No. 7 (2024)

With the approval of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has decided to further expand the implementation of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy. It is hereby announced as follows:

Effective July 15, 2024, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy will be implemented at the airport in Zhengzhou in Henan Province. The permitted stay area for foreign nationals entering China through this airport is the administrative region of Henan Province. Eight additional permitted stay areas (including cities and autonomous prefectures) for foreign nationals entering Yunnan Province under the 144-hour visa-free transit policy are also designated in addition to Kunming, namely Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu'er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe and Wenshan. This time, three exit-entry ports, namely Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Henan Province, and Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and the exit-entry port of Mohan Railway Station in Yunnan Province, are designated to implement the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

Citizens of 54 countries, who hold valid international travel documents and connecting tickets with information on confirmed dates and seats for departure within 144 hours, who intend to transit via Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport to third countries or regions, are exempt from visa applications and may stay within the administrative area of Henan Province for no more than 144 hours. The 54 countries include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Foreign nationals from the aforementioned countries, who intend to transit via Yunnan Province to third countries or regions, may enter and exit without applying for visas from any of the following ports: Kunming Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and Mohan Railway Station, and are allowed to stay within the administrative areas of Kunming, Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu'er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, and Wenshan in Yunnan Province for no more than 144 hours (subject to the relevant provisions if applicable to a mutual visa exemption agreements signed with China or China’s unilateral visa exemption). Within their stay periods, they can travel, engage in business activities, visit their friends and relatives, and engage in other short-term activities. However, for working, studying or engaging in interviews, foreign nationals still need prior approval and complete the necessary visa procedures before entering China.

National Immigration Administration

July 15, 2024