72-Hour/144-Hour China Transit Visa

What is 72-hour/144-hour China Transit Visa?

Nationals from following 53 countries who transit via mainland China to a third country/region can be granted a visa-free stay up to 72 hours/144 hours on a city or region basis. Within the permitted region, visitors can choose any of the permitted port to leave China.

County List for China 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa (TWOV)

Europe: 24 Schengen countries - 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,

15 other European countries - Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus

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

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Asia: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar

List of China cities for 72-hour/144-hour Transit Visa (TWOV )

Who can enjoy 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa?

From the above, you may note that the transit must via mainland China and head to a third country or region (Hong Kong and Macau are regarded as region, which means that both of them can be deemed as the third destination).

Example:

✔London – Chengdu – Singapore

✔New York – Shanghai – Hong Kong

✔Dubai – Guangzhou – Shenzhen - Hong Kong – Dubai

✔Sydney – Hong Kong – Guangzhou - Sydney

✘London – Beijing – London (Not to the third country/region)

✘London – Beijing – Xian – Singapore (Xian is neither the third country/region nor in the permitted region of Beijing entry)            

✔London – Beijing – Tianjin – Tokyo (Beijing & Tianjin are in the permitted region)

How to calculate the time of 72 hours & 144 hours?

Instead of counting from the time of your arrival in China, the starting point to calculate is 00:00 of the next day after entry, and the ending point is 24:00 of the 3rd/6th day after entry.

Example: Your flight arrives at Beijing on 9am of 9rd October; the time will be counted from 00:00 of 10th October. You will have to leave Beijing (2 airports) or Tianjin (airport or cruise port) before 24:00 of 15th October.

Important notes: If you’re unable to depart China on your scheduled day due to unavoidable reasons, like flight cancellation, you need to apply for a China visa at Municipal Public Security Bureau.

How to apply for 72-hour/144-hour China Transit Visa?

Required Documents:

6 steps to apply for 72-hour/144-hour China Transit Visa

Step 1: Inform the carrier when boarding that you would apply for the transit visa when arrive in the transit city.

Step 2: Fill in an Arrival/Departure Card, which can be obtained from the carrier to China.

Step 3: Follow the signs to 72-hour/144-hour transit visa counter at the immigration inspection upon arrival. Fill in the Visa-free Transit Application and answer questions from the immigration officer. If you have a China visa but do not want to use it this time, do remember to tell the immigration officer.

Step 4: Get approved and your passport will be stamped a stay permit by the officer. The permitted duration of stay is shown on the stamp.

Step 5: Clear customs and leave airport to your hotel.

Step 6: Show your passport to check in hotel. If you do not stay in hotel, you must register yourself within 24 hours upon arrival at the local police station or Public Security Bureau.

What to do with China 72-Hour/144-Hour Transit Visa

Best City Tours for China 72-Hour/144-Hour Transit Visa holders：

5 Days Beijing Family Tour with China visa exemption

3 Days Harbin Ice Festival Tour with 72-hour transit visa

4 Days Chengdu Classic Tour with Mt. Emei and Leshan

Pre-cruise and Post cruise visa-free China tours:

5 Days Pre/Post Cruise Tour to Tianjin & Beijing

3 Days Pre/Post Cruise Shanghai & Suzhou Tour

Best China Bus Tours for 72-Hour/144-Hour Transit Visa holders:

One day Mutianyu Great Wall Bus TourUS$35

Xian Half Day Terra Cotta Warriors Bus TourUS$59

One day Li River Cruise and Ancient Yangshuo Bus TourUS$69

One day Chengdu Panda & Giant Buddha Bus TourUS$52

Best Short China Tours for 144-Hour Transit Visa holders:

5 Days Shanghai Suzhou Tongli Tour

9 Days Visa-free Tour to China Greater Bay Area