Notice on Further Adjusting the Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on March 14, 2023:
In order to further facilitate the entry and exit of Chinese and foreign personnel, it has been decided to make the following adjustments to the visa and entry policies for foreigners entering China, effective from 00:00 March 15, 2023 Beijing time:
1. The entry function of visas which were issued before March 28, 2020 and still valid will be restored.
2. Overseas visa offices will resume issuing various types of visas (including Tourist Visa) for foreigners to travel to China, with specific requirements detailed in the visa application guidelines of Chinese embassies or consulates.
3. Port visa offices will resume issuing various types of port visas for lawful purposes.
4. The policies of visa-free entry for Hainan, Shanghai International cruise arrival, Guangdong for Tourist group entry of foreigners from Hong Kong, Macau, and ASEAN tourist groups entering Guilin, Guangxi will be restored.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call 86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
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Updated News: From December 1, 2019, tourists who get 144 Hour Transit Visa Free in Chengdu Airport are allowed to visit Chengdu with 10 extra cities in Sichuan, including Leshan (Leshan Giant Buddha & Mount Emei), Ya'an (Bifengxia Panda Base), Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Yibin and Luzhou.
Serving as an important aviation hub in Southwestern China, Chengdu started 24-Hour Visa-free Transit from July 2013 and 72-Hour Transit Visa Exemption since September 1st, 2013, and upgraded to 144 hours from January 1st, 2019. Based on the latest news reported on December, 2019, the visa free stay area has been extended from Chengdu to Leshan, Deyang, Meishan, Yibin, Ya'an and total 11 cities within Sichuan Province. It makes international travelers getting ride of hassle of visa application, enjoying chance of seeing Cute Giant Panda, experiencing unique charm of Chengdu and most part of Sichuan during a layover.
Nationals from appointed 53 countries may apply for the 144-Hour TWOV if he/she transit in Chengdu via Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, holding valid international travel document, connecting ticket with confirmed date and seat to a third country (region), which includes Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan. The basic conditions are quite similar to that of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen, but different in stayed area and ports of entry.
As regulated by the authority, applicants wishing to use the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit must meet all requirements. Check them carefully to find out if you could apply it while transiting in Chengdu.
Requirements include:
⒈From designated 53 foreign countries included in the 144-hour Visa-free Transit Program;
⒉Hold a valid passport or international travel document with a validity of minimum 3 months;
⒊Hold a connecting flight ticket with confirmed seat and departure date (leaving Chengdu) to a third country or region within 144 hours. And the flight should depart from A country to C country, transit in city B - Chengdu, China. Normally an e-ticket is applicable.
⒋Transit in Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Chengdu Airport is the only used port of entry and exit for 144-Hour TWOV Policy in Chengdu.
Required Documents for Chengdu 144 TWOV
As updated, the current 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption is valid for 53 certain countries in 4 continents in the world. U.S.A, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore are listed in the visa free countries.
| Continent | Number | Transit Visa Free Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 39 |
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, Switzerland. Other Countries (15): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco and Belarus. |
| America | 6 | United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the Republic of Chile. |
| Oceania | 2 | Australia, New Zealand. |
| Asia | 6 | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar. |
Attention: the nationality is one of the preconditions for application, not means you will be granted successfully, and obviously citizens from other countries not listed below can NOT benefit from the convenience. ( download the full visa free countries list in jpg format)
1. About Travel Route: The 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption is only applicable for international transits through Chengdu. It demands your last departure city different from onward destination.
Eligible Routes Examples: Country (Region) A > Chengdu > Country (Region) B
● U.S.A > Chengdu > Thailand is OK
● U.S.A > Chengdu > Hong Kong is Ok
2. About Stay Area: During the 144-hour visa-free period, travelers are permitted to move around within the administrative precincts of Chengdu (13 districts, 4 counties and 5 county-level citiesm, including Dujiangyan), Leshan (乐山), Deyang (德阳), Suining (遂宁), Meishan (眉山), Ya'an (雅安), Ziyang (资阳), Neijing (内江), Zigong (自贡), Luzhou (泸州) and Yibin (宜宾), all together 11 cities within Sichuan Province.
So, once get the transit visa free, you can visit Renmin Park, Kuaizhai Alley, Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, and other attractions in Chengdu, Mount Qingcheng, Dujiangyan Panda Base, Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Dujiangyan, Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei (Leshan), Shunan Bamboo Forest (Yibin), Bifeng Canyon (Ya'an), and more attractions in Sichuan.
3. About Port of Entry: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is the only port applying to the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy in Chengdu. So, all transit passengers must enter and exit via the airport.
Currently, Chengdu Airport operates more than 300 airlines, includes 112 international (regional) air routes to lots of cities worldwide. To prompt better services, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport offers many privileges and services supporting the transits, including fast security check channel, free baggage storage and free international first-class lounge, etc.
More about Chengdu Airport Location, Transportation and Airlines>>
4. About Visa-Free Period: The 144-Hour Visa-Free duration of stay officially counts from 00:00 (midnight) the day after arrival, instead of your flight’s landing time. For example, if you arrive at Chengdu Airport on May 1, 2019, you are allowed to stay in Chengdu and exit before 24:00 on May 7. As you can see, you actually will have a layover tour in Chengdu more than 144 hours.
5. About Ticket Booking: Please make sure your onward travel ticket is already booked before transit in Chengdu, because it would be checked when applying for Temporary Entry Permit for leaving airport.
6. About Number of Application: It’s free to apply for the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit more times as long as your travel routes and situation qualified to all the regulations.
