China 144 Hour Visa Free Transit: Cities, Requirements, Application & Tips 2023

If you want to apply for the 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption when passing through China, there are certain requirements you have to meet.

● Foreigners must come from the designated 53 countries

The policy only applies to citizens from the specified 53 nations in Asia, Europe, America and Oceania. The nationality of your passport will be checked if you are eligible applicants. (Check the detailed list of qualified countries below.)

● Foreigners must hold valid international travel documents

A passport is the most common travel document as the proof of visitors’ identity. Visitors can also take other recognized travel documents to certify their nationality and identity. The passport or other document should have a validity of at least 3 months. (Note that Identity Card, Driver Licence are normally not considered an international travel documents.

● Foreigners must hold a connecting ticket bound for a third country (region) within 144 Hours

One of the most crucial condition is that, foreigners have to hold a connecting ticket (usually flight ticket) to a third country/region with confirmed seat, date within 144 hours. You need to provide document presenting fixed departure date, and departure and next destination are different.

Tips: Hong Kong and Macau are regarded as third regions from mainland China. Hong Kong Visa / Macau Visa >>

Valid Routes Samples:

1. US > Beijing > Hong Kong or Macau

2. Australia > Shanghai > Hangzhou > Hong Kong or Macau

3. US > Guangzhou > Japan > US

4. New York > Beijing > Kuala Lumpur

5. London > Chengdu > Hong Kong

6. Los Angeles > Hong Kong > Guangzhou > Los Angeles

● Foreigners must enter and exit via specified ports

Passengers are required to get into and leave China from appointed ports, for example, you can only apply for 144-Hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing.

Now, the 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption policy in China opens to 53 states in 4 continents. So only citizens from one of the 53 members are allowed to apply for the service. The eligible country list is same to that of China’s 72-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. Read the list below to see if you meet the precondition. Read full list of Countries Applicable to 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit >>

European Countries (39)

European Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (24):

Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Other European Countries (15):

Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco and Belarus.

American Countries (6):

The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Republic of Chile.

Oceania Countries (2):

Australia and New Zealand.

Asian Countries (6):

South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

◆ 144-Hour Visa-free Transit in Yangtze River Delta

Since January 30, 2016, China first launched the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, for citizens from certain 51 countries (now upgrade to 53 states) holding connecting flight tickets with confirmed seat, date to a third country (region). Ningbo was added in end of 2019. Transit foreigners can choose any one of the 8 permitted ports to enter and exit Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou, and stay for not exceeding 144 hours (6 days) in the administrative regions of Shanghai, any cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. So you can visit Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Xuzhou, etc.

See the port in each city in detail below:

Shanghai (5):

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai Railway Station

Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal

Shanghai WuSongKou International Cruise Terminal

Nanjing (1):

Nanjing Lukou International Airport

Hangzhou (1):

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Ningbo (1):

Ningbo Lishe International Airport

Related Visa-free Tours:

>> 5 Days Essence of Shanghai & Hangzhou Tour

>> 5 Days Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou West Lake Bike Tour

>> 6 Days Splendid East China Tour by Bullet Train

144-Hour Visa Free Transit in Yangtze River Delta

Towering Skyscrapers in Shanghai

◆ 144-Hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei

From December 28, 2017, the State Council approved the implement of 144-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy in the Jing-Jin-Ji Region, the biggest urbanized metropolitan area in Northern China. The requirements are same as in Yangtze River Delta. During the transit, passengers can enter and leave China through one of the 6 ports in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province, and stay in the administrative region in Jing-Jin-Ji Region, for no more than 144 hours.

Beijing (3):

Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport

Beijing West Railway Station

Tianjin (2):

Tianjin Binhai International Airport

Tianjin International Cruise Home Port

Hebei (2):

Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airpot

Qinhuangdao Port

Related Visa-free Tours:

>> 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour (Visa Free)

>> 3 Days Tianjin Huangyaguan Great Wall Tour

>> 2 Days Beijing Tianjin Round Trip by Train

Administrative Region of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region

Long Stretching Mutianyu Great Wall

◆ 144-Hour Visa-free Transit in Liaoning

From January 1, 2018, Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning Province, Northeastern China also carried out the 144-Hour Visa Exemption for international transit passengers. Eligible visitors can get in and departure from one of the two air ports, and stay in any cities in Liaoning Province within 144 hours.

