Did you know that China offers a convenient way for travelers to visit the country without needing a visa? It’s called the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy. This policy allows eligible foreigners from selected countries to enjoy a three or six-day stay in certain Chinese cities without the requirement of obtaining a visa in advance.
The 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy is part of China’s visa exemption policies, designed to promote tourism and facilitate travel for visitors. This means that if you are a citizen of one of the 54 eligible countries, you can take advantage of this policy and explore fascinating Chinese cities without the hassle of obtaining a visa.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore China’s enchanting cities and create unforgettable memories without the need for a visa. Start planning your visa-free adventure today!
Which countries’ citizens can use the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy?
- 40 countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus.
- 6 countries in Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
- 2 countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
- 6 countries in Asia: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
What are the requirements for 72/144-hours visa-free transit policy?
- A valid passport or another international travel document that is valid for more than three months from the arrival date;
- A connecting ticket with the confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region within 72/144 hours;
- the Arrival card for Temporary Entry that is filled out upon arrival in China.
In which cities does the 72/144-hours visa-free transit policy work?
| City | Name of Port | Allowed Destinations for Staying |
| 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit | ||
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport | Beijing Municipality,Tianjin Municipality,Hebei Province |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport | ||
| Beijing West Railway Station | ||
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport | |
| Tianjin International Cruise Home Port | ||
| Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport | |
| Qinhuangdao,Hebei Province | Port of Qinghuangdao | |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport | Shanghai Municipality,Jiangsu Province,Zhejiang Province |
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport | ||
| Port of Shanghai | ||
| Shanghai Railway Station | ||
| Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | |
| Ningbo,Zhejiang Province | Ningbo Lishe International Airport | |
| Nanjing, Jiangsu Province | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | |
| Guangzhou, Guangdong pProvince | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Guangdong Province |
| Shenzhen, Guangdong Province | Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport | |
| Jieyang, Guangdong Province | Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | |
| Shenyang, Liaoning Province | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Liaoning Province |
| Dalian, Liaoning Province | Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | |
| Qingdao, Shandong Province | Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport | Shandong Province |
| Port of Qingdao | ||
| Chengdu, Sichuan Province | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya’an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, Yibin |
| Xiamen, Fujian Province | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | Xiamen |
| Port of Xiamen | ||
| Wuhan, Hubei Province | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Wuhan |
| Chongqing, | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing |
| Kunming, Yunnan Province | Kunming Changshui International Airport | Kunming |
| Xi’an, Shaanxi Province | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport | Xi’an and Xianyang |
| 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit | ||
| Changsha, Hunan Province | Changsha Huanghua International Airport | Hunan Province |
| Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region | Guilin Liangjiang International Airport | Guilin |
| Harbin, Heilongjiang Province | Harbin Taiping International Airport | Harbin |
It’s important to know that in most cases (except in Guangdong Province), you need to leave the country through the same ports where entry is permitted. Make sure to pay attention to the approved arrival airports, railway stations, or cruise ports for both entry and exit when planning your trip. Ensure that your itinerary during your stay in China stays within the permitted areas to avoid crossing into unauthorized zones or illegally exiting the country.
Why visa-free transit can be denied?
- If you are not allowed to enter China under Chinese laws or administrative regulations;
- Your passport or other international travel document is expiring in less than three months, or contains a previous stamp of rejection by a Chinese visa-issuing agency;
- You have previously illegally entered or exited China, illegally resided in China, or illegally worked in China in the last five years;
- If you have a record of violating accommodation registration regulations in the last two years, and the circumstances were considered “severe”;
- You are not going to a third country after leaving China as the visa-free transit policy applies only to travelers bound for a third country and therefore transiting through China.
The 72/144-hour visa-free policy is not applicable to crew members of international aircraft or ships or their accompanying family members.
Important to know
During your stay in China, it is important to follow the laws and regulations. You must not go beyond the allowed travel area or stay longer than permitted.
If you stay at a hotel, they will register your stay with the local police using your passport. However, not all hotels can accommodate foreign guests due to this requirement.
If you stay elsewhere, like at a friend’s or family member’s house, you and your host must register at the local police station within 24 hours of your arrival. Bring your passport, your host’s housing contract, and their ID card for this registration. Some cities, like Shanghai, offer online registration options. While some travelers may skip this step as it can be inconvenient, it’s important to note that it could cause problems in certain situations, such as dealing with police during formal procedures.
If you need to stay longer than the permitted 144 hours due to an unexpected incident, you must apply for a stay permit at the local police station.
Leaving the permitted area, overstaying your entry permit, departing from a non-designated exit port, or failing to register your accommodation properly may result in punishment by immigration authorities or border forces.
If you plan to stay longer or not transiting, then you should apply for Chinese visa.