144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and 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.
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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 take a 6 Days Private Olympic Tour to Beijing & Zhangjiakou offered by TravelChinaGuide, 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 53 Qualified Countries
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
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.
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What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?
Ports | Contact Information | |
---|---|---|
Beijing | Capital International Airport | 0086-10-56095400 |
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 |

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.
See Beijing 144 Hour Layover Tours

3 Days Great Wall Tour from $264 to Badaling, Mutianyu, Juyongguan

Beijing Mini Group Day Tour from $79 to Forbidden City & Great Wall: 1 - 6 people, No Shopping

5 Days Beijing Tour with Hutongs from $629
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.
Watching Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Site
If you are a sport enthusiast, enjoying this 144-hour visa-free transit will provide you with a great convenience to watch the 2022 Beijing-Zhangjiakou Olympic Winter Games during the 6-day transit time. Besides, Ski Resorts in Zhangjiakou are ideal places for skiing and entertaining yourself close to Beijing. 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

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing





We, a family of 6 will be in beijing for 4 days before heading to tianjin to board a cruise ship are we covered under the 144 hr visa free period, is it much of a process at the chinese customs?
Thank you






Thanks for replying. We will be traveling to beijing from New Zealand via Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian airlines and then our next port of call will be Sasebo Japan




your reply is highly appreciated and thanks in advance.
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I am planning to travel to Mumbai, India from Vancouver, Canada. transiting through Beijing with a 4 hour transit time in between the connection. As a Tanzanian passport holder who has a Canadian student visa, do I require to obtain a transit visa before hand or is it on arrival?
Thank you.




for the first trip we have only a stoppover (~5hours) and don,t want to leave the airport. We don´t need a Visa then, is this correct? Or basically a 72 hrs transit
On the way back from japan, we wan´t to stay for 5 days in Beijing only and then continue to Dusseldorf.
Therefore I would only need the 144 hrs visa, is that correct.
Thanks in advance
Harun


