China Transit Visa Guide: 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit and G Visa 2026

China’s transit visa policies allow travelers to explore select Chinese cities without a full visa. Whether you are eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit or need a G Visa for longer transits, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Use our free Visa Checker tool above to check requirements for your nationality.

Transit Visa Options Overview
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
72-Hour Visa-Free Transit
24-Hour Direct Transit
G Visa (Transit Visa)
Eligible Countries
Eligible Cities and Airports
Requirements for Visa-Free Transit
How to Apply for a G Visa
Step-by-Step Transit Process
Tips and Common Mistakes
FAQ

Transit Visa Options Overview

China offers several transit options depending on how long you plan to stay and which cities you are transiting through:

Option	Duration	Visa Required	Eligible Cities
24-Hour Direct Transit	Up to 24 hours	No visa (special facility)	All international airports
72-Hour Visa-Free Transit	Up to 72 hours (3 days)	No visa	Select cities
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit	Up to 144 hours (6 days)	No visa	Select cities/regions
G Visa (Transit Visa)	Varies (typically 7–10 days)	Yes, visa required	All ports of entry

For a detailed guide on the 144-hour policy specifically, see our 144-Hour Visa-Free Guide.

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

The 144-hour (6-day) visa-free transit is China’s most generous transit policy, allowing eligible travelers to explore select cities without applying for a visa.

How It Works

You arrive in China from one country and depart to a different third country within 144 hours.
You must stay within the designated transit zone (usually a city or province).
You do not need to apply for a visa in advance — the visa-free entry is granted at the airport.

Key Rules

Third-country rule: Your onward destination must be a different country from where you arrived. For example: US → Shanghai → Japan qualifies; US → Shanghai → US does not.
Same zone rule: You must arrive and depart from the same visa-free transit zone. For example, if you arrive in Shanghai, you must depart from Shanghai (or another airport within the same zone).
Time limit: The 144-hour period starts from 00:00 the day after your arrival. You must depart before the 144 hours expire.

Example Scenarios

Qualifying trip: London → Beijing (144-hour layover) → Seoul

You can leave the airport and explore Beijing for up to 6 days.

Non-qualifying trip: London → Beijing (layover) → London

This does not qualify because your onward destination is the same as your origin.

See our detailed 144-Hour Visa-Free Guide for the complete list of eligible cities and detailed requirements.

72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

A shorter 72-hour (3-day) visa-free transit policy applies to select cities that are not part of the 144-hour scheme.

Eligible Cities for 72-Hour Transit

City	Airport
Changsha	Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX)
Guilin	Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL)
Harbin	Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) — also in 144-hour scheme
Qingdao	Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO) — also in 144-hour scheme
Others	Check current list as it is regularly updated

Rules

Same rules as the 144-hour transit:

Must arrive from one country and depart to a different third country
Must stay within the designated city
72-hour period starts from 00:00 the day after arrival

24-Hour Direct Transit

All international airports in China offer 24-hour direct transit for citizens of all countries. This allows you to transit through China for up to 24 hours without a visa.

Key Features

Duration: Up to 24 hours
Eligibility: All nationalities
No visa required: You receive a temporary entry permit at the airport
Must leave China within 24 hours: The period starts from your scheduled arrival time

How to Use 24-Hour Transit

Inform the airline staff at check-in that you will be using 24-hour direct transit.
Upon arrival in China, proceed to the transit area or the immigration counter for a temporary entry permit.
You can leave the airport during your layover.
You must depart China within 24 hours of arrival.

Note: If you want to leave the airport during a 24-hour transit, you must request a temporary entry permit at the immigration counter. Not all requests are granted — it is at the discretion of the immigration officer.

G Visa (Transit Visa)

If you need to transit through China for longer than 144 hours, or if you do not qualify for visa-free transit, you need a G Visa (Transit Visa).

