China 144 Hour Visa Free Transit Guide (2025) - Complete Rules

Visit China for up to 6 days without a visa! The 144-hour visa-free transit policy lets citizens from 54 countries explore major Chinese cities during a layover. Here's everything you need to know.

Quick Summary

Citizens of 54 countries can stay in China for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa, as long as you have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country and enter/exit through designated ports.

Eligible Countries (54 Total)

Americas

United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

Europe

UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, and more EU countries

Asia & Oceania

Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Qatar

Key Requirements

1. Valid passport with at least 3 months validity
2. Confirmed onward ticket to a third country (not your departure country)
3. Enter and exit through designated ports (see list below)
4. Stay within designated area (varies by entry port)

Critical Rule: You MUST travel to a third country. Flying USA → China → USA does NOT qualify. You need something like USA → China → Japan.

Designated Entry/Exit Ports

Beijing Area (Stay in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei)

• Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
• Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
• Tianjin Airport
• Beijing West Railway Station (international trains)

Shanghai Area (Stay in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang)

• Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
• Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
• Hangzhou Airport
• Nanjing Airport

Guangdong Area (Stay in Guangdong Province)

• Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN)
• Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX)

Other Cities

• Chengdu, Xi'an, Kunming, Chongqing
• Qingdao, Xiamen, Wuhan, Dalian

How to Apply (At the Airport)

1. Arrival: Follow signs to "Transit Visa-Free" or "144 Hour Visa-Free"
2. Fill out form: Complete the temporary entry permit application
3. Show documents: Passport, boarding pass for onward flight, hotel booking
4. Get stamped: Receive a 144-hour temporary entry permit
5. Time starts: Your 144 hours begin at midnight the next day

What You Can Do During 144 Hours

• ✅ Sightseeing and tourism
• ✅ Business meetings and conferences
• ✅ Visiting friends and family
• ✅ Shopping and leisure
• ❌ Working for Chinese companies
• ❌ Studying at Chinese institutions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Same-Country Round Trip

Flying from USA to China and back to USA doesn't qualify. You need to continue to a third country.

2. Leaving the Designated Area

If you enter through Beijing, you can only visit Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. Going to Shanghai would violate your permit.

3. Overstaying

144 hours is strictly enforced. Overstaying results in fines, detention, and potential ban from China.

4. No Hotel Booking

Immigration may ask for proof of accommodation. Have your hotel booking ready.

Pro Tips for 144-Hour Transit

• Book refundable hotels in case of delays
• Screenshot your onward ticket - you'll show it multiple times
• Arrive during daytime if possible - immigration lines are shorter
• Download WeChat and Alipay before arriving
• Get a local SIM card at the airport
• Save offline maps - Google Maps doesn't work in China

Sample 144-Hour Itinerary: Shanghai

Day 1: Arrive at Pudong, check into hotel, explore The Bund at night

Day 2: Yu Garden, Old Town, Nanjing Road shopping

Day 3: Day trip to Suzhou (water town) or Shanghai Disneyland

Day 4: French Concession, Tianzifang, museum hopping

Day 5: Lujiazui skyscrapers, Jin Mao Tower, last-minute shopping

Day 6: Departure - arrive at airport 3 hours early

Related Guides

• Shanghai Airport to City - Getting to your hotel
• Beijing Subway Guide - Navigate like a local
• How to Use Alipay - Pay like a local

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Last updated: December 2025 | Verify current policy at your Chinese embassy before traveling