China’s 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy Expanded To 54 Countries, Norway Added

China’s 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy has been expanded to 54 countries. Norwegian citizens can enjoy a 72/144-hour visa-free stay in 23 Chinese cities starting from November 17, 2023, under standard requirements.

UPDATE (December 17, 2024): The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China has announced a major expansion and optimization of its visa-free transit policy, effective December 17, 2024. Under the upgraded policy, eligible foreign travelers transiting through China can now stay for up to 240 hours (10 days), a significant extension from the previous 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policy. In addition, 21 new ports have been added, increasing the total number of visa-free entry/exit points to 60 across 24 provinces.

UPDATE (July 31, 2024): According to the General Administration of Customs Announcement [2024] No. 96, the railway ports for the four cross-border conventional trains (Intercity Through Trains) between mainland China and Hong Kong at Beijing West Station, Shanghai Station, Guangzhou, and Dongguan have been closed since July 31, 2024. The closure of these railway ports does not affect the operation of high-speed passenger trains between the mainland and Hong Kong. The content of this article has been amended accordingly. 

UPDATE (July 15, 2024): The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has expanded China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports as of July 15, 2024. Zhengzhou aviation port in Henan now offers this policy, with the stay limited to the administrative region of Henan Province. The stay range of Yunnan Province’s policy has been expanded from Kunming to eight other cities (prefecture-level) including Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu’er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, and Wenshan. Additionally, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and Mohan Railway Port have been added as ports applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

China has added Norway to the list of applicable countries that qualify for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit on arrival, according to an official announcement from the China National Immigration Administration (NIA).

Starting from November 17, 2023, Norwegian citizens will be able to enjoy the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy offered in 23 Chinese cities, covering 20 cities and 29 entry and exit ports.

This means China’s 72/144 visa-free transit policy is now available to citizens from 54 countries:

• 25 countries in the Europe Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (newly added), Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
• 15 other countries in Europe: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus.
• Six countries in the Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
• Two countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
• Six countries in Asia: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Foreign nationals holding a valid passport or other valid international travel documents from one of the 54 countries can enjoy a 72/144-hour stay in the 23 Chinese cities without a visa, provided they hold an interline ticket (connecting ticket) with the confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region within the time limit, enter and exit China from eligible ports, and stay within the allowed cities and regions. During the stay, can engage in short-term activities such as tourism and temporary business visits.

Currently, the 72-hour visa-free transit policy is implemented in four Chinese cities, including Changsha, Harbin, Guilin, and Beihai.

The 144-hour transit visa exemption is implemented in over 20 cities: Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang (Hebei Province), Qinhuangdao (Hebei Province), Shanghai, Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province), Ningbo (Zhejiang Province), Wenzhou (Zhejiang Province), Zhoushan (Zhejiang Province), Nanjing (Jiangsu Province), Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province), Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), Shenzhen (Guangdong Province ), Jieyang (Guangdong Province), Shenyang (Liaoning Province), Dalian (Liaoning Province), Qingdao (Shandong Province), Zhengzhou (Henan Province), Chongqing, Kunming (Yunnan Province), Lijiang (Yunnan Province), Xishuangbanna (Yunnan Province), Chengdu (Sichuan Province), Xi’an (Shaanxi Province), Xiamen (Fujian Province), and Wuhan (Hubei Province).

The applicable city, entry and exit ports, and scope of permitted travel of the 72-hour visa-free transit policy are as below:

The applicable city, entry and exit ports, and scope of permitted travel of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy are as below:

(This article was originally published on November 17, 2023, and was last updated on July 31, 2024.)

For more detailed information, please read our China Briefing articles:

• A Complete Guide to China’s Visa-Free Policies
• China Resumes 144-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy for Foreigners – Who Can Apply?

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