Seeing iconic Chinese sights like the terracotta warriors will soon become easier as China adds Xian, Ningbo, and Chongqing to its growing list of 144-hour visa-free travel ports. China has been building itself up as a stopover hub, and the visa-free transit permit—obtained upon arrival—lets travelers from the U.S., Canada, and 51 other countries visit cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu for up to six days, without requiring a long visa process.
Obtaining this permit is much simpler than getting China’s 30-day tourism visa, the L visa, or the seven-day transit visa, the G visa. Both the L visa and G visa require advanced application, either in person at the consulate or by mail through a visa services company.
As China moves ports like Xian and Chongqing from a 72-hour to 144-hour visa-free transit policy—and adds entirely new ports like Ningbo to the six-day visa-free list—the option for traveling without the cumbersome L visa application is alluring. Here’s how to know if you qualify for the 144-hour visa-free transit permit.
Who is eligible for visa-free transit in China?
Travelers with a passport from one of 53 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, are eligible for visa-free transit permits on trips of up to six days (in participating ports). These travelers must arrive on an international flight, have a passport that’s valid for at least three months from the date of entry, and bring a printout proving they have onward transit booked for a destination beyond China. The printout should include a confirmed booking number. Like a true stopover, the onward flight must land in a different country than the traveler’s origin, and that country must be outside of China. (Hong Kong and Macau count as “onward” countries under this permit.) You also must fly directly out of China; you can’t have a layover in another Chinese port.
How to choose a participating port
You can obtain the visa-free transit permit in 27 ports across China, including popular airports such as Beijing Capital International Airport and cruise ports like Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal. To avoid any issues, use the government’s visa-free transit tool before booking to confirm you can visit your desired destination visa-free for 144 hours.
Your destination dictates your trip
The visa-free transit permit restricts you to either the city, province, or region of your arrival. You won’t have to prove where you’re staying at the port’s customs counter, but officials at hotels, train stations, and other security checkpoints will look at your permit sticker to make sure you’re within the boundaries. Those entering ports in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region can travel freely among these municipalities and provinces. This is the best option for the Great Wall or Forbidden City. Travelers landing in the Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region can explore the designated region freely as well. The transit tool confirms whether your desired destination is included, and where you can travel on the permit.
Starting December 1, 2019, new arrival ports offering the 144-hour visa-free permit include the Xianyang International Airport (for travel in and around Xian), the Ningbo Lishe Airport (a new port in the Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region), and Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (for travel in the city of Chongqing). On December 1, the government will also ease up restrictions for visa-free travel in the Sichuan province. Those entering through the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport can stay in 10 other Sichuan cities, including Deyang, Yibin, and Leshan.
What to say when your airline asks for a visa
The crew for your originating flight will look for a visa at the check-in counter or gate; this is where things can get a bit hairy. “If the airline is not familiar with the visa-free option, they may not let you board,” says Josh Summers, founder of Travel China Cheaper. Summers, originally from Texas, has navigated just about every Chinese visa application while living, studying, and working in China since 2006. For confused airlines—an issue Summers’ readers face frequently—his answer is simple: Bring printouts detailing China’s visa-free transit permit regulations and show your confirmation of onward travel to prove you’re eligible.
Where to obtain the permit when you arrive
Upon landing in China, each participating entry port has a visa-free customs counter within the main customs area. Here, travelers present their valid passport, an arrival/departure card (available in customs or via flight attendants pre-landing), and a printed copy of the onward ticket with a confirmed booking number. Extra items like passport photos are not required, says Summers. You’ll receive a permit sticker once approved. While you have to exit China within 144 hours, Summer says there are currently no restrictions regulating how often you can make use of the visa-free transit option in the future.
How to stay in China for longer than six days
It’s hard to pack much into 144 short hours. That’s why the L visa, China’s main tourist visa, is the go-to for most travelers. The L visa gives travelers 30 days to explore most of China; some exclusions include Hong Kong and Macau, which require additional visa applications and procedures. For the L visa, travelers can either apply in person at their state’s designated consulate or hire a visa services company to vet and mail in the application. The L visa costs $140 for U.S. citizens, while the budget-friendly visa-free permit is free. The seven-day G visa is another option, but since it costs the same as the L visa and requires a similar amount of paperwork, most opt for the L visa or visa-free permit.
