Shenzhen is the first special economic zone in China, which is located in Yangtze River Delta, southeastern Guangdong Province and borders Hong Kong SAR in the south. To encourage trade development, China has introduced 16 exit & entry preferential policies in Guangdong Free-Trade Zone (6) and in the whole Guangdong Province (10). All the 16 visa measures apply to Shenzhen as well as Guangzhou, including the recently issued 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit, Visa on Arrival (Port Visa), 6-Day Visa-Free Entry, etc. This article will give you useful and oevrall guide about Shenzhen’s 144-Hour TWOV foreign travelers most frequently asked.
Do I Need A Visa for Shenzhen?
Normally foreign visitor should apply and get a Chinese Visa to visit Shenzhen (China) before depature. However, different visa exemptions has been operated in Shenzhen, so please check who can visit Shenzhen without visa first. With qualification, certain visitors can also apply Shenzhen Visa on Arrival.
Who can enjoy Shenzhen Visa Exemption: 1.) Singapore, Brunei, Japan citiznes can visit Shenzhen visa free for tour, business and family visit for 15 days. 2.) Nationals from San Marino, Mauritius, Seychelles, Bahams, Fiji, Grenada, Ecuador, Tango, Serbia, Barbados, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Qatar can travel to to Shenzhen without visa for no more than 30 days. 3.) Holders of APEC Business Travel Card (business entry for 6 months), China Residence Permit, China Permanent Residence ID Card and visitors granted Visa-Free Transit (24 or 144 Hours) or 6-Day Visa-Free Entry to Pearl River Delta. China Visa Free Policy >>
Window of the World in Shenzhen
Shenzhen, together with Guangzhou, Jieyang (揭阳) started the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit since May 1st, 2019. The new policy allows foreign visitors from 53 countries to visit Shenzhen, Guangzhou and any city in Guangdong visa free for 144 hours, if he or she holds valid international travel document and connecting ticket to a third country or region. Tourists can exit through 32 ports in Guangdong.
It extends the previous 72 hours TWOV to 144 hours and increases ports of entry and exit, giving transit passengers more time to discovery multiple charm of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. No visa fees will be charged under this rule.
● Hold passport or international travel document with a validity of at least 3 months;
● Come from apponited 53 foreign countries in 4 continents;
● Transit in Shenzhen via Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and exit from Shenzhen Airport or Guangdong’s other designated 31 ports;
● Take connecting (flight or cruise ship) tickets with confirmed date (departing within 144 hours) and seat to a third country or region.
Note: 1.) Hong Kong and Macau are considered as the third regions from mainland China. 2.) Sucessfully getting transit visa exemption in Shenzhen, you may visit Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan and all cities in Guangdong for not exceeding 144 hours. 3.) Visa-free time counts from 00:00 the day after arrival.
Documents to Apply Shenzhen 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Qualified Visa-free Transit Countries List (53)
| 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. |
Tips: You are free to download the full visa free countries list in jpg format.
1. Travel Route
The 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption is only applicable for international transits through Shenzhen. So your last departure city shall be different from onward destination.
Eligible Routes Examples: Country (Region) A > Shenzhen > Country (Region) B
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > Thailand is OK
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > Hong Kong (or Macau) is Ok
● Hong Kong > Shenzhen > Macau is Ok
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > Guangzhou > Hong Kong is Ok
● U.S.A > Shenzhen > U.S.A is NOT OK
2. Stay Area
During the 144-hour visa-free visit, travelers are permitted to move around within the administrative precincts of Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Foshan and any cities in Guangdong Provinces.
3. Port of Entry
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is the only port of entry used. For exit, you can leave from one of the nine ports in Shenzhen (total 32 exit ports in Guangdong).
Entry Port in Shenzhen (1): Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport.
Exit Ports in Shenzhen (9): Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, Shenzhen Luohu Port, Huanggang Port, Shatoujiao Port, Wenjindu Port, Futian Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, Shenzhen Shekou Ferry Terminal, Shenzhen Fuyong Port.
So far, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has opened international (regional) flights to Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, Seoul, Bangkok, nearly 50 counties in 5 continents abroad. To better service transit passenger, immigration authority has set up special check channels and counters, and placed many obvious guide signs, posters, lightboxes, etc. Get to & around Shenzhen >>
4. Visa-Free Period
The 144 hours calculates from the 00:00 the day after arrival. It’s a good chance to enjoy an in-depth layover tour in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other destinations in Guangdong.
5. Booking Ticket
Please guarantee that you already booked ticket to onward country or region, because you’re required to present it to the officer when applying at the airport. After verification, a Temporary Entry Permit will be issued to allow your leaving out of airport.
Transit Foreigner was Applying Shenzhen TWOV
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Step 1 - When boarding, inform the air company staff that you will apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shenzhen. They will deliver your request to the Immigration Authority at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.
Step 2 - After landing, fill in the Arrival Card (blue version) at specialized desk, and then follow signs 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 Shenzhen and Guangdong after verification.
Step 4 - Go through customs and immigration formalities, and you can leave Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, stay in Shenzhen, or transfer from Shenzhen to Guangzhou, Zhuhai and other cities within administrative region of Guangdong, for a 6-day stopover tour.
Applicants was Lining up at Shenzhen Airport
Sample of Temporary Entry Permit
In Shenzhen, 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit is also available, that means you could have a Shenzhen layover tour for 1 to 6 days. What’s the major highlights to visit? Here are best travel ideas for you.
Shenzhen 1 Day Trip: for a quick sightseeing trip, you are recommended to travel to Window of the World and China Folk Culture Village and Shenzhen Museum.
Shenzhen Classic Tour: 2 to 3 days are suitable for main scenic spots in Shenzhen, covering more sites like Diwang Mansion, Spendid China, etc. Shopping and tasting Cantonese Food are must-do in the local.
Shenzhen Guangzhou (Guangdong) Tour: Shenzhen serves as an important gateway city to explore Guangdong. Extending further trip to other popular destinations in Guangdong lets you experience different cityscape, culture, history and folk customs. It’s suggested to witness stunning modern skyscrapers (Canton Tower), visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, enjoy Lion Dances in Foshan, photo Kaiping Diaolou in Jiangmen, etc.
Learn more about How to Plan a Shenzhen Tour >>
China Folk Culture Village in Shenzhen
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 Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Kunming, etc also offers 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit, and Guilin, Harbin, 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 most recommended Shenzhen tours, or let us customize a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you.
Our Singapore Tour Group Visisted Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou
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