When You Need a G Visa

Your transit exceeds 144 hours
Your nationality is not eligible for visa-free transit
You need to transit through a city that is not part of the visa-free transit scheme
You plan to transit through multiple Chinese cities

G Visa Details

Feature	Details
Validity	Typically 3 months
Number of entries	Single or double
Duration of stay per entry	Typically 7–10 days
Fee	Same as L Visa (tourist visa)

Required Documents for G Visa

Valid passport (6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages)
Completed visa application form (Form V.2013)
Passport photo (48mm × 33mm, white background)
Onward flight ticket to a third country
Visa for the destination country (if required)
Hotel reservation (if staying overnight)

Eligible Countries

Citizens of 54 countries are eligible for the 144-hour and 72-hour visa-free transit policies:

European Countries (40)

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City.

American Countries (6)

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States.

Asia-Pacific Countries (6)

Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore.

Middle East/Africa (2)

Qatar, United Arab Emirates.

Use our free Visa Checker tool above to check if your nationality is eligible.

Eligible Cities and Airports

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Cities

City/Region	Airport(s)	Province/Region
Beijing	Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX)	Beijing
Shanghai	Pudong (PVG), Hongqiao (SHA)	Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang
Guangzhou	Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)	Guangdong
Shenzhen	Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX)	Guangdong
Chengdu	Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Chengdu Tianfu (TFU)	Sichuan
Chongqing	Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG)	Chongqing
Xi’an	Xi’an Xianyang (XIY)	Shaanxi
Kunming	Kunming Changshui (KMG)	Yunnan
Dalian	Dalian Zhoushuizi (DLC)	Liaoning
Shenyang	Shenyang Taoxian (SHE)	Liaoning
Harbin	Harbin Taiping (HRB)	Heilongjiang
Qingdao	Qingdao Liuting (TAO), Qingdao Jiaodong (TAO)	Shandong
Wuhan	Wuhan Tianhe (WUH)	Hubei
Xiamen	Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN)	Fujian
Tianjin	Tianjin Binhai (TSN)	Tianjin
Shijiazhuang	Shijiazhuang Zhengding (SJW)	Hebei
Nanjing	Nanjing Lukou (NKG)	Jiangsu
Hangzhou	Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH)	Zhejiang
Ningbo	Ningbo Lishe (NGB)	Zhejiang
Wuxi	Wuxi Sunan Shuofang (WUX)	Jiangsu
Changsha	Changsha Huanghua (CSX)	Hunan
Guilin	Guilin Liangjiang (KWL)	Guangxi
Others	Check current list — updated regularly	Various

Note: The list of eligible cities is regularly expanded. Check the latest list before planning your trip.

Requirements for Visa-Free Transit

To use the 144-hour or 72-hour visa-free transit, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Checklist

Eligible nationality: You hold a passport from one of the 54 eligible countries.
Confirmed onward ticket: A confirmed flight ticket to a third country (different from your origin country), departing within the time limit.
Valid passport: At least 3 months validity beyond your planned departure from China.
Visa for destination country: If your onward destination requires a visa, you must have it already.
Same transit zone: You must arrive and depart from airports within the same designated transit zone.
No travel outside the zone: You must stay within the designated city/region during your transit.

At the Airport

Check in: Inform the airline at check-in that you will use visa-free transit. Show your onward ticket.
Arrival in China: Proceed to the dedicated visa-free transit counter at immigration.
Fill out the arrival card: Complete the temporary entry permit application.
Receive your stamp: The immigration officer will stamp your passport with the visa-free transit permit, noting the expiration date and time.
Enjoy China: You are free to leave the airport and explore the designated zone.

How to Apply for a G Visa

If you need a G Visa (Transit Visa), follow these steps:

Step 1: Gather Documents

Collect the required documents listed in the G Visa section above.

Step 2: Complete the Application

Fill out Form V.2013 online at the CVASC website. Select “G” as the visa type.

Step 3: Submit

Submit your application at the CVASC or Chinese embassy/consulate, in person or by mail. Pay the visa fee.

