Today, we’re sharing a comprehensive guide on China’s 144-hour visa-free entry policy for foreigners, based on the latest policy interpretation from the official Chinese government website (October 2024).
1. Visa-Free Entry Conditions
Foreign citizens who meet the following criteria can enjoy China’s 144-hour visa-free entry policy:
- Hold a valid international travel document.
- Possess a confirmed onward ticket for an international flight, ship, or train to a third country or region.
- Stay within China for no more than 24 hours without leaving the port of entry to avoid needing a visa.
- If leaving the port, a temporary entry card for foreigners must be completed and submitted.
- Visitors must stay within designated areas and cannot travel beyond the permitted regions.
2. Exit Requirements
When departing China, foreign citizens must submit the following documents:
- A valid international travel document.
- A confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
- A temporary exit card for foreign nationals.
3. Visa-Free Stay Duration
The 144-hour visa-free transit policy allows foreign travelers to stay in China for 144 hours (approximately six days), starting from 00:00 the day after entry.
4. Eligible Countries (54 Countries)
Citizens of the following 54 countries are eligible for China’s 144-hour visa-free entry policy.
- Europe:
- Western Europe: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Monaco, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland
- Northern Europe: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
- Eastern Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania
- Southern Europe: Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Albania, North Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro
- Americas:
- North America: United States, Canada, Mexico
- South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
- Asia:
- East Asia: South Korea, Japan, Brunei
- Southeast Asia: Singapore
- Middle East: UAE, Qatar
5. Permitted Stay Areas
Upon entering China through designated ports, foreign tourists can only move within the specified area and must depart from a port in the same region within the 144-hour period.
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region
Ports of Entry:
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Beijing Daxing International Airport
- Beijing West Railway Station
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport
- Tianjin International Cruise Port
- Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
- Qinhuangdao Seaport (Passenger)
Stay Areas:
- Beijing
- Tianjin
- Hebei Province
Yangtze River Delta Region (Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu)
Ports of Entry:
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Shanghai Seaport (Passenger)
- Shanghai Railway Port
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport
- Lianyungang Seaport (Passenger)
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
- Ningbo Lishe International Airport
- Wenzhou Port (Passenger)
- Zhoushan Port (Passenger)
Stay Areas:
- Zhejiang Province
- Shanghai
- Jiangsu Province
Guangdong Province
Ports of Entry:
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Nansha Port (Passenger)
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
- Shekou Port (Passenger)
- Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Stay Area: Entire Guangdong Province
Liaoning Province
Ports of Entry:
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
- Dalian Port (Passenger)
Stay Area: Entire Liaoning Province
Shandong Province
Ports of Entry:
- Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport
- Qingdao Seaport (Passenger)
Stay Area: Entire Shandong Province
Henan Province
Port of Entry:
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
Stay Area: Entire Henan Province
Chongqing
Port of Entry:
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Stay Area: Entire Chongqing
Yunnan Province
Ports of Entry:
- Kunming Changshui International Airport
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
- Mohan Railway Port
Stay Areas:
- Kunming
- Lijiang
- Yuxi
- Pu'er
- Chuxiong
- Dali
- Xishuangbanna
- Honghe
- Wenshan
Sichuan Province
Port of Entry:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Stay Areas:
- Chengdu
- Leshan
- Deyang
- Suining
- Meishan
- Ya'an
- Ziyang
- Neijiang
- Zigong
- Luzhou
- Yibin
Shaanxi Province
Port of Entry:
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
Stay Areas:
- Xi'an
- Xianyang
Fujian Province
Ports of Entry:
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
- Xiamen Seaport (Passenger)
Stay Area: Xiamen
Hubei Province
Port of Entry:
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
Stay Area: Wuhan
6. Entry Process
Foreign tourists must follow these steps upon arrival:
- Connect to WIFI: Connect to airport WIFI upon arrival.
- Fingerprint Collection: Head to the self-service fingerprint collection area.
- Fill in the Entry Card: Complete the temporary entry card (use your hotel address for the China address).
- Submit Documents: Queue in the 24/144-hour transit area, submit the entry card, passport, and onward ticket.
- Receive a Visa-Free Sticker: Customs will attach a sticker to your passport, confirming your visa-free status.
7. Common Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which countries' citizens can enjoy China’s 144-hour visa-free policy?
A: Citizens of 54 countries, including several from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, are eligible.
Q: Can I leave the permitted area within 144 hours?
A: No, visitors must stay within the specified region and exit through a designated port in that area.
China’s 144-hour visa-free policy offers a convenient option for short-term visits. This guide helps you plan your trip without the need for lengthy visa processes. Feel free to contact us at znjessie858@gmail.com for further assistance.