Question

Asked by Helen from australia | Oct. 22, 2025 18:45

About:240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

240 hour visa-free transit: SYD-CHINA-HK-CHINA-SYD

Hi,
Would i need to apply for a visa for the following itinerary?
Sydney to Guangzhou 24/12/2025
Guangzhou train to HK 25/12/2025
HK to Guangzhou train 3/01/2026
Guangzhou to Sydney 09/01/2026

I understand as an Australian citizen I can enter China for up to 30 days without visa up to 31/12/2025 when this arrangement ends. So I don't think I will have an issue entering Guangzhou from Sydney on the 24/12. However I am leaving to HK and will re-enter china again on the 3/1/2026 which is after 31/12/2025 - will I be able to use the 240 hour VISA free for this part of the trip?

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Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Oct. 22, 2025 22:59

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Your itinerary is fine, but you will have to slightly correct one detail. If the visa waiver is not extended you will just take a ferry from Hong Kong to Nansha port (located south from Guangzhou and connected to it by Guangzhou metro line number 4). Taking a train from Hong Kong to mainland China is not eligible when traveling on 240 hour visa free transit, but taking a ferry from Hong Kong to Nansha or to Shekou (in Shenzhen) is eligible. Both routes are operated by CKS. So, with this tiny change you automatically become eligible for 240 hour visa free transit since you will fly out from mainland China from Guangzhou to Australia. In any case, there are serious signals and the general consensus is that the visa waiver will be extended for another year. You should just stay vigilant and check from time to time and when the visa waiver is extended you will proceed as you have originally planned, by train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. In both outcomes, you can enjoy your travel plan with just that small change if the visa waiver is not extended. Your first entry and exit that happens before December 31 is definitely fine since you do not need a visa. Have a nice journey.

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