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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.

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 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.

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

	Ports	Contact Information
Beijing	Capital International Airport	0086-10-56095400
Beijing	West Railway Station	0086-10-56092165
Tianjin	Tianjin Binhai International Airport	0086-22-24905908
Tianjin	Tianjin International Cruise Home Port	0086-22-25605128
Hebei	Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport	0086-311-88027961
Hebei	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.

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.

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 modified on Jan. 21, 2020 -

Questions & Answers on 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei

Asked by Jeremy from NEW ZEALAND | Jan. 27, 2020 01:28

4 day stop over in beijing

Hi,
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

Answers (1)

Answered by Saul | Jan. 27, 2020 01:32

More information needed. What is your stop immediately before Beijing, and your first port of call after Tianjin? And what passports will you be travelling under?

Asked by B from USA | Jan. 25, 2020 20:08

staying with family in Beijing

staying for five days in beijing with family, i have confirmed onward ticket to bangkok, do i need a letter of invitation from my cousin in beijing to present to chinese immigration ?

your reply is highly appreciated and thanks in advance.
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Asked by Shivam from TANZANIA | Jan. 23, 2020 11:43

Does a Tanzanian passport holder need a visa to transit through Beijing?

Hi,
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.

Asked by Harun Cakir from DEUTSCHLAND | Jan. 23, 2020 07:17

Düsseldorf --> Beijing --> Tokio --> Beijing Düsseldorf

Hi,
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

Answers (1)

Answered by Saul | Jan. 24, 2020 11:00

24 transit without visa for the first entry. 144 hours transit without visa for the second. You don't get a visa at any point.

Asked by nck from GERMANY | Jan. 23, 2020 06:53

do i qualify düsseldorf-bejing-tokyo-beijing ( 5days) Düsseldorf

i am flying from germany with a 3 hour transit to japan first but on the way back i want to stay days in beijing before travelling back to germany.
do I qualify?
The route is Germany- chinging airplanes in beijing- tokyo- back to beijig with a stayover of 5 days- then back to germany. tickets are booked and can be prooved.

Answers (1)

Answered by Saul | Jan. 24, 2020 10:58

Itinerary is fine if your passport is from one of the 53 qualifying countries, with at least 3 months validity.