Not always. Since December 2024, Ukrainian citizens can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when travelling onward to a third country through 60+ permitted ports. But if China is your final destination, you need a visa — Tourist (L) or Business (M).
G-VISA TYPE: TRANSIT VISA
China Transit for Ukrainians: 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit & the G Visa
Free eligibility check for visa-free transit. If China is your destination, we explain the requirements for a Tourist (L) or Business (M) visa and how the process works.
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About the Visa
What is a Transit Visa to China
'Transit' through China covers two different scenarios. 1) 240-hour visa-free transit: if you are travelling onward to a third country (not back to your departure country) and hold a confirmed onward ticket, you may stay up to 10 days without a visa within the permitted regions. 2) The G transit visa: the traditional visa for passing through China for those who do not qualify for visa-free transit. Important: if China is your final destination, transit does not apply — you need an L (tourism) or M (business) visa.
Key requirements
- Valid international passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country within 240 hours (for visa-free transit)
- Entry via one of the permitted ports and stay within the permitted region
- A visa for the third country, if your route requires one
Eligibility
Who is this visa for
This type of visa permit is ideally suited for the following categories of applicants:
Passengers with a connecting flight through China to a third country
Those who want to leave the airport during a long layover
Travelers with a confirmed onward ticket, entering via a permitted port
NOTE: if China is your final destination, you need an L or M visa — not transit
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRANSIT VISA?
Free travel-planning consultation for China: exhibitions, tours, interpreting and trip logistics.
Overview
Questions and Answers
Do Ukrainians need a visa to transit through China?
Often no. Ukrainian citizens can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when travelling onward to a third country via permitted ports with a confirmed onward ticket. If China is the final destination, an L or M visa is required.
How many days can I stay in China on visa-free transit?
Up to 240 hours, i.e. 10 days, within the permitted administrative regions.
What is the difference between transit and a tourist visa?
Transit is passing through China to a third country (up to 10 days without a visa). A Tourist (L) visa is required when China is the purpose of the trip and grants stays of up to 30 days per entry.
Who processes the visa if visa-free transit doesn't apply?
China2Day assists with document preparation for Tourist (L) and Business (M) visas for Ukrainian citizens; submission is through the consulate in Chișinău, which accepts documents without the applicant's personal presence.
Strategic Overview
Transit, or your destination?
The most common mistake is confusing transit with a trip where China is the final destination. For genuine transit onward to a third country, the 240-hour visa-free rule applies and nothing needs to be processed.
But if you are flying to China itself — for leisure, shopping, or negotiations — you need an L or M visa. China2Day identifies your scenario for free and assists with the right visa with no queues and no personal presence.
Not sure what you need?
Send us your route — we will tell you for free whether you fly visa-free or we assist with an L or M visa.
Free tools
Free tools for your China trip
Currency Converter: UAH / USD / CNY / EUR
Live UAH/USD/CNY/EUR rates plus cards with typical China prices: flights, food, gadgets, the consular fee.
Try itChina Trip Budget Estimator
Cities, days, group size and style — instant trip budget estimate.
Try itBest Time to Visit China: Climate, Crowds, Festivals
Pick a city and a month — get a score for weather, crowds and local holidays.
Try itCost & fees
What a visa costs
The total cost is the official consular fee — which the embassy sets and is the same for everyone — plus your own trip costs. The cost of any assistance, if you need it, is agreed individually on request.
240-hour visa-free — eligibility check
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: —
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
Best choice
Tourist (L) visa — if China is your destination
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 10–14 days
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
Business (M) visa — multi-entry
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 10–14 days
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
The consular fee is an official payment you make to the embassy yourself. The exact amount depends on the number of entries and nationality; verify the current rate officially.
Verify officiallyStandard processing
10–14 days (L or M visa, if China is your destination)
Expedited review
7–10 days (express L/M processing)
Processing times and the final visa decision rest with the consulate. We explain the requirements and help prepare your documents; the consulate decides.
Requirements
Required documents
We simplify document preparation to the minimum. Requirements are structured in two groups.
Mandatory documents
- International passport (original)
- Digital photo 33×48 mm (official; 3.5×4.5 cm also accepted)
- Completed China2Day internal questionnaire
Need the photo? Make it free of charge online to COVA standards or with ChatGPT / Gemini.
Supporting documentation
- Onward ticket to a third country with confirmed date
- Third country visa (if required)
Questions about the documents?
Message us — we'll explain the requirements, help you check your documents and outline the next steps. The consulate makes the visa decision. Reply within 30 minutes.
TelegramonlineLive chat — we reply faster
Visa sub-types & validity parameters
Category 01
240-hour visa-free transit
Up to 10 days with no visa when travelling onward to a third country via permitted ports. Granted at the port of entry — no advance visa needed.
Category 02
G transit visa
The traditional visa for passing through China for those who do not qualify for visa-free transit. Issued by the consulate.
