Requirements and Eligible Countries for China’s 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
To apply for the 72-hour visa-free transit, travelers must hold a valid passport or other international travel document, along with a confirmed onward ticket with a departure date and seat within 72 hours to a third country or region. For example, routes such as “USA-Xiamen-Hong Kong” or “Country A + Mainland China + Countries C, D, E” qualify under this policy. Applicants must fill out a Temporary Entry Form for Foreign Nationals and be subject to questioning by immigration officers.
1. List of 54 Eligible Countries for 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit:
This policy is applicable to nationals from the following countries:
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, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
These nationals, with a valid travel document and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within the 72-hour timeframe, may apply for the visa-free transit at approved entry ports within the designated cities. After clearance, they will be issued temporary entry permits, allowing a visa-free stay calculated from midnight of the day following entry.
2. Airports and Stay Scope for the 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy:
Designated airports for the 72-hour visa-free transit and specific stay limits within city areas are available for travelers to complete their transit while benefiting from the visa-free entry. Please consult the current list of cities where the policy applies and ensure compliance with the designated stay zones as provided by the immigration authorities.
Related Links:144-hour Transit Visa Exemption in China
Official Guidance: Entry and Stay Requirements under China’s 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Thank you for your interest in China’s immigration management policies.
For foreigners entering China under the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, please note that they must stay within the specified areas for each entry point:
- Stay Regions: In certain cities, the stay covers the entire administrative area. This applies to 16 cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Chongqing, Changsha, and Ningbo. In cities like Xiamen, the stay is restricted to city limits only. Chengdu’s policy permits transit visa-free visitors to travel within 11 surrounding cities, and Xi’an policy permits stays within Xi’an and Xianyang only.
- Integrated Regional Policies: The State Immigration Administration has developed integrated regional policies that allow travelers more flexibility within designated multi-city areas. For instance:
- Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region (144 hours): Foreigners may enter and exit through various ports, including Beijing Capital International Airport, Daxing International Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Tianjin Binhai International Airport, International Cruise Home Port, Hebei’s Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport, and Qinhuangdao Seaport. Once admitted, visitors can travel throughout Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei’s administrative areas for up to 144 hours.
- Yangtze River Delta Region (Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang) (144 hours): Travelers may enter and exit from any of Shanghai’s international airports and passenger seaports, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, and Nanjing Lukou International Airport. The policy allows travel within Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu administrative areas for up to 144 hours.
- Guangdong Region (144 hours): Foreigners applying for 144-hour visa-free transit may enter at Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao’an, or Jieyang Chaoshan Airports. Exiting is permitted at any of the 32 authorized ports, which include Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao’an, Meizhou, Zhanjiang, Jieyang Chaoshan Airports; Guangzhou Tianhe, Dongguan, Foshan, Zhaoqing railway ports; and seaports including Shekou Terminal, Guangzhou Port, Nansha Port, among others. Travelers may stay within Guangdong Province’s administrative areas for a maximum of 144 hours.