144-hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei

The 144-hour visa-free transit has been implemented in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei since December 28th, 2017. It enables air, train, and ship passengers heading for a third country or region to stay within the three places for up to six days without needing a visa application.
 

Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei 144-hour visa-free transit area
Areas Allowed to Stay

Tourists qualifying for the 144-hour free transit can move freely in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei within the 6 days. For example, if an UK passport holder entering from Beijing Capital International Airport intends to visit Beijing for 6 days, and then catch a leaving flight in Tianjin airport, there is no problem that the 144-hour visa-free transit can cover the trip and no visa will be required for the British.
 

Who can enjoy the 144-hour visa exemption? - List of 54 Qualified Countries

 25 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, 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

What Is An Eligible Route?

A: departure country ⇒ B: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei ⇒  C: the third country or region

Passengers cannot have any stop in Mainland China between A and B, and B and C. For example, if the passenger stops in Guangzhou before entering Beijing, Tianjin, or Hebei, he or she cannot enjoy the 144-hour visa-free transit.
 

How to Apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?

For the application, documents including your passport valid for at least three months, visa (if applicable) and onward ticket to the third country or region should be prepared. Then you can follow the steps in the chart.

144-hour visa-free transit
 

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

Ports Contact Information
Beijing Capital International Airport 0086-10-56095400
Daxing International Airport 0086-10-96158
West Railway Station 0086-10-56092165
Tianjin Tianjin Binhai International Airport 0086-22-24905908
Tianjin International Cruise Home Port 0086-22-25605128
Hebei Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport 0086-311-88027961
Qinhuangdao Beidaihe International Airport 0335-7520000
 
 Note: As only the West Railway Station in Beijing allows the 144h visa-free transit, passengers taking international trains to / from Moscow, Ulaanbaatar, and North Korea cannot enjoy it, while those takings trains to / from Hanoi and Hong Kong are eligible.
 

What Can I Do During the 144 Hours?

Sightseeing in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei

Thanks to the developed intercity high speed trains, it is quite easy for visitors to transfer from Beijing to Tianjin or cities in Hebei. The One-Card system for public buses and subways will run in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, making it even more convenient to travel in the region. Why not take advantage of this visa-free transit and easy transportation to make a trip in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region?

Foreigners transiting under eligible countries’ passports are able to enjoy 144-hour visa-free transit to travel within the qualified transit zone. Beijing is not only the political and economic center of China, but also a well-known tourist resort covering a large number of attractions, such as the Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. Paying a visit to the grand Great Wall will highlight your private trip in Beijing. You could also go to Qinhuangdao City to appreciate the fascinating natural landscape of Beidaihe. In addition, viewing the Chengde Mountain Resort is recommended for it will provide you with a retreat in hot summer.

Cost-efficient Shopping With Tax Refund Policy in Beijing and Tianjin

Trans-city tax refund in Beijing and Tianjin will help you to reduce the budget. Travelers can buy things at designated tax free stores in Beijing and Tianjin and choose to apply for a tax refund in either city. For example, if you buy things in Tianjin and your leaving flight is in Beijing, you can get the refund at the Beijing airport.

 Read More:
An Ultimate Guide for Layover in Beijing
How to Plan an 8-hour Layover in Beijing: Advices for 4 to 12 Hours’ Stay
Perfect Plan for an Overnight Layover in Beijing: 12 to 24 Hours
What to do in Beijing in one day – 6 Special Things to Do
Long Layover in Beijing – How to Spend 1 to 6 Days in Beijing?
How Many Days to Spend in Beijing?
Beijing Itinerary 4 Days: What to Do & How to Plan
Beijing Itinerary 5 Days: What to See & How to Plan
How to plan a Beijing itinerary 6 days?
Beijing Itinerary 7 Days: How to spend one week in Beijing
 

 Further Reading on China 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy:
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing
 
- Last updated on Nov. 21, 2023 by Kate Liu -
Questions & Answers on 144-hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei
Asked by Martyn from ENGLAND | Nov. 17, 2023 04:14Reply
Flight from UK to Beijing Daxing airport day 1, flight to Melbourne day 3 from Beijing Daxing airpor
Hi, I am a UK National. I am scheduled to travel from London to Beijing Daxing Airport on 11 December, and then fly from Beijing Daxing to Melbourne on 13 December. Am I still eligible for the 72 hour visa even if I leave from the same port of entry?
Thx
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Nov. 20, 2023 00:06
00Reply


If you have mentioned your all stops within your itinerary, then you are definitely eligible for 144 hour visa free transit in wider Beijing area and you do not need any kind of visa. Entering and exiting from the same point if fine. Also, this is not 72 hour visa, but 144 hour visa free transit that has replaced 72 hour option years ago. So, just use proper terminology because this is not a visa at all.
Asked by Jessica from USA | Nov. 14, 2023 20:25Reply
USA to Beijing and back to USA
Hi! I currently have a flight from San Francisco, USA to Beijing. My return flight 5 days later is is Beijing to San Francisco and I plan to stay in Beijing all 5 days. Do I qualify for a 144-hr free visa?
Thank you!
Answers (1)
Answered by Hailey | Nov. 14, 2023 21:37
00Reply


No, it is not a transit but a return trip. It is available to change your itinerary to USA - Beijing - Hong Kong - USA to make your itinerary eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit.
Asked by Daniela from BELGIUM | Nov. 01, 2023 22:32Reply
Return ticket Brussels-Beijing-Melbourne
Hi, I am flying from Brussels to Beijing and plan to stay 3 days in Beijing before going to Australia for 2 weeks. Then I fly from Australia back to Beijing for 1 day transit and then back to Brussels. Is this itinerary within the compliance for 144 hour visa free entry?
Answers (2)
Answered by Borut | Nov. 02, 2023 02:40
00Reply


Yes, as far as you do not have any additional stops, your entire itinerary is eligible for 144 hour visa free transit. Just one detail here. You have mentioned that during your return, you will stay in Beijing for 1 day. This is not a problem, but I just wanted to inform you that if your "1 day" is shorter than 24 hours just for a minute, you will travel under 24 hour visa free transit and if your "1 day" is a minute longer than 24 hours, then you will travel under 144 hour visa free transit. In any case, you do not need any kind of visa.
Answered by Daniela | Nov. 02, 2023 22:21
00Reply


Thank you so much! Highly appreciated
Asked by Carolyn from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 24, 2023 03:44Reply
144-hour visa Beijing Capital or Beijing Daxing
Hi, I am a UK National. I am scheduled to travel from Hong Kong to Beijing Capital Airport on 11 December, and then fly Beijing Daxing to London on 13 December. Am I still eligible for the 144-hour visa even if I leave from a different port of entry than the port I enter from?
Answers (1)
Answered by Andrew | Oct. 24, 2023 19:43
00Reply


Yes, you are still eligible with different airports.
Asked by Michael from UK | Oct. 11, 2023 14:05Reply
London - Beijing - Hong Kong
Hello,
We are UK nationals travelling to Hong Kong, with a transfer in Beijing Daxing airport. We are hoping to make use of the 144 hours transit visa free in Beijing. My concern is regarding our onward flight is to Hong Kong. Is this applicable?
In summary:
London - Beijing Daxing
Stay 4 days in Beijing
Beijing Daxing - Hong Kong

Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Dylan | Oct. 11, 2023 18:48
00Reply


Yes, it is eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit if you don't have any other stop in China.
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