144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China: Who Qualifies to Enter
Check whether your nationality, route, and onward ticket qualify you for one 144-hour, visa-free transit stay of up to six days in China.
What it costs
| Figure | Period | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 144 hours | maximum stay under the visa-free transit policy | National Immigration Administration, visa-free transit policy (过境免签政策) | |
| 6 days | the same window expressed in days | National Immigration Administration, visa-free transit policy (过境免签政策) | |
| third country or region | the onward destination the traveller must already hold a ticket for | National Immigration Administration, visa-free transit policy |
In order
- Check nationality eligibility — Use the National Immigration Administration’s current list to confirm that your nationality is eligible before you book.
- Check the entry port and its region — Confirm that your intended port is currently eligible and note the specific region the policy lets you stay in.
- Plan an A -> China -> C itinerary — Make sure China is a transit point and your onward destination is a third country or region.
- Hold an onward ticket — Obtain and keep a ticket from China to that third country or region before you begin the transit.
- Check the stay length — Make sure your time inside the permitted region does not exceed 144 hours, or six days.
- Keep to the permitted region — Do not arrange travel outside the region covered by the entry port.
- Avoid work, study, or extension plans — Do not use this policy for employment, study, or a stay you expect to extend.
- Reconfirm before travel — Check the National Immigration Administration lists again because eligible nationalities and ports can change.
This guide explains who can use China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy as of 22 October 2026. The policy is for passing through to a third country or region, not for a general tourist trip. Before booking, confirm the current eligible nationalities and ports with the National Immigration Administration, because both lists change.
The transit rule
Your itinerary must be A -> China -> C. You must already hold a ticket to a third country or region, and you cannot return to the country or region you came from. This is a transit policy, not a tourist visa. It does not allow you to use China as an ordinary holiday destination and then return to your starting point.
Length and area of stay
The maximum stay is 144 hours, which is six days. The stay is limited to the region covered by the entry port. It does not authorise travel throughout China as a whole.
What is not permitted
The stay cannot be extended. It is not permission to work or study. You may not use it as nationwide entry permission. If your trip requires a longer stay, wider movement, employment, or study, you must make other arrangements.
Check current eligibility
Both eligible nationalities and eligible ports can change. Do not rely on an old list or a remembered port list. Check the current information with the National Immigration Administration before you book and again before you travel.
Confirm before you act
Fees, eligible ports and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-10-22; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-10-22, next review 2027-04-20. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.