As borders everywhere around the world make travel between countries an interesting challenge, it’s good to know there are small beacons of encouragement for hopeful, would-be travelers.
If China has ever been on your must-visit list, there are various options when it comes to visas. For convenience and practicality, it’s hard to go past a China Transit Visa if you’re willing to comply with the visa’s application requirements.
For some time now, the Chinese Government has implemented visa-free travel for certain foreign passport holders, with travel periods extending to 24, 72, or 144 hours. If this kind of short term travel option appeals to you, read on for more details that will help you make the most of your available time on a China Transit Visa.
Who qualifies for a China Transit Visa and where can I get one?
While the China Transit Visa allows for considerable visa-free travel in China, it doesn’t apply universally – to passport holders or ports of entry in China.
Essentially, visa-free travel is an option if you’re a foreign passport holder and in transit, that is, on your way, to a third country or region by plane, ship or train.
You can apply for visa-free transit in any one of the 20 cities listed in this article. Among the many cities where these visas can be obtained are popular destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, and Xi’an. Unless there is a designated “visa-free transit zone” around the city you’re visiting under the visa, travel in China is restricted to that destination.
Your Transit or (G) Visa application will need to be made and completed prior to departure and can be obtained by visiting the visa office of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your country. You will need a valid passport (at least 6 months of remaining validity) with at least one blank visa page in it, the application form, an acceptable photo, the valid visa of the country of destination, and the final destination air, train or ship tickets with confirmed travel date and seat.
However, visa-free transit can be approved on arrival in the cities listed above. Visa exemptions are available in a single destination for 24, 72, and 144 hour transits.
24 hours visa free transit
If you transit through China by airplane, ship or train, you are permitted to stay at the port for up to 24 hours. A Chinese visa is not required, however you will need to apply for a preliminary entry permit on arrival, and you will need to apply for temporary entry if you leave the port of entry. This visa exemption is available to all foreign travelers, and most ports of entry in China.
72 hour visa free transit
If you are a citizen from one of 53 countries around the world *, you are permitted to transit through China to a third country or region within 72 hours without a Chinese visa. Instead, you can apply for visa free transit on arrival at the specified Chinese border, or with assistance from your airline. This visa exemption is available at 15 international airports in specific cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Guangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi’an, Xiamen, Wuhan, Harbin, Qingdao and Changsha.
| * Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Albania. |
What you need for a 72 hour visa free transit
Requirements for a 72-hour visa transit are similar to other China visas. You will need:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months validity and required visas for destination countries (if relevant)
- Your ticket for travel beyond China with a confirmed date and seat, indicating departure within the 72 hour window. The ticket must also show your destination before arrival in China, including any stopovers outside China (required as evidence of a third country). For transit purposes, Hong Kong and Macau are considered third territories. Be aware that your departure city and the destination city must be in different countries or regions.
- To smooth the process on arrival in China, let the airline check in staff know you will need a visa free transit. They will advise customs at the related Chinese airport custom of your request before landing.
- Prior to disembarking from the plane, you will complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.
- Once you have disembarked from the plane, visit the relevant customs counter to obtain approval for your 72-hour Visa Free Transit and have your passport stamped with a “Temporary Entry Permit”.
What you need for a 144 hour visa free transit
From 1 December 2019, the Chinese government made the 144 hour transit visa available to travelers who are eligible for the 72 hour transit visa. This visa free travel policy is implemented in 27 ports in 20 cities* and can be applied for at the border.
| * Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Chongqing, Xi’an and Ningbo in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hebei, and Liaoning. |
Meeting the requirements for a 144 hour visa is simple. You will need:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months validity and required visas for destination countries (if relevant)
- Your ticket for travel beyond China with a confirmed date and seat, indicating departure within the 144 hour window. The ticket must also show your destination before arrival China, including any stopovers outside China (required as evidence of a third country). For transit purposes, Hong Kong and Macau are considered third territories. Be aware that your departure city and the destination city must be in different countries or regions.
- To smooth the process on arrival in China, let the airline check in staff know you will need a visa free transit. They will advise customs at the related Chinese airport custom of your request before landing.
