China 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Complete Guide (2026)

Short answer: the 144-hour (6-day) visa-free transit policy no longer exists. In December 2024, China replaced the old 72/144-hour rules with a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy. If you are searching for "144-hour visa free", the current rules below are what actually apply to your trip.

Full guide: For eligible countries, ports, travel zones and itineraries, read the China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Complete Guide (2026).

Quick Facts (Current 240-Hour Policy)

Detail	Information
Duration	Up to 240 hours (10 days)
Eligible countries	57 countries (since Aug 20, 2026)
Entry ports	65 ports of entry across 24 provincial-level regions
Cost	Free
Purpose	Tourism, business, visiting family
Key requirement	Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region
Advance application	Not required, apply at immigration

144-Hour vs. 240-Hour: What Changed

Feature	Old 144-hour policy	Current 240-hour policy (since Dec 2024)
Max stay	6 days (144 hours)	10 days (240 hours)
Eligible countries	54	57
Entry ports	Limited list of ports	65 ports
Travel area	Restricted to the entry city or regional zone	Across the permitted regions (24 provincial-level regions)

The biggest practical change: under the old rules you were tied to the zone of your entry port (for example Shanghai/Jiangsu/Zhejiang). Now you can travel across provinces within the permitted regions, so a single trip can combine cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai.

Eligible Countries (57 Total)

Europe (40 Countries)

Countries
Albania	Hungary	Poland
Austria	Iceland	Portugal
Belarus	Ireland	Romania
Belgium	Italy	Russia
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Latvia	Serbia
Bulgaria	Lithuania	Slovakia
Croatia	Luxembourg	Slovenia
Cyprus	Malta	Spain
Czech Republic	Monaco	Sweden
Denmark	Montenegro	Switzerland
Estonia	Netherlands	Ukraine
Finland	North Macedonia	United Kingdom
France	Norway
Germany
Greece

Americas (6 Countries)

Countries
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Mexico
United States

Oceania (2 Countries)

Countries
Australia
New Zealand

Asia (9 Countries)

Countries
Brunei
Indonesia
Japan
Kyrgyzstan
Qatar
Singapore
South Korea
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam

Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added on August 20, 2026, bringing the total from 55 to 57.

Not on the 240-Hour List

If your passport is not listed above (for example India, Pakistan, the Philippines or most African countries), the transit policy does not apply to you. Some nationalities have separate mutual visa-exemption arrangements instead, such as Thailand and Malaysia. Check the China Visa Requirements guide for your options.

Current Requirements

1. Valid Passport

• Valid for at least 3 months
• From one of the 57 eligible countries

2. Confirmed Onward Ticket

This is the most important requirement. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket (fixed date and seat) to a third country or region, not back to where you came from.

Valid examples:

• USA → China → Japan ✓
• Australia → China → Hong Kong ✓
• UK → China → Vietnam ✓
• Germany → China → Macau ✓

Invalid examples:

• USA → China → USA ✗ (same as origin)
• UK → China → UK ✗ (same as origin)

Note: Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as separate "third regions" for this policy.

3. Permitted Activities

Tourism, business, and visiting family are all fine. Work, study and journalism require the appropriate visa.

4. Enter Through a Designated Port

You must enter through one of the 65 designated ports of entry, and you may travel across provinces within the permitted regions.

How the 240 Hours Are Counted

The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after your arrival.

Event	Time
Land in Shanghai	March 10, 2:00 PM
240 hours start	March 11, 12:00 AM (midnight)
240 hours end	March 21, 12:00 AM (midnight)
Must exit by	March 20, 11:59 PM

Plan your departure with a comfortable margin; do not cut it close.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Verify eligibility: check your passport country and intended entry port.
2. Book a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, departing within 240 hours.
3. Print or save your itineraries (both flights) and hotel booking.
4. Fill in the arrival card: since November 20, 2025 you can complete it in advance on the NIA website (s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/), in the "12367" app, or via WeChat/Alipay mini-programs. Paper or kiosk forms on arrival are still accepted.
5. At immigration, use the visa-free transit lane or counter, present your passport and onward ticket, and note the exit deadline on your stamp.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Round-trip itinerary: USA → China → USA does not qualify. Add a third country or region such as Japan or Hong Kong.
2. Departing after the window: if your onward departure is more than 240 hours after arrival, you won't qualify.
3. Using an outdated 144-hour plan: you can now stay longer and travel across provinces, but you still need a confirmed onward ticket.
4. Unconfirmed onward ticket: a placeholder or open-dated booking may be refused.
5. Miscounting days: the time limit is precise, so overstaying even by a few hours is a violation.

Extending Your Stay

The transit policy is designed for short stays. If you need more time, apply for a visa before travelling. If you are from a country on the 30-day visa-free list (the United States is not), see the 30-day visa-free guide.

FAQ

Is the 144-hour policy still available?

No. It was replaced by the 240-hour policy in December 2024. Old 72-hour and 144-hour rules, with their city-by-city zones, no longer apply.

Can I enter China with just a one-way ticket to China?

No. You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.

Does Hong Kong count as a third destination?

Yes. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as third regions.

Is there also a 24-hour transit option?

Yes. The 24-hour direct transit exemption still exists for all nationalities.

Can I use it for business?

Yes, for business activities such as meetings. Employment requires a work visa.

Can I visit Tibet or Xinjiang?

No. Tibet needs a separate Tibet Travel Permit, and Xinjiang is outside the transit scope.

Where are the full port list and itineraries?

See the China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Complete Guide (2026).

Summary Checklist

Before departure:

• Passport valid 3+ months
• Passport country on the 57-country list
• Confirmed onward ticket (fixed date and seat) to a third country/region
• Onward departure within 240 hours of arrival
• Entry port on the 65-port list
• Printed itineraries and hotel booking
• Arrival card filled in (online in advance or on arrival)

---

Planning your visa-free China trip? The China Survival Kit includes city guides, payment setup, essential apps, and everything you need for your time in China.