The China Transit Visa: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding how to and whether you can get a China Transit Visa can be shrouded in mystery, confusion, and conflicting information. You may be wondering how to make sure you meet all the requirements and be puzzled by the lack of official information. So rest assured, everything you need to know about getting a Chinese transit visa is covered in this post.

China’s transit visa is back! After close to 3 years with entry heavily restricted, tourists can now enjoy a long layover in the country with up to 144 hours visa-free transit. However, things change quick – please check the latest entry requirements before travelling.

What is the China Transit Visa? An Overview

The China Transit Visa, also known as visa-free transit or transit waiver, allows non-Chinese, foreign nationals to transit through certain cities and provinces for up to 144 hours. To get one, you must arrive from and depart to two different countries from China. For example, London to Shanghai to Sydney would qualify, but London to Beijing to Shanghai would not.

The visa was introduced to boost tourism in China as travelling to Asia increases in popularity, and more people opt for longer layovers. The key difference between ordinary tourist visas and the transit visa is that you do not need to apply in advance. However, the length of stay and travel around the country are both more limited with the transit visa.

Importantly, obtaining the visa-free transit exemption is only required if you want to leave the airport during a transfer or if you need to change entry/exit ports. For instance, if you need to move between two airports in the same city to continue your journey.

Forbidden City in Beijing, a pagoda style building with an image of Chairman Mao on the front, busy with tourists looking

The 24-hour, 72-hour and 144-hour transit visas

There are 3 types of Transit Visas available, and each has different requirements.

The 24-hour visa-free transit is available to people from most countries and is offered by most international airports in China. However, there are some city-specific restrictions for people from certain countries. Therefore, you should check with your local embassy or government about your eligibility for a transit visa for China.

For instance, passport holders from many middle eastern countries transiting in Xiamen are not eligible for a transit visa.

In addition, the 72-hour and 144-hour visas allow citizens of 53 countries entry into certain Chinese cities. In the cities of Harbin, Guilan and Changsha you can transit for up to 72 hours. And a transit of up to 144-hours is permitted in Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Guangdong province, Kunming, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi’an, and Xiamen.

The Shanghai skyline from in front of the Pearl Oriental Tower during a layover with a China Transit Visa, the architecture varies greatly behind the buildings that rise into the crisp blue sky. Visit this during a layover with a China Transit Visa

Am I eligible for a China Transit Visa?

Three key factors determine whether you can get visa-free transit. Firstly, you have to arrive into certain cities. Secondly, the purpose of your visit must be transiting/passing through China between two other countries. And thirdly, you must be a certain nationality/passport holder (for 72-/144-hour visas only).

Port of arrival

As listed above, whilst most airports offer the 24-hour transit visa, only certain cities offer the 72- or 144-hour transit visa. Importantly, exceptions for the 24-hour visa include Fuzhou, Huangshan, Mudanjiang, Yanji, and Urumqi. As such, for the longer transit visas, you must be arriving into one of these cities listed above.

Transit visas from the following cities allow travel around the whole province:

  • Changsha (for Hunan province)
  • Dalian & Shenyang (for Liaoning province)
  • Guangzhou (for Guangdong province)
  • Qingdao (for Shangdong province)

If you are transiting in Beijing or Tianjin you can move freely between the two and into Hebei province.

Similarly, movement is allowed between Shanghai and the Jiangsu & Zhejiang provinces, including Hangzhou, Nanjing and Ningbo.

Because of these movement zones, it allows you to enter into one city within a zone and leave from another. However, you must still leave within 144 hours. But it is possible to fly into Shanghai and out of Hangzhou, or into Beijing and out of Tianjin (both pairs in the same zone). However, you cannot fly into Beijing and out of Xi’an, for example.

If arriving into Xi’an you can travel to Xianyang. If you are arriving into Chengdu you can travel to the following cities during your transit period: Deyang, Leshan, Luzhou, Meishan, Neijiang, Suining, Ya’an, Yibin, Zigong, and Ziyang.

