144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong

144 hours visa-free transit has been carried out in Guangdong, which provides great convenience for passengers from 54 countries or regions transiting through Guangdong to a third country or region. Tourists eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit in Guangdong will be able to travel within the whole province for 6 days without applying for a visa, and the stay duration will be counted from 00:00 the day after the entry date. 
 

Which Countries Are Covered by the Policy?

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?

Country A → B: Guangdong → Country C


Here A refers to the country from which passengers enter Guangdong, and C refers to a third country or region. Before passengers' entry to Guangdong and after passengers' leave from Guangdong, they cannot have a stop anywhere in Mainland China. For example, if a passenger departs from UK to Guangzhou, with a stop in Shanghai, he cannot use the 144-hour visa-free transit.
 

What Are the Requirements & Procedures for Application?

Required documents:
 Passport/Travel Document valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry
 Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region
 Visa for a third country/region (if needed)
 A fully completed Arrival/Departure Card (including name, nationality, passport no., visa no. & issuance place, flight no., purpose of visit, date of birth, gender)
 
144-hour visa-free transit
How to apply for 144-hour visa-free transit
 

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

In Guangdong, only 3 airports can issue the 144 hour free transit, and they are Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, as well as Jieyang Chaoshan Airport, so the passengers who want to apply for this policy need to enter Guangdong from the 3 ports. But they are allowed to leave from any port in Guangdong.

The basic information about the 3 ports is as follows:
Airport Telephone Number Visa Office Opening Hours
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport 0086-20-36066622 24 hours (full year)
0086-755-82327700 10:00 to the last flight of the day (full year)
0086-663-3828770 24 hours (full year)
 
Guangdong Province Map
Areas Allowed to Stay

Areas Allowed to Stay

Passengers are allowed to travel or conduct business in the whole Guangdong Province if using the 144-hour visa-free transit, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Dongguan. It's not allowed to get out of the province.
 

What Can You Do during the 144 Hours?

 

Sightseeing the Landmarks of Cities

Travelers can go to some popular scenic spots to have a better understanding on Guangdong, such as the well-known Window of the World in Shenzhen, the fascinating Yuexiu Park and the charming Pearl River in Guangzhou. Taking a Pearl River cruise has become a must-do thing for travelers in Guangzhou. Sightseeing the cities in Guangdong will not disappoint tourists because there are many beautiful attractions with natural and cultural sceneries within the province.

Conducting Business Activities

Passengers qualify for this policy can also conduct business activities or take part in trade fairs like the Canton Fair. Within the 6 days, businessmen can visit factories and firms in depth as well.
 

Enjoying Famous Cantonese Cuisine

Cantonese cuisine attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world for its refined taste. Tasting the exquisite Cantonese cuisine and delicious Guangzhou snacks can be a highlight to the 6-day trip in Guangdong.
 

Taking Cruise Tours

Tourists who qualify for the 144-hour convenient visa to Guangdong province China can take a flight to enter and then embark on a cruise or tour to other countries.

 Further Reading on China 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy:
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'anChongqing
- Last updated on Nov. 21, 2023 by Kate Liu -
Questions & Answers on 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Asked by Romy from USA | Dec. 06, 2023 14:07Reply
Hello Flying direct to Hong Kong from USA -going to Guangzhou - then back to HK then back to USA
Is the 144-HR Visa-Free traevl possible - if I take a train from HK to GZ and back to HK?
Answers (2)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 07, 2023 00:32
00Reply


No, it is not. Under 144 hour visa free transit you cannot take a train from Hong Kong to Guangdong province since the only eligible way of entry is by air. Also, it is important to know that the immediate points before and after your Chinese destination have to be in two different countries or eligible territories (Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau).

In other words, you could do the following:

- Fly from Hong Kong to Guangzhou by air on a nonstop flight.
- Take a ferry from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau, but have in mind that you will have buy your ferry ticket even before you depart from Hong Kong and also to print it out and to have that printout at hand. Also, you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
- When you have reached Macau, you can return to Hong Kong.

The alternative is to obtain a Chinese visa in advance.
Answered by romy | Dec. 07, 2023 09:25
00Reply


Many, Many Thanks!!! I so appreciate your help!
Asked by Geoff from 🇬🇧 | Dec. 01, 2023 06:44Reply
UK - Guangzhou - HK
I am planning to fly from UK to Guangzhou (2 hr stopover in Doha), stay 4 nights, then travel into HK, stay 2 nights then onto Phuket.

