As borders everywhere around the world make travel between countries an interesting challenge, it’s good to know there are small beacons of encouragement for hopeful, would-be travelers.
If China has ever been on your must-visit list, there are various options when it comes to visas. For convenience and practicality, it’s hard to go past a China Transit Visa if you’re willing to comply with the visa’s application requirements.
For some time now, the Chinese Government has implemented visa-free travel for certain foreign passport holders, with travel periods extending to 24, 72, or 144 hours. If this kind of short term travel option appeals to you, read on for more details that will help you make the most of your available time on a China Transit Visa.
Who qualifies for a China Transit Visa and where can I get one?
While the China Transit Visa allows for considerable visa-free travel in China, it doesn’t apply universally – to passport holders or ports of entry in China.
Essentially, visa-free travel is an option if you’re a foreign passport holder and in transit, that is, on your way, to a third country or region by plane, ship or train.
You can apply for visa-free transit in any one of the 20 cities listed in this article. Among the many cities where these visas can be obtained are popular destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, and Xi’an. Unless there is a designated “visa-free transit zone” around the city you’re visiting under the visa, travel in China is restricted to that destination.
Your Transit or (G) Visa application will need to be made and completed prior to departure and can be obtained by visiting the visa office of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your country. You will need a valid passport (at least 6 months of remaining validity) with at least one blank visa page in it, the application form, an acceptable photo, the valid visa of the country of destination, and the final destination air, train or ship tickets with confirmed travel date and seat.
However, visa-free transit can be approved on arrival in the cities listed above. Visa exemptions are available in a single destination for 24, 72, and 144 hour transits.
24 hours visa free transit
If you transit through China by airplane, ship or train, you are permitted to stay at the port for up to 24 hours. A Chinese visa is not required, however you will need to apply for a preliminary entry permit on arrival, and you will need to apply for temporary entry if you leave the port of entry. This visa exemption is available to all foreign travelers, and most ports of entry in China.
72 hour visa free transit
If you are a citizen from one of 53 countries around the world *, you are permitted to transit through China to a third country or region within 72 hours without a Chinese visa. Instead, you can apply for visa free transit on arrival at the specified Chinese border, or with assistance from your airline. This visa exemption is available at 15 international airports in specific cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Guangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi’an, Xiamen, Wuhan, Harbin, Qingdao and Changsha.
| * Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Albania. |
What you need for a 72 hour visa free transit
Requirements for a 72-hour visa transit are similar to other China visas. You will need:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months validity and required visas for destination countries (if relevant)
- Your ticket for travel beyond China with a confirmed date and seat, indicating departure within the 72 hour window. The ticket must also show your destination before arrival in China, including any stopovers outside China (required as evidence of a third country). For transit purposes, Hong Kong and Macau are considered third territories. Be aware that your departure city and the destination city must be in different countries or regions.
- To smooth the process on arrival in China, let the airline check in staff know you will need a visa free transit. They will advise customs at the related Chinese airport custom of your request before landing.
- Prior to disembarking from the plane, you will complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.
- Once you have disembarked from the plane, visit the relevant customs counter to obtain approval for your 72-hour Visa Free Transit and have your passport stamped with a “Temporary Entry Permit”.
What you need for a 144 hour visa free transit
From 1 December 2019, the Chinese government made the 144 hour transit visa available to travelers who are eligible for the 72 hour transit visa. This visa free travel policy is implemented in 27 ports in 20 cities* and can be applied for at the border.
| * Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Chongqing, Xi’an and Ningbo in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hebei, and Liaoning. |
Meeting the requirements for a 144 hour visa is simple. You will need:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months validity and required visas for destination countries (if relevant)
- Your ticket for travel beyond China with a confirmed date and seat, indicating departure within the 144 hour window. The ticket must also show your destination before arrival China, including any stopovers outside China (required as evidence of a third