China 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Citizens from 38 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, Italy, and others, can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay until Dec. 31, 2025.
Additionally, citizens from 54 countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, and Russia, can benefit from a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit in China.
Contact us now to learn more about visa-free travel and let us craft your China trip for an unforgettable experience!
Travelers from 54 countries can stay in certain regions of China for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa.
The permitted regions for the 144 hours visa-free include Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xian, and Guangzhou, etc.
Who Can Enjoy the 144-hour Visa-Free Transit in China?
Now, citizens from these 54 countries can apply for 144-hour visa-free transit in China.
- Americas (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile
- Asia (6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar
- Europe (40 countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus, Norway
- Oceania (2 countries): Australia and New Zealand
Which Regions, Cities, and Ports in China Are Visa-free?
Currently, 34 cities in China are implementing the 144-hour visa-free policy, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xian...
Region 1. Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province
Permitted Ports of Entry/Exit:
- Beijing: Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing West Railway Station
- Tianjin: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN), Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
- Hebei Province: Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW), Qinhuangdao Seaport
Read the visa-free transit policy in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei for more details.
Region 2. Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces
Permitted Ports of Entry/Exit:
Shanghai:
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
- Shanghai Railway Station (Currently, there are no international trains available.)
- Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
- Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
- Lianyungang Port International Passenger Station
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
- Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB)
- Wenzhou International Cruise Port
- Zhoushan Archipelago International Cruise Port
Read the visa-free transit policy in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang for more details.
Region 3. Guangdong Province
Permitted Ports of Entry:
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
- Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Homeport
- Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (SWA)
Permitted Ports of Exit:
- Airports: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, Meizhou Meixian Airport, Zhanjiang Wuchuan Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan Airport
- Railway Ports: Guangzhou Tianhe Railway Station, Dongguan Railway Station, Foshan Railway Station, Zhaoqing Railway Station, Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station
- Road Ports: Shenzhen Shatoujiao Port, Wenjindu Port, Huanggang Port, Luohu Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, Futian Port, Zhuhai Gongbei Port, Hengqin Port, Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Liantang Port
- Seaports: Guangzhou Port, Nansha Port, Lianhuashan Port, Shekou Terminal, Shenzhen Airport Supporting Terminal, Jiuzhou Port, Wanzai Port, Wanshan Port, Doumen Port, Jiangmen Port, Heshan Port, Foshan Gaoming Port, Rongqi Port, Zhongshan Port, Dongguan Humen Port, Guangzhou Pazhou Port
Region 4. Liaoning Province
Permitted Ports of Entry/Exit:
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE)
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)
- Dalian Cruise Port
Region 5. Shandong Province
Permitted Ports of Entry/Exit:
- Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO)
- Qingdao International Cruise Home Port
Region 6. Sichuan Province (only certain areas allow visa-free stays)
Permitted Ports of Entry/Exit:
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
Permitted Visa-free Stay Areas: Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya'an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, Yibin
Region 7. Yunnan Province (only certain areas allow visa-free stays)
Permitted Ports of Entry/Exit:
- Kunming: Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)
- Lijiang: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG)
- Xishuangbanna: Mohan Railway Station
Permitted Visa-free Stay Areas: Kunming, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna, Yuxi, Pu'er, Chuxiong, Dali, Honghe, Wenshan
Other Regions: Chongqing, Xian/Xianyang, Wuhan, and Xiamen
Visa-free Permitted Ports of Entry/Exit:
- Chongqing: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG), Chongqing Wanzhou Wuqiao Airport (WXN)
- Xi'an: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
- Wuhan: Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
- Xiamen: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN), Xiamen Wutong Port, Xiamen International Cruise Terminal
Permitted Visa-free Stay Areas: The 144-hour visa-free transit in Xian/Xianyang, Wuhan, Chongqing, and Xiamen is limited to the specific port cities where visa-free entry is permitted. Travelers are not allowed to visit other locations within or outside of the province.
Requirements for a 144-Hour Transit Visa in China
1. You must hold a passport from one of the 54 eligible countries, valid for over 3 months.
2. You must be in transit to a third country or region (not the same country you arrived from). Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan belong to the third region.
For example, the USA to Shanghai to Hong Kong is acceptable for a 144-hour transit visa in Shanghai. But the USA to Shanghai to the USA, or the USA to Hong Kong to Shanghai is not qualified.
3. Your transit time is no more than 144 hours (from the first 00:00 hours after you enter).
4. You enter and leave from one of the eligible ports of entry.
5. You can travel only around the eligible areas or cities within 144 hours. But you cannot go to other cities or areas in China.
For example, if you get to Shanghai, you can only travel around Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang areas. If you arrive in Beijing, you can only travel around Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hebei area.
6. You will not have any stopovers.
Feel free to tell us your queries if you need any tour help.
How to Calculate the 144 Hours?
On arrival at one of the entry points, eligible foreign passengers will be issued a temporary entry permit by immigration officials. You can stay in a certain region without a China visa for up to 144 hours.
The 144 hours start from 00:00 hrs immediately following the time of entry.
For example, if you enter Chengdu at 6:00 am on May 1, 2025, your stay period starts counting down from 00:00 on May 2. So you can stay until 23:59 on May 7.
So you may stay longer than 144 (but less than 168) hours, depending on arrival and departure times.
If you want, we can help you create a 144-hour visa-free tour to maximize your time and meet your interests.
What Documents Necessary for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
- Valid international travel documents (including a passport valid for more than 3 months).
- Onward air/boat/train tickets to a third country (region). It must have confirmed the date and seat within 144 hours of the first 00:00 hours after arrival.
- Visa for a third country/region (if needed)
- Arrival and departure cards (filled in)
How to Apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit? - Just 6 Easy Steps
1. Inform your carrier agent that you wish to use a 144-hour visa-free transit at check-in.
2. Complete and submit the Arrival/Departure Card when you arrive at the China border.
3. Pass through the 144-hour visa-exemption transit inspection channel.
4. Present your tickets, passport, and arrival card to the immigration officer, stating your intention for visa-free transit.
5. Claim luggage and go through customs as normal.
6. Depart from the designated port before midnight on the sixth day and submit the departure card at security inspection.
Plan a Visa-free Transit Tour to China
We are here to help you plan your visa-free transit tour to China. We can customize a tour for you to make the most of your 144 hours in China. Just tell us your plan and we will do everything for you.