- Prior to disembarking from the plane, you will complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.
- Once you have disembarked from the plane, visit the relevant customs counter to obtain approval for your 144 hour Visa Free Transit and have your passport stamped with a “Temporary Entry Permit”.
Which countries are eligible for China visa free transit
Wondering if your country of origin means you can apply for China visa free transit? Check out the list below before you start your application process.
| 24 Schengen countries in Europe | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| 15 European countries | United Kingdom, Ireland, Russia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco |
| 6 countries in North and South America | United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile |
| 2 Oceania countries | Australia, New Zealand |
| 6 Asian countries | Japan, Korea, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar |
Visa free cities in China
What about the visa free cities in China? Run your eye over the list below and start planning your next one city stopover in China.
| City of entry | Visa free transit | Visa free transit zone |
| Beijing | 144-hour visa-free by air, sea or train | Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region |
| Tianjin | 144-hour visa-free by air or sea | Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region |
| Shijiazhuang | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region |
| Qinhuangdao | 144-hour visa-free transit via sea port | Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region |
| Shanghai | 144-hour visa-free by air, sea or train | Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region |
| Hangzhou | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region |
| Nanjing | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region |
| Ningbo | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region |
| Shenyang | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Liaoning Province |
| Dalian | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Liaoning Province |
| Qingdao | 144-hour visa-free by air or sea | Shandong Province |
| Chengdu | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Chengdu and other nearby cities: including Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya’an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou and Yibin |
| Xiamen | 144-hour visa-free by air or sea | Xiamen |
| Kunming | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Kunming |
| Wuhan | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Wuhan |
| Guangzhou | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Guangdong Province |
| Shenzhen | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Guangdong Province |
| Jieyang | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Guangdong Province |
| Chongqing | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Chongqing |
| Xi’an | 144-hour visa-free transit via airport | Xi’an, Xi’anyang |
| Guilin | 72-hour visa-free transit via airport | Guilin |
| Harbin | 72-hour visa-free transit via airport | Harbin |
| Changsha | 72-hour visa-free transit via airport | Hunan Province |
Other China visa free travel considerations
Depending on your country of origin, and the region you are traveling from, there are other considerations for foreign travelers looking at China visa free travel.
Pearl River Delta Region
For a visit to the Pearl River Delta region, a foreign citizen holding an ordinary passport issued by any country with diplomatic relations with China is exempt from a visa if he or she is already in Hong Kong or Macao and joins a tourist group organized by a travel agency, which is registered in Hong Kong or Macao. The Pearl River Delta region includes Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing and Huizhou. The duration of the stay must not exceed six days.
Hainan
Foreign travelers from 59 countries, including the United Kingdom are exempt from needing a visa for Hainan. Travelers must register with a local Hainan travel agency before arrival, providing their passport information, round trip air tickets, hotel bookings and the travel itinerary in Hainan. Travel from or through Hong Kong or other places outside Mainland China with a direct flight to Hainan is permitted. The maximum length of visa free stay in Hainan is 30 days. Travelers must apply for a China visa if the stay needs to be extended or travel to other places in China is necessary.
Citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan
Citizens from Singapore, Brunei or Japan with an ordinary passport are exempt from a visa if: visiting mainland China for tourism, business, or meeting with friends or relatives, and entry to China is made through ports open to foreigners. The duration of the stay must not exceed 15 days.
A final word on China visa free travel
Although visa free travel is very convenient for international travelers who want to explore China, as with any visa application process, there is no guarantee of your visa being approved. Just as you would with travel to any destination, you will need to confirm eligibility with the relevant port of entry in China. Chinese border officials have the right to refuse entry without warning or explanation. To help make things go as smoothly as possible on your trip to China, be sure to contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, or the China Visa Application Service Centre in your country for further information well before you depart.
Looking for more information about China visa free travel? Check out other helpful articles in our Travel Guide, including a dedicated section on all things related to China visas. ChinaTours.com is a travel company dedicated to helping customers bring their travel dreams to life. We understand that your once in a lifetime trip to China starts well before departure, that’s why we provide useful information about important details on topics like China Transit visas to help make your arrival in China run like clockwork.