Visa-free Transit Signs at Airport
Enlarge to Check Chengdu Transit Visa Free Stay Area on Sichuan Map
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Foreigners Enjoy Tea Time in Renmin Park
Step 1 - When boarding, inform the air company staff of your application of 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Chengdu. They will deliver your request to the Immigration Authority at Chengdu Airport.
Step 2 - After landing at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, fill in the Arrival Card (blue version) at specialized desk, and then follow guide to the “Exclusive Channel for 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption”. There you shall wait and submit application with passport, connecting flight ticket to onward destination, and related travel itinerary.
Step 3 - The Exit and Entry Immigration officer will seal a Temporary Entry Permit on your passport to grant your short-term entry to Chengdu after verification.
Step 4 - Go through customs and immigration formalities, and you can leave Chengdu Airport, enter and stay in administrative region of Chengdu for a 6-day stopover tour.
Warm Tips: Exit-Entry Administration Division of Chengdu Public Security Bureau has opened 24/7 service helpline (in both English & Chinese) for consultation of Chengdu’s 144-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy. (Contact Number: 18030695002)
Arrival Card of China for Foreigners
Sample of Temporary Entry Permit
Chengdu, known as “Hometown of Giant Panda”, has unique culture, history and leisure lifestyle attracting thousands of visitors each year. Meanwhile, the city serves as important gateway to the UNESCO World Heritages in Sichuan, including Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries (Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains), Mount Qingcheng. Get the most useful travel ideas for Chengdu from China Discovery below.
Cute Giant Pandas in Chengdu
Mysterious Sichuan Opera with Face Changing
If the connection time is quite tight, or will have a overnight layover, you may apply for 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. It allows you to stay and rest inside the airport without applying a Chinese Transit Visa and going through any immigration formalities. But a Temporary Entry Permit is required for leaving airport, for any purpose of visiting, tour or business.
If you will layover at Chengdu for more than 10 hours during daytime, you may have a quick visit of Giant Panda in Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base, which is located 50 minutes’ ~ 1 hour’s driving distance from the airport. Best time to visit pandas is before 09:00am when they are more active outdoors, and 3 to 4 hours is enough. Notice the time and don’t miss your connection flight.
Useful Links:
Chengdu Travel Guide / Things to Do in Chengdu / Where to Stay in Chengdu
Top Recommended Attractions: Chengdu Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Mt.Qingcheng, Renmin Park, Jinli Old Street, Kuaizhai Alley, Wenshu Monastery, Jinsha Site Museum, Sichuan Cuisine Museum, Sichuan Cuisine, Sichuan Opera.
1 to 3 days are enough to have a sightseeing tour to major attractions in city center and experience distinctive activities at the same time, or have a quick side trips to Dujiangyan, Leshan. Fulfilling a dream travel of Giant Panda always comes first, whether you are a panda lover or a first-time Chengdu traveler. More Chengdu City Tours >>
Chengdu One Day Trip: You can watch cute Giant Pandas in the morning, then stroll along Kuaizhai Alley and taste delicious local snacks there, finally relax and enjoy a leisure tea time in Renmin Park.
Chengdu 2 - 3 Days Tour: You may visit major landmarks in Chengdu. Visit Kuaizhai Alley to see the old buildings mixed with modern designs, to Wenshu Temple to sense Buddhism culture. Chinese traditional culture lovers are also recommended to Jinsha Site Museum, Dufu Thatched Cottage to learn past history of Chengdu. Gastronome can taste spicy Sichuan Cuisine and learn to cook in Sichuan Cuisine Museum. Watching a Sichuan Face-changing Opera at night is a funny local nightlife activity for entertainment.
It's very popualr to make a hiking trip in Mt. Qingcheng, enjoy journey to UNESCO World Heritages - Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei, visit Dujiangyan for attending Panda Volunteer Work.
Useful Links: Popular Leshan Tour / Hot Mount Emei Tour / Top Dujiangyan Tour
Recommended Tours:
Top Recommended Attractions: Chengdu/Dujiangyan Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Shunan Bamboo Forest, Mt. Qingcheng, Remin Park, Jinli Old Street, Wenshu Monastery, Kuaizhai Alley, Sichuan Cuisine Museum
A layover of 4 days and above is suitable for a in-depth tour in Chengdu or side trips to Dujiangyan, Leshan, Emeishan and else destinations in Sichuan . Except major scenic spots in Chengdu, you may extend further trip to see World Cultural Heritage sites nearby Chengdu, or other significant natural or cultural attractions in Sichuan.
Stay in Chengdu: The long-term stopover for up to 6 days offers you a great opportunity to know Chengdu well from all aspects. You are free to design a travel based on your hobbies, covering real panda viewing, sightseeing, local flavor tasting, night show watching, culture and history touching.
Visit Chengdu & Leshan & Dujiangyan: Dujiangyan is located about 60km/1.5 hrs’ driving northwest of Chengdu, which is well-known for Dujiangyan Irrigation System. If time permits, you are highly recommended to take a volunteer experience at Dujiangyan Panda Base and hike on the sacred Taoist heritage - Mt Qingcheng.
Recomended Tours:
China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide any visa support & help you need to travel to China. ( How to Get A Visa for China) Except Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian,Guangzhou, Xiamen, Kunming, etc also offers 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit, and Guilin, Harbin and Changsha are transit visa exempted for 72 hours. International transit travelers may take advantage it to experience different kinds of landscape, culture and history of China without applying a Chinese Visa. Know more cities and guide about China 144-Hour Visa-free Transit / China 72-Hour Visa-free Transit >>
Please feel free to contact us to join in our hottest Chengdu tours, or let us customize a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you.
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
Chengdu: Jinli Street, Giant Panda Base, Wenshu Temple
Chengdu / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Chengdu
Chengdu / Leshan / Mt. Emei / Chengdu
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