Question

Asked by LINDA from united states | May. 13, 2026 18:25

About:240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

CAN I USE THE 240 HR VISA

HI. I HAVE A FLIGHT LEAVING FT. LAUDERDALE FLORIDA TO SHANGHAI, ON MAY 22ND. I THEN HAVE A FLIGHT FROM SHANGHAI TO JAPAN ON THE 27TH. DO I QUALIFY FOR THE 240 HOUR VISA? THANK YOU.

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Answers (4)

Answered by Borut | May. 14, 2026 16:26

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Linda, the essence of 240 hour visa free transit scheme is that the immediate points before and after mainland China have to be in two different countries or eligible territories (eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau).

Having the above rule in mind it is easy to understand that your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Shanghai is not allowed to have Japan as a point just before China. In other words, your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Shanghai is not allowed to have a landing of any kind in Japan because the country you will fly into after China will be - Japan.

So, if your flight is US to China without any landing in Japan and then Japan after China, your itinerary is eligible for 240 hour visa free transit, but if you have a landing in Japan just before China, your itinerary is not eligible for this visa free transit scheme. Also, I encourage you to use correct terminology because this is not 240 hour visa, but 240 hour visa free transit, so there is no visa of any kind at all. I hope this helps.

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Answered by LINDA | May. 14, 2026 18:16

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HI. THANK YOU. YES , I WILL BE FLYING FROM USA - CHINA - JAPAN - USA. SO I WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE 3240 HOUR VISA FREE TRANSIT, CORRECT? THANK YOU.

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Answered by LINDA | May. 14, 2026 18:18

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SORRY 240 HOUR FREE TRANSIT.

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Answered by Borut | May. 15, 2026 00:58

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Perfect. Since you will not have a landing of any kind in Japan during your first segment, your itinerary is definitely eligible for 240 hour visa free transit and you can proceed with your travel plans with absolute peace of mind. Have a nice visit to China.

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