China 72 Hour Visa Free Policy

The new 72-hour visa free stay policy which will be effected since Jan 1st 2013 allow people who need to transit in China a more convenient way to have a short exploration of specified cities. This policy amis to stimulate the tourism of China and also would like to build a more strong bridge between China and the rest of the world.

Present 72-hour Visa-free Policy Cities

City	Implement Time	Airport
Beijing Visa Free	2013 Jan	Beijing Capital Airport
Shanghai Visa Free	2013 Jan	Shanghai Hongqiao airport Shanghai Pudong Airport
Guangzhou Visa Free	2013 Aug	Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
Chengdu Visa Free	2013 Sept	Chengdu Shuangliu Airport
Chongqing Visa Free	2013 Nov	Chongqing Jiangbei Airport
Dalian Visa Free	2014 Jan	Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport
Shenyang Visa Free	2014 Jan	Shenyang Taoxian Airport
Xian Visa Free	2014 June	Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
Guilin Visa Free	2014 June	Guilin Liang Jiang International Airport
Kunming Visa Free	2014 Oct	Kunming Changshui International Airport
Hangzhou Visa Free	2014 Oct	Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
Xiamen Visa Free	2015 April	Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
Wuhan Visa Free	2015 May	Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
Tianjin Visa Free	2015 June	Tianjin Binhai International Airport
Harbin Visa Free	2015 Aug	Harbin Taiping International Airport

 

3. Where can I get the transit stay permits?

You need to register at the police station with your visas within 24 hours of your arrival at the authorized airports, the only entry-exit applicable for the policy. And the 72 hours will be calculated starting from the moment you get the transit stay permit.
 

4. How to apply this stay permit?

When you are citizens in one of the above mentioned countries, you could ask for help from the staff of your international airline which transit in Beijing or Shanghai. The staff will help handle this application by reporting to related airport immigration control departments in Beijing or Shanghai. After checking about your situation, they will inform you whether you apply successful or not timely.
 

5. The cities you can stay during this 72 hours

Only authorized cities are legal for you to walk around during this 72 hours, or you will be regarded as illegal immigration if you beyond the cities.

Another thing should be attention is you only can stay only one of the authorized cities. That means if your international flight arrival Beijing, you should hold Beijing leaving ticket. If arrival Shanghai, Shanghai leaving ticket only.
 

 

6. Could I hold round air ticket to apply this permit?

No, round air ticket is rejected to apply this permit. Only ticket to the third country can apply this permit.

See following:
(×) Air ticket: from New York (US) - transit in Beijing - to L.A. (US), no 72 visa free permit for you.
(√) Air ticket: from New York (US) - transit in Beijing - to Tokyo (Japan), 72 visa free policy for you.
 

7. Could I take train to Beijing or Shanghai and then leaving by flight?

No, this policy is only effect in authorized airports only.
 

8. Countries can enjoy this policy in authorized cities in China

Continent	Coutires
EU (24 countries)	Austria, Belgium, the Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Europe (7 countries)	Russia, Britain, Ireland, drought-stricken Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
America (6 countries)	the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania (2 countries)	Australia, New Zealand
Asia (6 countries)	South Korea, Japan*, Singapore*, Brunei*, the united Arab emirates, Qatar

*Note: In above countries, Japan, Singapore and Brunei enjoy China 15 Days visa free policy in China exit and entry related regulation. So these three countries no need to apply 72 visa free procedure.


Aiming to meet this new policy, Top China Travel prepare some flexible 2 or 3 days city tours in above cities, more visa-free tours can be see in China Visa Free Tours.