible passengers must also complete the required arrival information and undergo immigration inspection. Travelers should keep electronic copies of their documents accessible offline and consider carrying printed copies of their flight reservations, particularly if their itinerary involves multiple airlines.
A passport with sufficient remaining validity and blank pages is advisable, even when the particular visa-free arrangement does not impose the same requirements as a standard visa application. The final decision on entry into China rests with the immigration authorities at the port of arrival. Meeting the published requirements does not automatically guarantee permission to leave the airport.
Practical Tips for Transiting Through Chinese Airports
China’s major international airports handle substantial passenger traffic, and immigration checks, security screening, baggage collection, and terminal transfers can take longer than expected. Travelers should allow sufficient time between connecting flights, especially when their itinerary requires passing through immigration or checking in again.
Airport signage is generally available in both Chinese and English, although navigating large terminals can still be challenging for first-time visitors. Passengers who are uncertain about their transfer should contact airline representatives or airport information staff rather than proceeding directly to immigration without understanding the requirements.
Travelers should also check airline and airport regulations concerning power banks and electronic devices, as Chinese aviation security requirements may differ from those in other countries. Internet access and commonly used international applications can also be restricted in mainland China, so downloading important travel documents and airport information before departure is advisable.
Passengers planning a longer stopover should confirm whether their visa-free status allows them to leave the airport and whether they need to arrange accommodation or transportation in advance.
Health Declarations and Border Checks
Since November 1, 2023, travelers entering or leaving China have generally no longer been required to complete the COVID-era Health Declaration Form previously used at Chinese border checkpoints. However, passengers experiencing symptoms of infectious diseases, including fever, persistent coughing, breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained rashes, may be required to report their condition to customs authorities and undergo additional health screening.
Travelers must follow the instructions of border health officials, and failure to comply with applicable health inspection requirements may result in penalties.
Where to Apply for a Chinese Visa in Bali
Travelers who need a Chinese visa can apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Sanur, Bali, located at the Grand Palace Hotel on Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 165. The center accepts applications Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and passport collection is available until 4:00 PM, excluding applicable public holidays.
Standard visa processing generally takes around four working days after the application has passed the required online review, while express processing may be available in approximately three working days. Applicants are advised to begin the online application process at least one month before their intended departure, as document review and additional requirements may take extra time.
Current application fees, required documents, and submission procedures are available on the official Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. The center can also be contacted by telephone at +62 361 4491313 or by email at denpasarcentre@visaforchina.org.
Before Booking Your Flight to Bali
Traveling through China can be a convenient way to reach Bali, particularly for passengers who want to combine their journey with a short visit to Beijing, Shanghai, or another Chinese destination. The expanded visa-free policies have made these connections more accessible to travelers from Europe and many other regions.
Nevertheless, the requirements vary according to nationality, transit duration, and flight itinerary. Before purchasing tickets, travelers should verify the current visa rules, confirm whether their connection requires entry into China, and check the baggage and transfer arrangements with their airline.
For the latest information, consult the National Immigration Administration of China and the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate, as visa-free entry policies and the list of eligible countries may change.
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