IMPORTANT RULE: HONG KONG & MACAU VOID SINGLE-ENTRY VISAS
Please remember that exiting mainland China into Hong Kong or Macau is legally treated as crossing an international border. If you hold a Single visa, exiting to Hong Kong immediately voids it, preventing you from returning to the mainland. For trips that involve transits or side-visits to Hong Kong/Macau with a return to the mainland, you will need a Double or Multi visa.
Who We Serve
Tailored Solutions for Every Purpose
We understand the nuances of every journey and adapt our concierge preparation to your exact needs.
Transit passengers
Travelers connecting through China en route to a third country — with a confirmed onward ticket, a visa-free stopover of up to 10 days is possible.
Long layovers
Those who want to leave the airport during a long connection — to see the city, meet partners, or rest between flights.
When China is your destination
If you are staying in China rather than travelling onward, transit does not apply. You need a Tourist (L) or Business (M) visa — we explain the requirements and how the process works.
Comparison
On your own or with guidance
A comparison of two paths: travelling yourself to submit documents in person (for example, to Warsaw) versus preparing with our informational support. Either way, the consulate makes the visa decision.
| Comparison factors | With China2day guidance | Self-submission (Warsaw) |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cost | Official consular fee + optional assistance (quoted on request) | From Ukraine (if permitted to travel): Travel, hotel and consular fees From EU (Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.): Local consular fees |
| Time Invested | Online form, no travel to submit | Travel, queues, several days |
| Logistics | We explain the requirements and help check documents | Getting there (train, bus, car), bookings, in-person queue |
| Document preparation | Documents reviewed by experienced specialists before submission | You check them yourself; errors surface at submission |
Preparation
6 common visa refusal reasons and how to prepare
Cause 01
The consulate issues the wrong visa type due to wording in the invitation
How to prepare
We check the invitation before submission, point out errors to the client/Chinese partner, and recommend edits based on real cases
Cause 02
The invitation was obtained from unverified intermediaries on Telegram or other unofficial sources
How to prepare
We work only with licensed Chinese companies and verified partners who bear legal responsibility for the invitation
Cause 03
Mismatch of dates, routes, or personal data between the COVA form and the invitation
How to prepare
We carry out a multi-level check of all documents before submission to rule out any discrepancies
Cause 04
The route includes Hong Kong or Macao during a trip on a single-entry visa
How to prepare
We analyze the route in advance and recommend the correct visa type or an adjustment to the travel plan
Cause 05
The photo does not meet the consulate's technical requirements (poor background, clothing, lighting, or file format)
How to prepare
We provide detailed photo instructions and check the image before submitting documents
Cause 06
Submitting documents less than a week before departure, with no time reserve for processing and logistics
How to prepare
We recommend submitting documents at least 3 weeks before the trip and warn about risks and timelines at the consultation stage
Workflow
Step-by-step application workflow
1
Free eligibility check
Send your route and dates — we determine whether you qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit or need a visa.
2
Visa-free scenario
If you travel onward to a third country with a ticket, we explain the entry ports, permitted regions, and the 10-day rules. No visa required.
3
'China is the destination' scenario
If China is your final destination, we recommend a Tourist (L) or Business (M) visa and collect passport, photo, and questionnaire data.
4
L/M visa processing
We prepare the full package and submit through the Chinese consulate in Chișinău without personal presence. 10–14 days (7–10 express).
5
Passport return
We collect the visa-stamped passport and ship it via Nova Poshta or courier anywhere in Ukraine.
Common DIY application mistakes
Avoiding these critical paperwork issues helps prevent delays in the consular review:
- Confusing transit with a trip where China is the final destination (which needs an L or M visa)
- Trying to use visa-free transit when returning to the departure country rather than a third country
- Not holding a confirmed onward ticket at the time of entry
- Entering via a port or staying in a region not covered by the transit program
- Overstaying the 240 hours (10 days) of permitted stay
Knowledge Base
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a visa-free stay of up to 10 days for passengers travelling through China to a third country (not back to the departure country), holding a confirmed onward ticket and entering via a permitted port. Granted at the port of entry — no advance visa needed.
Yes, Ukrainian citizens are on the list of nationalities eligible for the 240-hour transit, provided they respect the route (onward to a third country), the entry ports, and the permitted regions of stay.
Then transit does not apply. You need a full visa: Tourist (L) for leisure or Business (M) for business trips. Documents are submitted to the consulate in Chișinău, which accepts them without the applicant's personal presence; the consulate reviews the application and decides.
The G visa is the traditional transit visa for passing through China, issued by the consulate for those who do not qualify for visa-free transit. In most cases Ukrainians are better served by the 240-hour visa-free transit, or by an L/M visa if China is the destination.
It is free. Send us your route and dates and we will tell you whether you can fly without a visa or need to apply for an L or M visa.
Voice Search
For a short layover through China, Ukrainian citizens often need no visa: the 240-hour, i.e. 10-day, visa-free transit applies when travelling onward to a third country with a confirmed onward ticket. But if China is your final destination, you need a Tourist (L) or Business (M) visa — documents are submitted through the consulate in Chișinău without the applicant's personal presence, and the consulate decides. The eligibility check is free.
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