China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy allows qualifying foreign nationals to enter China without a visa for up to 6 days (144 hours) when transiting through specific cities on their way to a third country. It’s available in 26 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi’an, Hangzhou and others. To qualify, you need: a passport from an eligible country, an onward ticket to a third country (not back to your country of origin), and entry/exit through approved ports. This page explains every rule, all eligible cities, and exactly how to use it.
Table of Contents
Which cities have the 144 hour visa free transit policy?
As of 2026, the 144-hour visa-free transit is available in the following cities and their associated entry/exit ports:
Tier 1 — Major hubs (most airports and some train stations):
- Beijing — Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport
- Shanghai — Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Port (cruise)
- Guangzhou — Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Shenzhen — Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Shenzhen Bay Port, Futian Port
- Chengdu — Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu Airport
Tier 2 — Additional cities: Xi’an, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Dalian, Shenyang, Harbin, Kunming, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Chongqing, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Haikou, Guiyang
⚠️ Important: You must enter and exit through the same designated city/region. You cannot enter through Beijing and exit through Shanghai under the same 144-hour exemption.
Who qualifies for the 144 hour visa free transit?
You qualify if:
- You hold a passport from one of the eligible countries (most Western nations qualify — US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, etc.)
- You have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region — not a return ticket to your home country
- You enter and exit through designated ports in the same policy region
- You are genuinely in transit — not using this as a tourist visa workaround for a full holiday
Eligible nationalities: Most Western passport holders qualify, including citizens of the US, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and many others. The full list is published by China’s National Immigration Administration.
Third country requirement explained: If you’re flying from the UK to Japan and connecting through Beijing, you qualify — UK to Japan, transiting China. If you’re flying from the UK to Beijing as your final destination, you do not qualify.
How do I use the 144 hour transit exemption step by step?
Step 1 — Book a qualifying itinerary Book flights with a stopover in a qualifying Chinese city, with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. The stopover connection time must allow at least some time in the city (24–144 hours is the window).
Step 2 — Do not apply for a visa No advance visa application is needed. You declare your transit status on arrival.
Step 3 — Arrive and proceed to immigration At Chinese immigration, present your passport, the onward ticket to your third country, and your accommodation address in China (hotel booking is strongly recommended). Tell the officer you are using the 144-hour visa-free transit.
Step 4 — Receive your entry stamp You’ll receive an entry stamp noting your permitted stay (up to 144 hours from entry).
Step 5 — Explore the city freely You can leave the airport, visit attractions, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants — everything a normal tourist does, within the time limit and designated region.
Step 6 — Depart before your 144 hours expire Return to the airport and depart on your onward flight to the third country. Overstaying will result in fines and potential bans from future entry.
What are the rules and restrictions I need to know?
The most important rules:
- 144 hours maximum — count from the exact time you enter, not from midnight. If you enter at 3pm on Monday, you must exit by 3pm on Sunday.
- Same region restriction — you must enter and exit through ports within the same designated city/region. Check which ports are covered by your city of transit.
- Onward ticket to a third country is mandatory — without a confirmed onward booking to a country different from where you boarded your flight, you will be denied the exemption.
- No employment or studying — the transit exemption is for tourism and transit only.
- Can be used multiple times — there is no restriction on how many times you can use the 144-hour exemption, as long as you qualify each time.
- Register at your accommodation — hotels automatically register foreign guests with local authorities. If staying with friends or in an Airbnb, you (or your host) must register with the local police station within 24 hours.
💡 The 72-hour option: Some cities offer a shorter 72-hour visa-free transit for nationalities or situations that don’t qualify for the full 144 hours. If 144 hours isn’t available to you, check if 72 hours applies.
How does the 144 hour visa-free transit work in China?
It allows qualifying foreign nationals to enter China without a visa for up to 144 hours (6 days) when transiting through one of 26 designated cities on their way to a third country. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a country different from your departure country, and you must enter and exit through the same city’s designated ports.
Can US citizens use the 144 hour transit?
Yes — US citizens are eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit. This means an American can transit through Beijing, Shanghai or other qualifying cities for up to 6 days without a visa, as long as they have an onward ticket to a third country.
Do I need to book anything in advance for the 144 hour transit?
No visa application is needed. However, you should: book a qualifying itinerary (with an onward ticket to a third country), book a hotel (strongly recommended as proof of accommodation), and check that your specific entry and exit ports are both covered by the policy.
Can I use the 144 hour transit to visit multiple cities?
Only within the same policy region. For example, within the Shanghai transit region, you may be able to visit nearby cities. But you cannot use a single 144-hour transit to visit both Beijing and Shanghai — these are separate policy regions.
→ China Visa on Arrival: the real answer