Finally, travel is limited to within the city when transiting in Chongqing, Kunming, Wuhan and Xiamen

Travel itinerary

Firstly, and very importantly, you must be transiting in China. You must arrive from a different country than you intend to depart to. However, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau are not considered to be parts of China for the purpose of being eligible for a transit visa. Therefore, these can be used as starting or ending destinations for your trip.

Secondly, you cannot have two stops in China, apart from the exceptions for zones listed above. For example, London to Beijing to Shanghai to Bali would not qualify for a transit visa in either city – but only if you want/need to leave the airport. If you only stay in the departure lounge then no transit visa is necessary.

Technically, travelling from Toronto to Beijing to Detroit would be an eligible journey. But, you must remember that to be granted a transit visa exemption, the purpose of your visit must be passing through China. Therefore, this journey may make immigration officials suspicious, and lead to entry being denied.

Graphic showing travel itinerary eligibility for a China Transit Visa
Example journeys that are and aren’t eligible for a transit visa

Thirdly, your connecting flight must be scheduled to depart within 72 or 144 hours from midnight after your arrival. As a result, if you arrive at 6 am, you get an extra 18 hours included in your transit visa.

Finally, there is no stated minimum layover time on official documents. However, when we were queuing in Shanghai Pu Dong Airport, the immigration officer was shouting that your layover had to be over 8 hours to get a transit visa. So, I would not have high hopes of entering China if your layover is less than this, but you can always try your luck.

Nationality

The 24-hour China Transit Visa is available to most nationalities. But only passport holders from 53 countries can get the 72- or 144-hour transit visa.

All Schengen countries except for Liechtenstein and Switzerland are eligible. Plus the following European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and the UK.

Six countries from the Americas make the list for the 72- or 144-hour-free transit policy: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the USA. As do two pacific and six Asian countries: Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, UAE.

Additionally, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months when entering China.

But remember…

As a way of mid-article disclaimer, there is never a guarantee of entry to China. Entry can be denied based on recent travel history, planned events in China and politics.

The British Embassy in Beijing has seen a rise in reports of denied transit visas based on travel history. If you are in any doubt, please contact your embassy before travelling.

However, it is key to remember, that the above reports are denials of transit visas, not transit. As such, the majority of people made their connections, they just didn’t get to leave the airport.

Air China plane loading at the gate at Beijing International Airport

How to get a visa-free transit entry in China?

You don’t need to do anything before you arrive in China. A visa application in advance is not required.

When you are nearing landing in China, the cabin crew will distribute small yellow arrivals cards. However, these are for people arriving on non-transit visas. You do not need to fill this form in to apply for a visa exemption on arrival.

Here are the simple steps to getting a transit visa:

  • When you land and reach the terminal building, all passengers aged 14+ will need to provide a fingerprint scan. This also gives you a printout receipt that you need to keep hold off.
  • Follow signs for ‘Visa on arrival’ or ‘Temporary Entry Permit’.
  • Next, fill out the blue, A5-size, arrivals card for temporary entry. If you are staying less than one day then you don’t need to put an address.
  • Then, join the queue for the desks and present the immigration officer with your completed blue arrival/visa application form, passport, fingerprint receipt, boarding passes and/or hotel confirmation.
  • Collect a new sticker in your passport and take back your documents – including the bottom half of your arrivals card. You MUST keep this piece of paper as you need it to leave the country.

What documents will I need?

To get the visa-free transit entry you need a few documents. Firstly, your passport, and your fully filled out arrivals form and your fingerprint scan receipt. To note, if you have recently been in China and already completed the fingerprint scan you won’t need to do it again.

Additionally, you need to show proof of your hotel or accommodation booking. I just used a screenshot of the booking receipt email from hotels.com. Also, you will need to show proof of departure within 24, 72 or 144 hours. A boarding pass if you have it, or a screenshot of your travel itinerary should be fine.

Importantly, don’t expect a WiFi connection. Screenshot all your documents to access offline or take printouts. Plus, I found that the immigration officials all spoke good English. So I don’t think you need to worry about this.

What if I have separate bookings for my first and second legs?

Then that’s fine! Passengers travelling on any airline, as well as entry by boat – or a combination of the two- can get a transit visa.

