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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

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 $179 to Badaling, Mutianyu, Juyongguan

Beijing Mini Group Day Tour from $89 to Forbidden City & Great Wall: 1 - 6 people, No Shopping

5 Days Beijing Tour with Hutongs from $509

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

- Last modified on May. 19, 2019 -

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

Asked by Steven Dinsmore from UK | May. 21, 2019 05:12

Beijing 144 transit visa for China from Scotland

Thank you so much for your previous advice regarding Visa requirement for transiting through BJ and Tianjin (Zupan 17th May 2019). Could I ask one more question in relation to this. Do I need to apply for 144 hour transit Visa prior to travel or is this obtained upon arrival in Beijing. Once again many thanks for your time.

Steven Dinsmore

Answers (1)

Answered by CDKING from US | May. 21, 2019 09:37

Its obtained at the airport on arrival. Look for the desk that mentions 144 hour visa free transit and fill out the blue form for the entry permit. Also have the yellow form that they pass out on the plane (also available at airport) to show to passport control after getting the entry sticker

Asked by Myfanwy from NZ | May. 19, 2019 13:00

Can I get a transit visit?

I want to visit my friend in Shanghai. I can choose flights but which one is ok for visa? NZ-PVG-HGK-NZ? or NZ-PVG-Sydney-NZ? Or are they both OK?
I would rather travel via Hong Kong, cheaper ticket!
thank you!

Answers (1)

Answered by ZUPAN | May. 19, 2019 13:28

They are both OK and you can choose a cheaper one, of course :).

Asked by Steven Dinsmore from SCOTLAND | May. 17, 2019 03:17

Glasgow-Beijing (via Dubai) Arriving 3/Oct/2019 Departing Tianjin to Japan on 7/Oct/2019

Hello.
Could you please advise me if the 144 Visa free transit rules apply to the itinerary?

Many thanks

Steven Dinsmore

Answers (2)

Answered by ZUPAN | May. 17, 2019 13:13

Yes, this is very good example of air to cruise itinerary that is eligible for 144 hours visa free transit. I understand that you have mentioned that you will depart from Tianjin to Japan, but you should just check your cruise route to confirm that the first port call after you depart from Tianjin is one of Japanese ports. I'm telling you this because it is not allowed, within the rules for 144 hours visa free transit, to have any mainland Chinese port call immediately after you have departed from Tianjin.

Answered by ZUPAN | May. 18, 2019 01:34

Your itinerary is eligible for 144 hours visa free transit. The only detail, you should check is to determine what port call is the first one after you leave Tianjin. This is very important detail because in case that your first port call immediately after Tianjin is any Japanese port (or South Korean), then you are fine, but in case that it is a mainland Chinese port, then you would not be eligible.

Asked by m.raju from UK | May. 16, 2019 07:24

London - Hong Kong - Beijing - London

Hi We are travelling,
flying from London to Hong Kong ( staying in HK for 5 days) then
from Hong Kong flying to BJ ( staying in BJ for 5 days) then
from BJ flying back to London
Please let me know if we can use the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in BJ

Answers (1)

Answered by ZUPAN | May. 16, 2019 14:55

In case that your citizenship is among eligible ones and in case that your flights are exactly as you have written, then we have Hong Kong - Beijing - London itinerary and that is definitely eligible. Please, just check your flights to confirm that you maybe do not have some additional landing(s) and bring with you flight tickets and accommodation booking in hard copy.

Asked by Olga from POLAND | May. 16, 2019 00:29

Warsaw -> Beijing -> Okinawa

Hello, I am from Poland and traveling from Warsaw to BJ and then to Okinawa (Japan). Can I get 144h transit visa? We arrive 28.07.2019 morning to PEK and leave 01.08.2019 morning from PEK to Okinawa.

Warsaw - Beijing
4 days
Beijing - Okinawa
4 days
Okinawa - Tokio
4 days
Return: Tokio - Beijing (4 hours transit) - Warsaw

I do not know if we should get tourist visa before coming to China or can we get the 144h transit visa at the airport? Are we eligible for 144h transit visa?

Answers (1)

Answered by ZUPAN | May. 16, 2019 02:17

Your whole itinerary is perfectly eligible for visa free transit through China and you really do not have to obtain any kind of visas. For your first leg, you are qualified for 144 hours visa free transit and you should have with you your flight tickets and accommodation booking in hard copy. For your return journey you will be covered by 24 hours visa free transit and you will just stay at the airport due to your relatively short layover. On more detai, please, just use correct terminology, you will not apply for any kind of visa, including "transit visa" because you will fly visa free (without visa).