72/144 Hours Visa-Free Transit – The Full List!

As of April, 2024, Chinese authorities have extended the 72/144 hours visa-free transit policy to 54 countries. 

Travelers from eligible countries can transit through specified Chinese cities without a visa for up to 72 or 144 hours, facilitating short-term tourism and business activities.

Cities Implement the 72 Hours Visa-free Transit Policy

• Changsha

• Guilin

• Harbin

Cities Implement the 144 Hours Visa-free Transit Policy

• Beijing

• Chengdu

• Chongqing

• Dalian

• Guangzhou

• Hangzhou

• Jinan

• Kunming

• Nanjing

• Ningbo

• Qingdao

• Qinhuangdao

• Shanghai

• Shenyang

• Shenzhen

• Shijiazhuang

• Tianjin

• Wuhan

• Xi'an

• Xiamen

Eligible travelers must possess valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region within the designated transit period.

Countries Eligible for the 72/144 hours Visa-free Transit Policy

EUROPE

• Albania

• Austria

• Belarus

• Belgium

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Bulgaria

• Croatia

• Cyprus

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Hungary

• Iceland

• Ireland

• Italy

• Latvia

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Malta

• Monaco

• Montenegro

• Netherlands

• North Macedonia

• Norway

• Poland

• Portugal

• Romania

• Russia

• Serbia

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Ukraine

• United Kingdom
  

AMERICAS

• Argentina

• Brazil

• Canada

• Chile

• Mexico

• United States

OCEANIA

• Australia

• New Zealand

ASIA

• Brunei

• Japan

• Qatar

• Singapore

• South Korea

• United Arab Emirates

72/144 Hours Visa Free Transit Policy FAQs

In response to common inquiries regarding the 72/144 Hours Visa Free Transit policy, Chinese immigration authorities have issued the following clarifications:

• Entry and exit destinations must be different countries or regions.

• Calculation of stay duration: The stay period for travelers under the 72/144 hours visa-free transit policy starts from 00:00 the day after entry. For example, if a traveler entered China on May 1, 2024, the stay period would start from 00:00 on May 2, 2024, and they can stay in the visa-free transit area for up to 6 days until 24:00 on May 7, 2024.

• Accommodation registration: Travelers staying in hotels will have their accommodation registration handled by the hotel. Those staying outside hotels should register with the local public security bureau within 24 hours of arrival.

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[Cover image via Billy Jiang/That's]