China’s 144-Hour (6 Days)Visa-Exemption Transit Policy (2023)
If anyone wishes to visit Chengdu, China without having to apply (and pay! ) for an extended visa, then China’s visa-free transit may be a great option. The guidelines are fairly straightforward and simple as long as one plans ahead and provides the required documents. This guide will walk through the updated policy as of March 1st, 2023.
Q: Which Countries & Nationalities Qualify for China Visa-Free Transit?
The following 53 countries are eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit visa:
Region |
Country |
Schengen Agreement |
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. |
Europe |
the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Russia, Monaco. |
America |
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile. |
Asia |
Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar. |
Oceania |
New Zealand and Australia. |
Q: What is the MUST requirement of 144-Hour Visa-Exemption Transit Policy?
- to possess a valid passport or other valid international travel documents, at least 3-mouth from expiration.
- an onward air / vessel / train ticket to a third country (region) with confirmed date and seat within 144-hours (6 days) upon arrival.
Q: What types of foreign nationals will not be issued a temporary entry permit?
- Those who are inadmissible to China in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations;
- Those whose international travel documents are valid for less than 3 months at the time of application, or those who possess international travel documents containing refusal stamps affixed by Chinese visa issuing authorities;
- Those who have records of illegal entry or exit, illegal stay or residence, or illegal employment in China in the past 5 years;
- Those who have seriously violated the regulation of registering their addresses for temporary residence in China with the public security bureaus in the past 2 years.
In addition, foreign crew members aboard internationally sailing vessels and their accompanying family members are not eligible for this policy.
Q: What laws and regulations must foreign nationals abide?
They must not leave the specified area of stay or overstay the visa-exemption period. In the first 24 hours of entry, foreign nationals themselves should register their residence addresses with the local public security bureaus or foreigner service stations, or those who provide the foreign nationals with residence can complete the registration on their behalf. For foreign nationals who dwell at a hotel, the hotel has the obligation to register residence for them. In case of force majeure which necessitates a longer period of stay than 144 hours within the visa-exemption area, they need to lodge an application to the exit and entry administration department of a public security bureau for corresponding stay or residence documents.
The following acts will be punishable by law by the immigration inspection authority or local public security authority:
- traveling beyond the specified areas of stay
- overstaying the visa-exemption transit period
- departing from unspecified ports
- failing to register residence information
Q: What is the procedure for 144-Hour Visa-Exemption Transit Policy?
- fill out an arrival card for temporary entry foreigners
- be interviewed by the immigration inspection authority.
Q: Which area can you visit if you enter Chengdu?
Cities including Chengdu, Ya’an, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou and Yibin, most of the panda bases and highlights have been covered.
Q: How is the duration of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy calculated?
The duration of stay as referred to in the 144-hour visa-free transit policy will begin from the entry time, the traveler will be allowed to stay for 144 hours (six days) at most in the area of Chengdu and nearby cities above without entry visa. If visitors are unable to depart on time due to unavoidable reasons, such as flight cancellation or treatment of sudden disease, they need to apply for a visa from Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB).
Q: If a citizen from one of the 53 eligible countries for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy does not hold a valid connecting travel ticket to a third country or region; can he/she apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit?
According to the regulations pertaining to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, any applicant must hold a valid connecting visitor tickets for travel, with confirmed seat and departure time within 144 hours, or he/ she must possess relevant supporting documents. The applicant must have these documentations before applying for the144-hour visa-free transit.
Q: If citizens from any of the 53 designated countries arrive in those specific regions mentioned above with a valid ticket for travel to their country of origin, with a confirmed seat and with a departure time within 144 hours, would he/she be eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy?
The policy applies for 144-hour visa-free transit rather than visa-free entry. Therefore, the applicant should transit to a third country or region. Visitors returning to their country of origin would not be eligible for this policy.
For example:
USA - Chengdu – Hong Kong is available to apply for the 144-hour transit visa in Chengdu.
Singapore – Chengdu - Thailand is available to apply for the 144-hour transit visa in Chengdu.
USA - Chengdu – USA is not available to apply for the 144-hour transit visa in Chengdu.
Q: Can I enter China in Chengdu and apply the transit visa, then leave China from another city (for example: Beijing) in the same 144-hour visa-free transit region?
No, you have to leave from Chengdu as well.
Q: What kind of punishment will be imposed on those who have successfully applied for and received the 144-hour visa-free transit but stayed in China for more than 144 hours?
According to the relevant regulations of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, individuals who do not hold a valid Chinese passport and are suspected of illegal residence in China will be warned. In case of gross violation, the offender will be fined RMB500 per day for illegal residence, not exceeding RMB10,000 in total, or he/she will be detained for 5-10 days. Anyone who violates the relevant laws and regulations for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy may not be accepted for future applications for visa-free transit.