144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy to Implement in More China Cities

Introduction to the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

Starting from January 1, 2019, travelers from 53 nationalities with valid travel documents and confirmed onward travel within 144 hours will be eligible for the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy. This policy will be implemented in additional cities, including Xiamen (厦门), Qingdao (青岛), Wuhan (武汉), Chengdu (成都), and Kunming (昆明), as per the announcement from the National Immigration Administration.

Policy Details and Eligibility

Foreign nationals from the 53 approved countries can stay in the same city for a maximum of 144 hours (6 days) without requiring a visa, provided they have onward travel to a third country within that time frame. This policy is an extension and improvement of the existing 72-hour Visa-Free Transit policy.

History and Evolution of the Visa-Free Transit Policy

The State Council initially approved the 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy in 2013, allowing foreign travelers to transit through 18 cities without a visa. Over time, this policy has been expanded, and the duration was increased to 144 hours in certain regions, including major cities and areas like Shanghai (上海), Zhejiang (浙江), Jiangsu (江苏), and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (京津冀地区). This allows passengers to stay for up to six days in total.

Impact and Advantages of the Policy

The 144-hour policy is designed to encourage tourism, business, and trade, making it more convenient for international travelers to explore China without the need to apply for a visa. The extension to 144 hours provides greater flexibility and convenience for those in transit, enabling them to visit more parts of the city or region before continuing their journey.

Conclusion

The 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit is an important step in China’s ongoing efforts to improve transit convenience and encourage international tourism. By extending the stay from 72 hours to 144 hours, more cities, including Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Chengdu, and Kunming, are now part of this expanded initiative, benefiting travelers from a broader range of countries.