Liaoning (2):

Shenyang Taoxian International Airport

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport

Related Visa-free Tours:

>> 2 Days Essence of Dalian Tour

>> 3 Days Dalian City Break

144-Hour Visa-free Cities in Liaoning
(click to enlarge)

◆ 144-Hour Visa-free Transit in Guangdong Province

A piece of big news was announced recently, Guangdong Province upgraded the 72-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy to 144 hours from May 1, 2019, by extending the no-visa layover duration, adding more port of entry & exit.

Qualified travelers can enter from one of the three international airports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang (Chaoshan), visit Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Shantou and any city in Guangdong Province for no more than 6 days without applying a Chinese Visa. Finally, visitors may exit mainland China from 32 valid ports in Guangdong, including airport, railway stations, highway and ferry ports. For multiple connection between Guangdong and Hong Kong/Macau by air, land, railway or ferry, it's super convenient to enjoy a visa-free tour package covering Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area in Pearl River Delta. It gives a great chance to experience different types of culture and urban landscape in Greater Bay Area, Southern China.

3 Ports of Entry:

Guangzhou (1):

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Shenzhen (1):

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

Jieyang Chaoshan (1):

Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport

Related Visa-free Tours:

>> 3 Days Guangzhou Short Stay Tour

>> 4 Days Guangzhou Family with Kids Tour

Guangdong Province Map
(click to enlarge)

Canton Tower in Guangzhou

32 Ports of Exit in Guangdong:

Air Ports (5): Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, Meizhou Meixian Airport, Zhanjiang Airport.

Railway Ports (4): Guangzhou East Railway Station (Tianhe Port), Dongguan Railway Station, Foshan Railway Station, Zhaoqing Railway Station.

Highway/Road Ports (8): Shenzhen Shatoujiao Port, Wenjindu Port, Huanggang Port, Luohu Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, Futian Port, Zhuhai Gongbei Port, Zhuhai Hengqin Port.

Harbor/Sea Ports (15):

Guangzhou: Guangzhou Port, Nansha Port, LianHuaShan Port; Shenzhen: Shenzhen Shekou Ferry Terminal, Shenzhen Fuyong Port; Zhuhai: Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port, Wanzai Port, Wanshangang Port, Doumen Gang Port; Jiangmen: Jiangmen Port, Heshan Bay Port; Foshan: Foshan Gaoming Port, Rongqi Port; Dongguan: Dongguan Humen Port; Zhongshan: Zhongshan Port.

Important Notice:1) above information is only for reference and may be outdated, you'd better contact Immigration Administration to check final availability and latest news. You can browse their website https://en.nia.gov.cn/ or dial their official consulting lines - 86 020 12367 (Guangzhou), 86 0755 12367 (Shenzhen), 86 0756 12367 (Zhuhai). English-speaking service is available.

Learn more about 144-hour Visa Free Transit in Guangdong Province

Applying the visa-free transit in a airport, seaport or railway port is much easier and faster than application in a Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad. Once successfully approved, your passport will stamp a stay permit, instead of a whole stick on a visa page.

Required Documents:

a. Personal valid international travel documents with a validity of at least 3 months from the date of entry;

b. Onward (flight/train/cruise) ticket to a third country (region) with confirmed seat and date within 144 hour on arrival;

c. Completed Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners;

d. Valid visa to the third country or region (if requires).

Application Process:

Normally, there are 6 steps to follow to apply for the 144-Hour Visa-exemption Transit. Meanwhile, Shanghai has adopted an easy and fast online application system pre-arrival since November 2018. Let’s see what you should do to take the transit visa exemption.

Option One (Most Common Procedure):

A. You should notify the carrier that you would apply for the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit when boarding. They will convey your need to the immigration office.

B. Follow signs at customs area, and get to the dedicated counter/channel immigration department set for 144-Hour Visa-free Transit applicants.

C. If get approved, your passport will be stamped a stay permit by the officer, which shows the issuing date, the permitted duration of stay.

D. If you have a valid Chinese Visa, and don’t want to use it this time, you should tell the immigration officer you will enter and transit by applying the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit.

E. After leaving airport, you must register yourself within 24 hours upon arrival at the local police station or Public Security Bureau (PSB). If you will stay in hotel, the hotel staff will do the registration for you.

F. You’re required to apply for a new Chinese Visa from the local PSB, if you intend to travel other cities or stay longer than 144 hours. Otherwise, your illegal stay will face fines and other serious consequences.

