China 144 Hour Visa Free Transit
Some areas and cities of China allow travelers from 53 countries to stay in a certain region for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa.
This means that these visitors can experience the local culture and life without having to apply for a Chinese travel visa. You can enjoy your trip to China easier.
Here, we list the most important information you may need to plan a visa-free trip to China.
Which Countries Qualify for the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy?
There are 53 countries.
- Americas (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile
- Europe (39 countries) - Schengen Agreement Countries (24):
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary. Iceland, Italy, Latvia Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal. Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Other European Countries (15):
Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria. Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco
- Oceania (2 countries): Australia and New Zealand
- Asia (6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar
Which City Enjoys China 144-Hour Visa-free Transit?
Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei area
- Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Binhai International Airport
- Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
- Hebei Shijiazhuang International Airport, Hebei Qinhuangdao Seaport
Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang area
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. Shanghai Railway Station
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport
Guangdong Province
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
- Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Liaoning Province
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
Shandong Province
- Qingdao Liuting International Airport
- Qingdao International Cruise Home Port
Other Cities
- Chongqing: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
- Chengdu: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
- Xi'an: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
- Wuhan: Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
- Kunming: Kunming Changshui International Airport
- Xiamen: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen Wutong Port, Xiamen International Cruise Terminal
Meeting the Qualifying Criteria
- You must be in transit to a third country or region. (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan belong to the third regions).
- For instance, USA–Shanghai-Hong Kong is acceptable for a 144-hour transit visa in Shanghai. But USA–Shanghai–USA, or USA-Hong Kong-Shanghai is not.
- Your transit time is no more than 144 hours (from the first 00:00 hrs after you enter).
- You enter and leave from one of the eligible ports of entry.
- You can travel only around the eligible areas or cities within 144 hours. But you are not permitted to go to other city or provincial level areas in China.
For example, if you get to Shanghai, you can only travel around Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang areas. If you arrive in Beijing, you can only travel around Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hebei area.
If you arrive in Chengdu, you can only tour Chengdu. (Since December 1, 2019, Leshan, Ya'an, and other 8 cities have been included in the Chengdu area.)
Feel free to tell us your queries if you need any tour help.
How to calculate the 144 Hours?
On arrival at one of the entry points, eligible foreign passengers will be issued a temporary entry permit by immigration officials.
The 144 hours start from 00:00 hrs immediately following the time of entry.
Passengers can stay in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang without a Chinese visa for up to 144 hours.
For example, if you enter Chengdu at 6 am on May 1, 2021, your stay period starts counting down from 00:00 on May 2. So you can stay until 23:59 on May 7.
So you may stay longer than 144 (but still less than 168) hours, depending on arrival and departure times.
If you want, we can help you to create a 144-hour visa-free tour to make the best of your time and meet your interests.
What Documents Necessary for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
- Valid international travel documents (including passport). Onward air/boat/train tickets to a third country (region). It must have confirmed the date and seat within 144 hours of the first 00:00 hrs after arrival.
- Visa for a third country/region (if needed)
- Arrival and departure cards (completely filled in)
144-Hour Transit in 6 Steps
1. Inform your carrier agent that you wish to use a 144-hour visa-free transit at the check-in.
2. Submit the arrival and departure card form.
3. After arrival, pass through the 144-hour visa-exemption transit inspection channel within the entry inspection areas.
4. Show your tickets, passport, and arrival card to the immigration officer for inspection. And then tell them you wish to transit without a visa.
5. After clearing immigration, claim your luggage and go through customs as normal.
6. Departure from a designated port before midnight on the sixth full day. There is nothing different from leaving China normally. Hand over your completed departure card at the security inspection.