China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy is a game-changer for travelers who wish to visit China without the hassle of obtaining a visa. This policy allows citizens of certain countries to transit through China without a visa for up to 144 hours, or six days.
In this blog post, we will discuss what the 144-hour visa-free transit policy is, which countries are eligible, and how to apply for it.
What is China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy?
The 144-hour visa-free transit policy is a program that allows certain foreign nationals to enter China without a visa for up to 144 hours, or six days.
This policy was implemented in 2013 in Shanghai and later expanded to other cities in China, including Beijing, Tianjin, and Guangzhou.
The policy aims to promote tourism and business travel in China by making it easier for travelers to visit the country.
Which countries are eligible for China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy?
Currently, citizens of the following 54 countries are eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.
| Continent | Country |
| Americas (6) | Argentina Brazil Canada Chile Mexico United States |
| Asia (6) | Brunei Japan Qatar Singapore South Korea United Arab Emirates |
| Europe (40) | Albania Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine United Kingdom |
| Oceania (2) | Australia New Zealand |
How to apply for China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy?
To apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, travelers need to meet certain requirements:
- Firstly, they must be citizens of one of the eligible countries listed above and have a valid passport.
- Secondly, they must have a connecting flight ticket to a third country or region (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) meaning they cannot depart to the same country they arrived from. You can NOT transit within China Mainland!
- Thirdly, they must arrive and depart from one of the designated cities that offer the 144-hour visa-free transit policy
- Fourthly, they must travel and stay within the permitted travel areas: for example, if travelers apply for a 144-hour visa-free transit in Beijing, they are not allowed to travel or stay in Chengdu or Shanghai. However, they can travel or stay in Beijing, Tianjin, or Hebei province.
The designated cities are:
| City | Airport | Areas Of Stay |
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport Beijing Daxing International Airport | Beijing Municipality Hebei Province Tianjin Municipality |
| Chengdu | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | Chengdu Deyang Leshan Luzhou Meishan Neijiang Suining Ya’an Yibin Zigong Ziyang |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing Municipality |
| Dalian | Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | Liaoning Province |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Guangdong Province |
| Hangzhou | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | Jiangsu Province Shanghai Municipality Zhejiang Province |
| Jieyang | Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | Guangdong Province |
| Kunming | Kunming Changshui International Airport | Yunnan Province (Starting July 2024) |
| Lijiang | Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | Yunnan Province (Starting July 2024) |
| Nanjing | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | Jiangsu Province Shanghai Municipality Zhejiang Province |
| Ningbo | Ningbo Lishe International Airport | Jiangsu Province Shanghai Municipality Zhejiang Province |
| Qingdao | Qingdao Liuting International Airport | Shandong Province |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Pudong International Airport Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport | Jiangsu Province Shanghai Municipality Zhejiang Province |
| Shenyang | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Liaoning Province |
| Shijiazhuang | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Beijing Municipality Hebei Province Tianjin Municipality |
| Shenzhen | Shenzhen Baoan International Airport | Guangdong Province |
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport | Beijing Municipality Hebei Province Tianjin Municipality |
| Wuhan | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Wuhan city only |
| Xi’an | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport | Xi’an City and Xiangyang City |
| Xiamen | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | Xiamen city only |
| Zhengzhou | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport | Henan Province (Starting July 2024) |
When arriving in China, travelers should inform the immigration officer that they wish to apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy. They will be required to fill out a temporary Arrival Card and present their valid passport and connecting flight ticket.
The immigration officer will verify their eligibility and issue a temporary stay permit, which allows them to stay in China for up to 144 hours.
It’s important to note that travelers must leave China within 144 hours and cannot extend their stay. Also, they are not allowed to travel outside the permitted travel areas during their stay.
Conclusion
China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy is an excellent opportunity for travelers to visit China without the hassle of obtaining a visa. With a valid passport and connecting flight ticket, citizens of eligible countries can enjoy up to six days in China’s designated cities.
It’s essential to meet the requirements and follow the guidelines to avoid any issues while traveling in China. So, if you’re planning a trip to China and meet the eligibility criteria, take advantage of this policy and explore the rich culture, food, and sights that China has to offer.