Guide for foreign nationals to learn about the 144-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

China National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced, Starting from 15th July 2024, a 144-hrs transit visa policy implemented at more Entry/Exit Ports. So far, foreigners who come from the following 54 countries who transit (destined for a third country or region - HK, Macau, Taiwan with booked a through air ticket) in 37 Exit-Entry Ports within 72 hours / 144 hours are exempted from visas for China. During the visa exemption period, the passenger is allowed to move around within a designated area. Details below:

144-hour transit visa-free Q&A

Q1: Which country passport holder can apply 72/144-hour transit visa?
A: Travelers from the following 54 countries can apply for the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption, which is:

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Within their stay periods, they can travel, engage in business activities, visit their friends and relatives, and engage in other short-term activities (subject to the relevant provisions if applicable to mutual visa exemption agreements signed with China or China's unilateral visa exemption).

Q2: 72 hours / 144 hours visa-free transit is available at which city of China?
A: Will be granted a visa-free stay of up to 144 hours while in transit via the following:

Will be granted a visa-free stay of up to 72 hours while in transit via the following city:  

Q3: How to apply for the 144-hour China Transit visa?

A: Take Chengdu for example, after getting off the plane you will head for immigration. Look for a counter that says "144 hours Transit visa exemption", you need to provide the following documents:

• Your valid passport

• Air ticket with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country (region)   traveling within 144 hours.

• Arrival & Departure Card form (filled).

The immigration officer may ask you questions to confirm your travel plan, if everything is correct, he/she will stamp the transit visa on your passport immediately.

Q4: How is the 144-hour stay under the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy calculated?

A: The 144-hour period starts at 12:00 a.m. on the day after your arrival. For example, if a traveler arrives in Chengdu at 7:00 a.m. on December 1, their 144-hour stay begins at midnight on December 2. This means they can remain within the designated administrative areas of the 11 cities covered by the policy until 11:59 p.m. on December 7.

If visitors are unable to depart on time due to unavoidable reasons, such as flight cancellation or treatment of sudden disease, they need to apply for a visa from the Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB).

Q5: Are there any Restrictions on the 144-hour Visa-free Transit?
A: Transit visa regulation does not apply to passengers who travel on a single return flight (e.g., London – Chengdu- London), which means the destination and place of departure can not be the same. For example:
USA - Chengdu - Seoul is available to apply for a 144-hour transit visa in Chengdu.
USA - Chengdu  - USA is NOT available to apply for a 144-hour transit visa in Chengdu.

USA - Singapore - Chengdu - USA is available to apply for a 144-hour transit visa in Chengdu.

Q6: With a 144-hour Visa-free Transit, which city can I visit?
A: Take Chengdu for example, with the 144-hrs transit visa, You can go to Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Yaan, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, and Yibing.

Q7: Can I enter China from Chengdu (apply for a transit visa) and leave China from Luzhou?
A: Yes, Luzhou is a city in Sichuan within the area that allows you to travel, as we mentioned above, during those 144 hours, you can travel to Luzhou and leave China from there.

Q8: Can I enter China from Chengdu (apply for a transit visa) and go to Beijing?
A: No, as we mentioned above, during those 144 hours, you can only travel to Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Yaan, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, and Yibing. Any other city outside of those areas is not available to go.