Is the Guangzhou stay all ok under the 144 day visa ? Can I leave for HK by train or does it have to be ferry ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 03, 2023 23:44
00Reply


Your itinerary is definitely eligible for 144 hour visa free transit that is valid for entire Guangdong province. However, you will really have to take a ferry from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Hong Kong. Taking a train is not an option any more! In other words, you will have to buy your ferry ticket in advance through CKS - Chu Kong Passenger Transportation Company, to print out the ticket and have it at hand all the time as a proof that you will really be in transit. Also, you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
Asked by Irfan from BELGIUM | Nov. 29, 2023 01:58Reply
Belgian visiting Dongguan
Hi - I have a Belgian passport and live in Hong Kong.
I want to visit Dongguan next week. 1 day trip, go by train in the morning and come back in the evening.
Does that allow me to go to China under this visa free policy?

Thanks,
Irfan
Answers (3)
Answered by Borut | Nov. 29, 2023 23:43
00Reply


Unfortunately, this is not possible in the way as you have described it. In reality, the only way how can you reach Dongguan using visa free transit scheme is to fly from Hong Kong to Guangzhou on a nonstop flight and after your stay in Dongguan take a ferry from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau. Like this, you would be in a real transit and you would be able to enjoy 144 hour visa free transit valid for entire Guangdong province. If you decide to use this option you will have to:

- Use a flight from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
- Stay within Guangdong province for at least 1 minute longer than 24 hours based on your scheduled arrivals/departures
- Buy a ferry ticket through TurboJet website before you depart from Hong Kong and print it out and have it at hand.
- You will have to take exactly that ferry for Macau you have bought your ticket for.
- When you reach Macau, you will easily return to Hong Kong.

If you do not take this option, the only alternative is to obtain a Chinese visa in advance.
Answered by I | Nov. 30, 2023 21:16
00Reply


Damn… thanks for the reply. Then i guess, i’ll go for the visa option.
Thanks!
Answered by Borut | Nov. 30, 2023 23:19
00Reply


Yes, obtaining a visa in advance is, realistically speaking, easier option than all the maneuvers I have mentioned. In any case, it is good that you know your options just for a case and also that you can recommend it to someone who needs to reach certain destination within Guangdong province visa free in ad hoc way.
Asked by Yen from AUSTRALIA | Nov. 27, 2023 23:55Reply
Australian visiting Shenzhen with stop over in HK
Hello,
Am I eligible for 144 hour visa with an Australia passport visiting Shenzhen with a stop over at HK and travel to Shenzhen by train?
Vietnam -HK-Shenzhen-HK-vietnam
Thank You.
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Nov. 28, 2023 03:14
00Reply


No, you cannot use 144 hour visa free transit in this case because you have non eligible

Hong Kong - Shenzhen - Hong Kong

segment...

This is a return trip and also the only eligible way for any visa free transit scheme in Guangdong province is to fly into Guangdong province by a nonstop flight from any country or eligible territory, but you have to leave it toward the third country.

In my opinion, if Shenzhen is your only point of visit in mainland China, you are advised to rely on 5 days Shenzhen visa on arrival. The best way to obtain it is to take a direct ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou port in Shenzhen where you will apply for this visa at Shekou visa office. Opening hours of Shekou visa office are: 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30 and the price of visa for Australian citizens is 275 CNY payable by card only.

After your stay in Shenzhen, you can return to Hong Kong by any mean of transport, high speed train included and through any border crossing.
Asked by Rob from UNITED KINGDOM | Nov. 14, 2023 07:33Reply
Hong Kong- Guangzhou-Macau
Hello
I want to travel to jiangmen to meet a friend. If I were to travel to Guangzhou from Hong Kong, can I arrive by land/sea or is airport required? Same question for leaving onward to Macau? Am I able to go to jiangmen as this itinerary as it is still in the guangdonng province? I was also wondering if it would be possible to then go back to guangdong after a few days in Macau to get the transit pass again before flying onward to Japan? Are there any other documents I would need other than proof of transport out of China to ensure I can get the transit pass?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Nov. 14, 2023 23:46
00Reply


Answers to your questions:

- You can enter Guangdong province by taking a flight only. In other words it has to be Hong Kong - Guangzhou nonstop flight
- To reach Macau from Guangdong province it is necessary to use a ferry. Ferry departs from Shekou port in Shenzhen. You have to book your ferry ticket in advance through TurboJet website, print it out and have at hand in both Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Also, you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
- You can travel throughout entire Guangdong province, Jiangmen included.
- Since there is no limit on how many times you can use 144 hour visa free transit, you are perfectly allowed to fly againg from Hong Kong to Guangzhou or some other eligible Chinese city like Beijing, Shanghai or some other, stay there for up to 144 hours and then proceed to Japan. Have in mind that your ticket for Japan has to be confirmed and bought before you depart from Hong Kong.
- There is still Health declaration form that should be filled out a couple of hours before your check-in for your flight to mainland China. Also, it is highly advisable to have an accommodation booking confirmation for at least first night in hard copy.
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