Passport and Connecting Flight Ticket are Required Documents

Indicator for 144 Hours China Visa Free Transit

144 Hour Visa Free Transit Application Area

Option Two (Online Applivation Only Available in Shanghai):

1.) Log on the official website (https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/144zy.jsp) and fill in the online electronic application abroad in advance; Type all individual details, planed places to stay, contact number and proposed departure & arrival date and transportation. Submit the application, then you will get a QR code. The system will give useful tips and feedback promptly when your situation is not suitable.

2.) After landing in Shanghai Hongqiao or Pudong International Airport, go to the special 144-Hour Visa-free Transit area. Scan your passport/international travel documents or the generated QR code on a self-service kiosk, print the Arrival Card filled and submitted before arrival. (If you didn’t apply online, you can also complete the application and print them out though the machines.)

3.) Apply in the visa counter, prove valid travel document, arrival card, connecting flight tickets. And accept inquiry and inspection by the exit & entry authority.

Self-service Kiosk in Shanghai Airport

The 144-Hour Visa-free policy is only applicable for foreigners’ short transit in China. If you want to take advantage of such convenience and tour chance during the layover, you should meet all requirements, comply with all regulations and laws. Here we give you more useful guide and tips about it.

▶ Transit Route

The 144-Hour Visa-free Transit policy is suitable for visitors who transit the specified area with onward transfer to a third country/region. Therefore, the departure and next arrival destination must be different.

For example:

a. Australia – Beijing – Tianjin – Singapore is OK (✔).

b. Australia – Beijing – Shanghai – Singapore is NOT OK (✘).

c. Australia – Beijing – Dalian – Tianjin – Singapore is NOT OK (✘).

d. Australia – Shanghai - Xian - Singapore is NOT OK (✘).

e. Sydney - Shanghai - Hong Kong -Sydney is OK (✔).

f. New Zealand - Shanghai - Suzhou - Hangzhou - Shanghai - New Zealand is Not OK (✘).

g. New Zealand - Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Hong Kong/Macau - New Zealand is OK (✔).

▶ Area of Movement

The 144-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy appoints different range of activity in different cities. Namely, foreigners must transit and stay in one city/area only, not allowed to travel beyond the permitted area.

* Foreigners transiting in one of the 7 ports in Shanghai - Jiangsu - Zhejiang area, can enter (and exit) and stay from any port permitted, and visit Shanghai, and all cities in neighboring Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.

* If you have a short layover in one of the 6 ports in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, you could enter (and exit) and stay in Beijing, Tianjin and all the cities in Hebei Province.

* Foreigners transfer in Shenyang Airport and Dalian Airport, can exit from either one air ports, and stay in any cities of Liaoning Province.

* There is only one local air port in Chengdu, Wuhan, Kunming and Qingdao separately. The movement is restricted to the administrative area.

Say if you enter from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, you can visit Renmin Park, Jinli Old Street, Kuan Zhai Alley in downtown area, and Mount Qingcheng, Dujiangyan Irregation Prpject, Dujiangyan Panda Base in suburb Chengdu.

* If you will transit in one of the 3 mentioned air ports in Guangdong Province, you are freely to visit any cities in Guangdong Province, and can exit from 32 opened ports in Guangdong Province.

▶ Calculation of Entry Date

The 144-hour visa free transit officially counts from 00:00 on the next day after entry, not from the time when the flight land at the airport, or the time you get the stay permit. So you actually stay more than 144 hours. For example, if you arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 7:00 on March 1st, 2019, so the visa-free transit begins from 00:00 on March 2. Therefore, you can stay in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang and leave before 24:00 on March 7th, 2019.

▶ Others

① Must check carefully if you meet all the application qualifications.

When you belong to one of the following situations, you can NOT use the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit in China.

1.) The exit & entry border check authority confirmed your visit to Chin is prohibited according to relevant laws and regulations; 2.) Passport or other international travel documents you hold is not valid for 3 months, or stamped visa refusal; 3.) You had illegal entry/exit, stay and work record in China within 5 years; 4.) You had violation of accommodation registration and caused serious cases in China within 2 years.

② Prior to arrival, you need to report the visa-free transit request to the immigration authority through the airline company or personally.

③ You’re required to fill in Arrival Card (the blue one, not the yellow slip get on plane) on arrival, fill up the Departure Card at counter when leaving.

④ Your movement is strictly limited in certain areas in the transiting city. Travel outside the area needs applying for a Chinese Visa.