Step 4: Collect

Pick up your passport after processing (typically 4 business days for standard service).

Tip: Use [VisaHQ affiliate link] or [iVisa affiliate link] to handle the G Visa application process for you.

Step-by-Step Transit Process

Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of the visa-free transit experience:

Before You Fly

Verify eligibility: Check that your nationality is eligible and your route qualifies (different origin and destination countries).
Book onward ticket: Book your confirmed onward flight before departing.
Print documents: Print your onward flight itinerary, hotel reservations (if staying overnight), and passport bio page.

At Your Origin Airport

Check in: Present your passport and onward ticket to the airline. The airline will verify your eligibility for visa-free transit.

Upon Arrival in China

Go to immigration: Follow signs to the visa-free transit counter (do not go to the regular immigration line).
Present documents: Show your passport, onward ticket, and hotel reservation.
Receive your permit: The officer will stamp your passport with the visa-free transit permit.

During Your Stay

Carry your passport: Always carry your passport with the transit permit stamp.
Stay within the zone: Do not travel outside the designated transit area.
Keep your onward ticket: You may be asked to show it when checking in for your onward flight.

Departure

Check in for onward flight: Present your passport and onward ticket.
Exit China: Proceed through immigration with your passport.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Do

Verify your route qualifies: Your origin and destination must be different countries.
Book your onward flight before departure: You must have a confirmed ticket to present at check-in and immigration.
Carry printed copies: Have printed copies of all documents in case of Wi-Fi or connectivity issues.
Arrive early: The visa-free transit counter can have queues — arrive with plenty of time.
Stay within the zone: Check which areas are included in your transit zone.
Buy travel insurance: Consider [World Nomads affiliate link] or [SafetyWing affiliate link].

Don’t

Don’t arrive without an onward ticket: You will be denied boarding.
Don’t travel outside the designated zone: This violates the visa-free transit terms and can result in fines and deportation.
Don’t overstay: Depart before the 144/72 hours expire.
Don’t confuse transit zones: Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang form one zone — you can travel between them. But you cannot go from Shanghai to Beijing under the same visa-free transit.
Don’t assume eligibility: Always check current policies before booking, as rules can change.

FAQ

Can I use the 144-hour visa-free transit if I arrive from and depart to the same country?

No. Your origin and destination must be different countries. For example, US → Shanghai → US does not qualify, but US → Shanghai → Japan does.

Can I travel between cities during the 144-hour transit?

Only within the same transit zone. For example, in the Shanghai zone, you can travel between Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. But you cannot travel from Shanghai to Beijing.

Do I need to book a tour for visa-free transit?

No. Unlike the Hainan visa-free policy, the 144-hour transit does not require a tour group. You can explore independently.

Can I use visa-free transit for a cruise?

Visa-free transit applies to air travel. Cruise passengers have separate visa policies (cruise group visa exemption). Check with your cruise line for details.

What if my flight is delayed and I exceed 144 hours?

Contact the nearest Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit-Entry Administration immediately. They can issue an extension or temporary permit. Do not try to leave the country with an expired transit permit — you will face fines and possible detention.

Can I apply for a G Visa at the airport?

No. G Visas must be obtained in advance at a Chinese embassy, consulate, or CVASC before you travel. There is no visa-on-arrival facility.

Is the 144-hour transit guaranteed?

The immigration officer has the final discretion. In rare cases, entry may be denied. To minimize risk, ensure all your documents are in order.

Can I use visa-free transit multiple times on the same trip?

Yes, if your route includes multiple qualifying transits. For example: US → Shanghai (144h) → Japan → Guangzhou (144h) → Thailand. Each transit is independent.

Do children need to meet the same requirements?

Yes. All passengers, including children and infants, must have a confirmed onward ticket and meet the eligibility requirements.

Is travel insurance required for visa-free transit?

Not required, but recommended. Consider [World Nomads affiliate link] or [SafetyWing affiliate link] for coverage.

Related Guides

Last updated: July 2026

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