You just need to show that you have a booked ticket out of China in the next 24, 72 or 144 hours.

Other Frequently Asked Questions…

Is there a limit on many times I can enter China with a transit waiver?

No. However, to get a visa-free entry, the purpose of your visit must be transiting. If it’s thought that you are travelling just to visit China, then your entry may be denied.

I got a 24-hour visa on 5 June, and then a China 144-hour visa on 14 June. This was for both ways on my return trip from London to Bali, so fell under transit both times.

How much does a China Transit Visa cost?

Nothing!

This is one of the key plus points compared with ordinary tourist visas, which can cost over £100.

Open passport page showing a 24-hour China Transit Visa and 144-hour China Transit Visa issued at Shanghai Pu Dong Airport and exit stamps
The 24-hour and 144-hour transit visas issued at Shanghai Pu Dong Airport

Do I need to register at a police station?

It depends. If you are staying at a hotel, then you are registered when you check-in. However, if you are staying in an AirBnB or with friends/family, then you will need to register at a police station.

You need to provide a telephone number and address on the arrivals card. And the police may come and visit if you have not registered within a day or so.

And what about leaving China? Is there anything I need to know?

After checking-in your luggage and heading through security, there will be customs desks for Chinese and non-Chinese nationals. Join the foreigners’ queue.

You’ll need your passport, boarding pass, and the bottom half of the blue arrivals card. Immigration will keep the arrivals card and you’ll get another ink-still-wet exit stamp in your passport!

An uphill stretch of the Great Wall of China, visitable from Beijing on a daytrip. Either side is lush green trees and grass

How much will I see in 24/72/144 hours?

A lot! Chinese cities typically have great metro systems making it easy to get around. Also, since the Olympics in 2008, transport systems are much more English language friendly. Just press the British (or American!) flag on the touch screens, and select where you want to go!

RELATED POST: Making the most of your 144 hours? This Shanghai 5-day itinerary is essential reading for you to make sure you see the best of Shanghai!


If you ever get the opportunity, then you should definitely take advantage of the visa exemptions for transit to explore the cities and provinces. The process is easy and there’s no limit to how many times you can get one. So, if you travel to or from Asia/Oceania regularly then layovers in China are no-brainers!

Creative Travel Guide has compiled a list of the best places to visit in China specifically for first-time visitors. These places are great for exploring during a layover, so check it out!

Any questions? If there’s anything I’ve missed, or if you’re not sure about anything, leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to help you…


Wanting More China Travel Inspiration?

Shanghai in One Day (Itinerary for Daytime Layovers in Shanghai)

Shanghai 3-Day Itinerary (Perfect for a Shanghai Stopover)

Complete Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary (The Best of Shanghai)

7 Reasons You Should Book a Long Layover in Shanghai


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5 thoughts on “The China Transit Visa: Everything You Need to Know”

  1. Hi there! Quick question – do I have to claim my luggage upon arriving in Shanghai for the transit? I only have 18 hours in the city so I would like to be able to roam freely!

    1. Hi – I didn’t, but I was travelling on the same ticket with the same airline (my trip was London to Bali via Shanghai with China Eastern). If you’re travelling with different airlines or on different tickets for each leg, you will probably need to. That said, there is luggage storage facilities in both terminals of Shanghai Pu Dong Airport should you need to collect your bags.

  2. Thank you for such an informative post, very glad I came here.
    Do they look at the whole itinerary? Or just the outbound journey to qualify? For example: London > Shanghai (exit for 72 hours) > Tokyo. This qualifies for the visa free transit. But then my Skyscanner booking would show a return journey a week later: Tokyo > Shanghai (no exit) > London, which looks like a round trip back to London. Thanks for helping

    1. Hi Danny, I can only speak to my experience and I had a return flight on one booking so they would have been able to see all the flights. I did however, get 2 transit visas in 2 weeks. I flew London – Shanghai (18 hours) – Bali. Then just over a week later flew Bali – Shanghai (3.5 days) – London. Only each leg has to qualify as passing through China between 2 others. Thanks, Zoe

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