144-hour Visa-free Transit in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu
China has resumed 144-hour visa-free transit policy since March 15, 2023. Passengers can take advantage of it to travel in designated cities or regions while transferring in China.As early as 2016, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang introduced the 144-hour visa-free transit initiatively, which targets citizens from 54 countries and regions and allows them to transit in the three places for a stay length not more than 144 hours, ie., six days.
Who can enjoy the 144-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang? - 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
Things to Know before Designing Your Visa-free Travel Plan
No. 1: Transit Route: Country A → B: Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang → Country C
The travel from A to B and from B to C should be non-stop, without a stopover anywhere in Mainland China. Visitors applying for the 144-hour visa-free transit need to hold a ticket to a third country or region. In this context, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are considered as third regions, which is a great help for planning a transiting route. For example, if a visitor coming from the UK wants to use the visa-free transit but actually have no plan to another country after visiting Shanghai, he or she can leave for Hong Kong, and then go back home. No. 2: The actual allowed stay length is calculated from 00:00 after the date of your entry, therefore you can maximize your stay by taking an early flight on the date of entry and a late flight on the date of exit. No. 3: Some passengers may try to cancel the ticket to the third country or region after arrival and book a ticket back to the departure country instead, while this is not allowed within the visa-free policy. Don't risk doing this for you may face serious results.
Areas Allowed to Stay
Passengers eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit can travel within Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, all of which are in the Yangtze River Delta of China and boast mild climate and rich tourism resources. Top travel destinations include Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Nanjing.
How to Apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu
Prepare the required documents, including a passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry, a valid visa to the third country or region if required, and a ticket to the third country or region. Visitors had better also prepare hotel bookings in case of immigration check. Then follow the steps in the chart.
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Good News: Passengers wishing to use 144-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai can log into the online platform (https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/144zy.jsp) to make the application in advance. The system will pop up notices if you do not qualify for the visa-free transit policy, reducing the risks of being denied on the spot. After arrival, you can use the self-help machine to print the Arrival Card.What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?
According to the rules, all ports in Shanghai, Nanjing Lukou Airport, Ningbo Lishe Airport and Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport are the eligible ports for the 144-hour visa-free transit scheme.
| Eligible Ports | Contact Information | |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Pudong Airport | 0086-21-96990 |
| Hongqiao Airport | 0086-21-96990 | |
| Shanghai Railway Station | 0086-21-12306 | |
| Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal | 0086-21-66593501 | |
| Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal | 0086-21-51105100 | |
| Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou Airport | 0086-25-968890 |
| Port of Lianyungang | 0086-400-0518-999 | |
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport | 0086-571-96299 |
| Ningbo Lishe Airport | 0086-574-81899000 | |
| Wenzhou International Cruise Port | -- | |
| Zhoushan International Cruise Port | 0086-0580-2181681 |
Note: Currently, train passengers can only get in / out through Shanghai Railway Station, which operates trains to and from Kowloon, Hong Kong every other day.
What Can I Do During the 144 Hours in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang?
Taste the flavor of old and modern Shanghai
Shanghai, as an open port city, is where the east and west meet. Spending one or two days in the city, you can visit Shikumen, a unique residence style, to find the traces of old Shanghai in the narrow alleys. In Lujiazui, dense high rises present the thriving and energetic side of Shanghai. Choose one from Shanghai Tower, the World Financial Center, and the Oriental Pearl Tower to overlook the city and you will never regret. If travelling with your kids, set aside one more day for Shanghai Disneyland Park to enrich your trip.
Take a side trip to nearby cities by bullet train
During the 144-hour visa-free period, no matter you are transiting in Nanjing, Hangzhou, or Shanghai, you can include nearby cities in your itinerary by high speed train. Usually, it takes less than two hours to travel between. Different from Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are more classical and characterized by the water towns. A side trip to water towns like Wuzhen, Xitang near Hangzhou and Tongli, Zhouzhuang near Suzhou can highlight your trip.
Enjoy night activities
Night activities in Shanghai are colorful. You can take a cruise on the Huangpu River to enjoy the night scene along the banks or wander around the Nanjing Road to experience the local life. When travelling in Suzhou, the unique story-telling ballad and Kun Opera performed in classical gardens at night are a feast for your ears. Read More:
Layover in Shanghai: All about Stopover Ideas
How to Spend 3 to 12-Hour Layover in Shanghai
What to Do on an Overnight Layover in Shanghai: 12 to 24 Hours
Long Layover in Shanghai: How to plan 1 to 6 days in Shanghai
Shanghai 15-Day Visa-free Policy for Cruise Tour Groups
Further Reading:
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing
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0ReplySo, in any case, when you land the first thing you should do is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit. This permit is free of any charge and you will here present your flight itinerary. After a short check and decision making, you will be granted a permit and you will proceed toward immigration in order to spend your time in the city or in the hotel if your layover happens to be during the night hours. In any case I wish you a pleasant journey and the best of luck.
Reply00ReplyReply00ReplyYou should just have in mind to create an eligible itinerary where the immediate points before and after Shanghai transit zone have to be in two different countries or eligible territories (eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau). In other words, something like this:
London - Shanghai - South Korea - London
London - Shanghai - Hong Kong - London
Also, you are not allowed to have two mainland Chinese stops in a row.
Now, when you know, you can start planning your visit.
ReplyMy itinerary is Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, spending two days in Shanghai and then flying to Budapest with the stopover in Ningbo of few hours. Please advise if I am eligible for 144 hours visa free.
Many thanks
00ReplyThe first thing you will do upon your landing in Shanghai is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit where you will apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flights. It is highly advisable to have your first night accommodation booked in advance because the relevant form will ask for an address of your stay in Shanghai. When your permit is granted, you will proceed to the immigration and enjoy your two days in Shanghai at your own. Have a nice journey.
I encourage you to use correct terminology because this is not a visa, but 144 hour visa free transit.
One more detail. Do not allow that somebody confuse you because of your two stops within mainland China (Shanghai and Ningbo). This is usually not allowed, but in your case, both Shanghai and Ningbo are in the same transit area, so you are allowed to do that under 144 hour visa free transit.
Reply00Reply