From Jan 30th, 2016, China granted 144-hour visa-free transit for foreign visitors at Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing.
The measure of 144-hour Transit Visa Exemption for Foreign Nationals from 51 countries destined for a third country (region) with booked a through air ticket goes into force as of Jan 30th, 2016.
From Dec 28th 2018, China granted 144-hour visa-free transit for foreign visitors at Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei (Tangshan, Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang).
Foreign visitors, who hold passports issued by the countries on the 144-hour Visa-free Transit Policy List, could apply for a visa-free transit stay in Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou + Beijing, Tianjing and Hebei.
Qualified Countries:
Passport holders of following 53 countries (updated on Dec 06 2013) and regions will be granted a visa-free stay of up to 144 hours while in transit via Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) & Hongqiao International Airport (SHA):
Albania, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.Qualified Ports:
Beijing: Capital International Airport, Beijing West Railway Station
Tianjin: Binhai International Airport, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
Shijiazhuang of Hebei: Zhengding International Airport
Qinghuangdao of Hebei: Qinhuangdao Port
Shanghai: All air, sea and railway ports, including Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Wusong Passenger Transport Center and all railway stations.
Hangzhou of Zhejiang: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
Nanjing of Jiangsu: Nanjing Lukou Airport
Requirements for the visa-free transit:
- Holding passports issued by the above Qualified Countries,
- Holding valid international travel documents,
- Qualified for the entry requirements of their third destination country,
- Holding valid airline tickets with 144-hour validation and making transit through above Qualified Ports to the third country, and reported to Chinese immigration inspection authority by their airline companies.
Restrictions of the 144-hour Visa-free Transit:
- This regulation does not apply to passengers who travel on a return flight (e.g., USA - Beijing - USA), which means the destination and place of departure can not be in the same country.
- The 144-hour visa-free stay only applies to transit via above Qualified Ports.
- Visitors are not allowed to leave Shanghai, Jiangsu provice and Zhejiang province andBeijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province during the 144-hour visa-free period.
- 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 Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB).
The Unqualified Foreigners:
- Hold passport which valid less than 3 months or has rejection stamp on passport.
- Has illegal employment record, illegal exit and entry record, or illegal residence record in the past 5 years.
- Other situation mentioned by relevant law and regulation.
How can a qualified foreigner apply for it?
A foreign national that meets the requirements may submit his/her request to the airline company that carries him/her and the airline company or the passenger him/herself shall make the application to the border control authorities that shall grant a temporary entry of a passenger meeting the requirements for transit visa exemption upon verification.
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