72/144-hour visa-free transit to China

We would like to introduce to you the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy in China, which greatly facilitates the entry and exit of foreign travelers coming to Guangzhou for short-term business negotiations and exhibitions. Check out the three requirements you should meet and get ready for the Canton Fair! 

1. Application Requirements

Any foreign traveler applying for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit needs to meet the following three requirements:

1.1 Citizen of the following 47 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, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Brunei.

1.2 He or she must hold a travel document (valid for no less than three months) that can prove his/her nationality and identity, and meet the conditions for entering a third country/region;

1.3 He/she must hold a ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat for departure within 72 or 144 hours and fill out the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.

Foreign travelers who meet the above requirements can apply to the  Chinese border in cities that have implemented the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy.

Kind Reminder

The National Immigration Administration will not issue temporary entry permits to a foreign traveler if:

- His/her passport or any other international travel document is expected to expire in less than three months, or any of his/her travel documents has a visa refusal stamp by a visa-issuing agency in China;

- He/she has a record of illegal entry or exit, illegal residence, or illegal employment within the last five years.

Foreign travelers under these circumstances are not entitled to the 72/144-hour visa-free transit.

2. Application Process

Notice: The above-mentioned process takes Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport as an example and all procedures need to be handled on site at the airport. The process is for your reference only. For more information, please consult the provincial immigration authorities.