Today, with the deepening of globalization, exchanges and cooperation among countries have become increasingly important. In order to facilitate international travel and business exchanges, China has introduced the 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies. The implementation of this policy is aimed at providing greater convenience and flexibility for foreign tourists who transit China for a short period of time. However, many people may not have a clear understanding of the specific details of this policy and the application process. Next, we will delve into the core content of this policy, who it applies to, and how it can be effectively used to promote personal and business activities. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of China's 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies, we can better grasp China's role in the process of globalization and how this policy provides increased opportunities and convenience for international tourists and business people.

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What is Visa-Free Transit?

Visa-free transit is a policy that permits foreigners to travel from one country to a third country through a transit country without the need to apply for a visa from the transit country. It is a key component of the visa-free system adopted by countries globally. This policy allows foreigners to briefly stay in the transit country in compliance with its laws and regulations.

What Do China's 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies Refer To?

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China's 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies are a convenient measure for citizens of specific countries who do not need to apply for visas for short stays when transiting through designated cities.

In order to facilitate short-term exchanges between Chinese and foreign individuals, China has implemented the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies since 2016. The purpose of this policy is to enhance the convenience of various short-term activities such as tourism and business, thereby promoting further development in terms of openness and economic globalization. After the COVID-19 pandemic, China reinstated the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption policy on November 17, 2023, and expanded the list of eligible countries to 54.

Which Countries Do China's 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies Apply to?

China has expanded the scope of its 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies to include visitors from Norway starting from November 17, 2023, thereby increasing the number of countries covered by the policies to 54. Please refer to the updated list below for eligible countries:

Europe (40 countries): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine;  The Americas (six countries): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the United States;  Oceania (two countries): Australia and New Zealand;  Asia (six countries): Brunei, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
（Note: The above information is from National Immigration Administration and  only for reference.）

How can Foreigners Apply for the 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China?

Any foreigner applying for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit needs to meet the following three conditions:

  • 1. He/She must be a citizen of one of the countries entitled to the 72/144-hour visa-free transit.
  • 2. He/She must hold a valid international travel document (valid for no less than three months) that can prove his/her nationality and identity, and meet the conditions for entering a third country/region;
  • 3. He/she must hold a connecting ticket to a third country/region with a confirmed date and seat for departure within 72/144 hours or relevant certificates as per the amount of time applied for the visa-free transit, fill out the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners, and accept inquiries from the entry-exit border inspection authority.

    • Foreigners who meet the above conditions can apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit at the entry-exit border inspection authorities in 20 cities in China, or the 72-hour visa-free transit in three cities. Application is not possible in the cities that have not yet implemented this policy.

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    （pic from the State Council of the Republic of China）

    Kind Reminder
    The border control authorities will not issue temporary entry permits to a foreigner if:
    - His/her passport or any other international travel document is expiring in less than three months, or any of his/her travel documents has a rejection stamp by a visa-issuing agency in China.
    - He/she has a record of illegal entry or exit, illegal residence, or illegal employment within the last five years.
    Foreigners under these circumstances are not entitled to the 72/144-hour visa-free transit.
    （Note: The above information is from National Immigration Administration and  only for reference.）

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    All in all, China's 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies provide great convenience for international tourists and business people. This not only reflects China's open attitude towards the outside world but also serves as a microcosm of its active participation in the process of globalization. We warmly welcome friends from all corners of the globe to visit China. We are confident that your trip will be rewarding, offering you a unique experience and a fresh understanding of China!