144-hour visa-free travel in China

Recently, friends who often go to airports often feel that there are more foreigners around them.

On social media, you can often see vlogs of foreigners’ “extreme” travel in China.

These phenomena did not appear out of thin air. Since this year, China has begun to vigorously promote visa-free policies and 144-hour transit visa-free.

For some countries that meet the long-term cooperation and development goals, we have actively opened visa-free, even unilaterally, and for the other 54 countries, we have adopted 144-hour visa-free.

Since the implementation of the 144-hour visa-free policy, millions of people have come to China to boost China’s economy and promote Chinese culture.

They see the Great Wall, the night view, eat roast duck after seeing the Forbidden City, eat snacks after seeing the Terracotta Warriors, eat hot pot after seeing the pandas, and take the subway and high-speed rail by the way, feeling our normal life.

When feeling the convenience of 144 visa-free, you should also pay attention to some issues.

You must not exceed the scope or time limit of the stay area.

You must register for accommodation in accordance with the law.
Attached are the cities where 144-hour visa exemption is available

1. Beijing 2. Tianjin 3. Shijiazhuang 4. Qinhuangdao 5. Shanghai 6. Nanjing 7. Hangzhou 8. Ningbo 9. Guangzhou 10. Shenzhen 11. Jieyang 12. Shenyang 13. Dalian 14. Qingdao 15. Chongqing
16. Chengdu 17. Xi’an 18. Xiamen 19. Wuhan 20. Kunming

The following article is from the Chinese government website

From November 17, 2023, my country will implement a 72/144-hour transit visa exemption policy for Norwegian citizens. So far, the scope of countries applicable to China’s 72/144-hour transit visa exemption policy has increased to 54 countries.

Currently, three cities in China, including Changsha, Harbin and Guilin, have implemented a 72-hour transit visa exemption policy.

20 cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Xiamen, Wuhan, and Kunming implement the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy.

Citizens of 54 countries can transit through the above cities to a third country (region) with valid international travel documents and a connecting ticket with a confirmed date and seat within a limited time.

Visa-free stay in the specified area for no more than 72 hours or 144 hours. During the stay, short-term activities such as tourism and temporary business visits can be carried out.

According to relevant officials of the National Immigration Administration, the implementation of the transit visa exemption policy is to serve and safeguard the country’s high-level opening up.

It is a practical measure to facilitate personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries and promote foreign exchanges and cooperation. Since China implemented the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption policy in January 2013.

More than 500,000 foreigners have enjoyed the convenience of this policy. In the next step, the National Immigration Administration will continue to focus on the new situation and new requirements of my country’s high-level opening up.

Actively benchmark against high-level international economic and trade rules, continuously deepen the reform and innovation of immigration entry and exit policies, and actively respond to the new expectations and demands of Chinese and foreign entry and exit personnel and international economic and trade exchanges.

Promote economic globalization and help my country’s open development, innovative development and high-quality development.