China transit visa 72h/144h 2026

February 24, 2026

China Transit Visa 72h/144h 2026: Complete Guide & Eligibility Source: National Immigration Administration of China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRC

In 2026, China continues to implement the 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa exemption policy for foreign travelers, facilitating convenient transit through major Chinese cities. This guide details eligible nationalities, applicable cities, stay limits, entry requirements, and key notes to avoid transit troubles.

Key Definitions & Policy Overview

72-Hour Transit Visa Exemption: Eligible travelers can stay in designated cities for up to 72 hours (3 days) without a Chinese visa, only for transit purposes.
144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption: Extended policy allowing up to 144 hours (6 days) of stay in designated city clusters, covering more regions and longer duration.
Core Requirement: Hold a valid passport, confirmed onward tickets to a third country/region (excluding China’s Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan), and transit through designated ports.
Policy Nature: Long-term effective (no expiration date in 2026), with regular updates to eligible cities and nationalities.

2026 Eligible Nationalities for 72h/144h Transit Visa Exemption

The policy applies to citizens from 55 countries (consistent in 2026), covering major regions worldwide:

Europe (40 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, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.

Americas (6 Countries)

United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Asia (7 Countries)

Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates.

Oceania (2 Countries)

Australia, New Zealand.

2026 Designated Cities for 72h/144h Transit

144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Cities (20 Cities)

Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Chongqing, Ningbo, Xi’an.

72-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Cities (3 Cities)

Changsha, Guilin, Harbin.

Supplementary Notes

Travelers under 144-hour policy can move freely within the administrative region of the designated city (e.g., Shanghai includes Pudong, Puxi, and surrounding districts).
65 designated entry-exit ports are available, including 5 newly added ports in Guangdong Province: Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal, Hengqin Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Zhongshan Port, and West Kowloon Station Port of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

Entry Requirements & Application Process

Valid Documents: Passport (valid for ≥6 months), confirmed onward ticket (with departure date within 72/144 hours), and proof of legal stay in the country of departure (if not a citizen of that country).
On-Site Declaration: Upon arrival at the designated port, fill in the “Transit Visa Exemption Declaration Form” and present relevant documents to the border inspection authority.
Fingerprint Collection: Generally required for adults; exemptions apply to those under 14, over 70, or with diplomatic passports (consistent with China’s visa fingerprint policy).
No Visa Application Needed: The policy is visa-exempt, no need to apply for a transit visa in advance; the whole process is completed on-site upon arrival.

Prohibited Activities & Key Tips

Prohibited Behaviors: Cannot work, study, engage in news reporting, or extend the stay beyond the permitted 72/144 hours; cannot leave the designated city area.
Ticket Requirements: Onward tickets must be to a third country/region (e.g., from London → Shanghai → Tokyo is eligible; London → Shanghai → Hong Kong is not, as Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China).
Policy Check: Confirm the latest designated cities and nationalities 1 day before departure, as individual cities may adjust the policy.
Emergency Handling: If you need to extend your stay due to force majeure (e.g., flight cancellation), contact the local public security bureau’s entry-exit management department immediately.

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