144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China: A Complete Guide

Now, China has been implementing three visa exemption transit policies in major tourist cities in order to make it more convenient for international travelers from 54 countries to set out a tour in China.

Transiters can take a 72-hour layover at Changsha, Harbin, Guilin, and Beihai without a China visa, while there are a total of 25 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an, carrying out 144-hour visa-free transit policy which allows foreign travelers to stay in certain regions for up to 6 days. Besides, China has implemented a 24-hour visa-free transit policy for foreign nationals from all over the world at its all exit-entry ports.

Which Cities or Provinces in China Have Implemented 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?

Which Countries are Eligible for the 144-hour visa-free Transit in China?

Today, China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy applies to citizens of the listed 54 countries below:

What are the Requirements for 144-hour Visa-free Transit?

1. Transits must come from the 54 designated countries mentioned above;
2. Transits must hold valid passports or other international travel documents proving both identity and citizenship. The passport or travel documents should have at least three months remaining validity;
3. Transits must hold connecting tickets with confirmed departure date and seat number to a 3^rd country or region within 144 hours’ stop-over in mainland China.

*Note:

① The next destination should be different from the country you come from.

② Hong Kong and Macau are categorized into the 3^rd regions out of mainland China.

Examples of Transit Routes:

US – Beijing – Japan √

UK – Beijing – Tianjin – Japan √

France – Beijing – Shanghai – Malaysia ×

Australia – Shenzhen – Hong Kong √

Australia – Shenzhen – Australia ×

Denmark – Shanghai – Australia √

Russia – Shanghai – Suzhou – Hong Kong √

Germany – Shanghai – Guangzhou – Macau ×

4. Transits must stay in designated areas during the layover. For example, if you enter China from Beijing Capital International Airport, you are not allowed to have a trip from Beijing to Xi’an or Shanghai but are able to extend your Beijing trip to Tianjin and Hebei.

Passengers’ application for 144-hour visa-free transit will be rejected when one of the following situations occurs:

1. The validity period of the passport or other international travel documents is within three months;
2. Those who have been refused a Chinese visa;
3. Those who have records of illegal entry and exit, illegal residence, and illegal employment in China within 5 years.

How to Apply for a 144-hour Visa-free Transit in China?

1. Application Procedure:

1. When boarding, inform the airline that you intend to apply for a 144-hour visa-free transit
2. Fill an Arrival Card
3. Upon arrival, apply for the 144-hour permit at the dedicated counter
4. Claim the luggage and go through inspections at the customs
5. Leave the airport for the area you are permitted to travel around.

2. Documents for Application

1. Valid passport issued by 54 designated countries mentioned above.
2. Visa for a 3^rd country or region
3. A fully completed Arrival Cardfor temporary entry
4. An onward ticket to a 3^rd country or region with a confirmed departure date and seat within 144 hours

How to Count the 144 hours after Entry

The 144-hour visa-free transit counts from 00:00 a.m. the next day after your entry. That is, you will actually be allowed to stay in designated areas longer than 144 hours without a Chinese visa.

For example, if you arrive at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport at 10:00 am on May 1^st, 2024, the layover time starts at 0:00 on May 2^nd, which means, you can stay in Xi’an and Xianyang for up to 158 hours and should leave before 24:00 on May 7^th, 2024.

FAQs on China’s 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

Q: If I get permission for 144 hours’ visa-free transit but fails to depart within 144 hours due to some special reason, what should I do?

A: If you are unable to leave designated areas in time due to force majeure, you need to apply for a China travel visa at the local entry-exit administration section of public security bureau.

Q: If I arrive in mainland China with a single-entry flight ticket, but I plan to purchase a departure ticket after arrival, can I apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit?

A: The round-way international connecting flight ticket within 144 hours after arrival is a must for the application. Travelers with single-journey tickets will be refused.

Q: After I go through the application for 144-hour visa-free transit, will I get into trouble when checking in a downtown hotel without a China tourist visa?

A: If you are qualified to enjoy the 144-hour visa exemption transit policy, the customs will put a temporary entry permit sticker on your passport. You can check in at the hotel with the entry permit.

How to Spend the 144 hours Layover Time

The 25 cities implementing the 144-hour visa-free transit policy are all popular tourist destinations in China. The 6-day layover is a great chance to fully explore the essential attractions of each region. For example:

If you enter China from Beijing, the 144-hour transit trip will take you through time to admire magnificent imperial complexes, such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. You can also gain a memorable hiking experience by visiting famous Great Wall sections, like Badaling and Mutianyu in Beijing, as well as Shanhaiguan and Laolongtou in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province.

Best Beijing Tour Packages:

• 3 Days Beijing Package Tour
• From Tianjin Cruise Port: 3 Full Days Beijing Classic Tour

If you transit in Shanghai, iconic sights like the Bund, Huangpu River, and stylish skyscrapers will definitely impress you. You may consider taking a side trip to Hangzhou and Suzhou to enjoy the picturesque scenery of West Lake and the elegant classic gardens respectively.

Best Shanghai Tour Packages:

• 2 Days Best Shanghai Layover Tour
• 5 Days Shanghai –Suzhou Private Tour

A transit trip to Xi’an offers you an exploration journey to the city’s past and is enough to cover celebrated historical landmarks, such as the “world’s eighth wonder” – Terracotta Warriors and Horses, 600-year-old City Wall, the symbolic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, as well as the Bell and Drum Towers in the city center.

Best Xi’an Tour Packages:

• 2 Days Essence Xi’an Tour Package (Time-efficient itinerary)
• 3 Days Xi’an Private Tour: History & Tang Costume Experience

During the layover trip in Chengdu, it is recommended you seize the chance to meet the adorable giant pandas. If you are seeking for a memorable culinary trip, Chengdu is a superior alternative, where you can get yourself a real feast of hot and spicy Sichuan cuisines.

Best Chengdu Tour Packages:

• 3 Days Chengdu City Tour with Panda Base & Food Street
• 4 Days Chengdu Tour with Giant Panda and Leshan Giant Buddha

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• China Visa-free Tours
• How to Visit China Without a Visa – Updates on China’s Visa-Free Policies