The 144-hour visa-free transit policy in China allows air, train and ship passengers from 53 countries to transit and stay for up to six days without a visa. You must be in transit to a third country or region (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are included) with a departure time within 144 hours for the country you are traveling to.

Destination and place for departure can't be the same  (e.g New York – Shanghai – Bangkok)

NOTE: 144-hour Visa-Free is valid for the following passport holders:

24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

15 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco

6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

How the 144 Hours are calculated?

Be advised that the 144 hours begin the next day 0:00 am after you received permission for transit.

i.e. If one arrives at 7:00 am on May 1, the layover time counts from 00:00 of May 2 and the passenger should hold a ticket with the scheduled departure time before 23:59 of May 7. In this case, the allowed stay period is more than 144 hours.

How to go through the “144 visa-free access ” at Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao International Airport

Method 1:

Step 1: Declare information via E-application system before transiting to Shanghai, once required information is collected, a QR code will be generated for the application to keep. This the E-application system link: http://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/144zy.jsp                                  

Step 2: After landing at the airport, go to Foreigner Fingerprint Self-collection Area and record your fingerprint. 

Step 3: See the Visa on Arrival, then follow Arrival Card Sign, scan the QR code or your valid passport. An arrival card for temporary entry will be printed.

Step 4: Please walk through the “China Inspection and Quarantine”, where you can get the “Visa-free Permit Stamp” at 24/144-hour Visa-emption Transit Area.

Step 5: Your tour guide will wait and hold a paper with your name sign at the arrival hall.

Method 2: 

If a traveler doesn't apply online in advance, please apply free-visa upon arrival.

Step 1: After landing at the airport, go to Foreigner Fingerprint Self-collection Area and record your fingerprint.

Step 2: See the Visa on Arrival, then follow Arrival Card Sign, scan the QR code or your valid passport. An arrival card for temporary entry will be printed.

Step 3: Please walk through the “China Inspection and Quarantine”, where you can get the “Visa-free Permit Stamp” at 24/144-hour Visa-emption Transit Area.

Step 4: Your tour guide will wait and hold a paper with your name sign at the arrival hall