On October 23, the National Immigration Administration held a press conference, announcing that more convenience will be provided to foreigners who come to China for travel and sightseeing, business negotiations, visits to relatives or friends for a short period. From December 1, 2019, eligible foreigners are entitled to the transit visa exemption at the airports in Chongqing and Xi’an for 144 hours.
From December 1, eligible foreigners are entitled to the transit visa exemption at the airports in Chongqing and Xi’an for 144 hours.
After the application scope of the policy is expanded, a total of 30 ports in 23 cities (or autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government) across the country will implement the policy of 144 hours in transit and 72 hours without a visa for citizens of 53 countries. Among them, the 144-hour visa-free policy for foreigners in transit will be implemented at 27 ports in 20 cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Chongqing, Xi’an and Ningbo; this policy will also be implemented in an interactive manner in some areas and ports (multi-area/port interconnection) in such regions as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area and the Yangtze River Delta; and the 72-hour visa-free policy for foreigners in transit will be implemented at three ports in three cities of Changsha, Guilin and Harbin.
The head of Chongqing Border Inspection Station said that the 144-hour visa-free policy for foreigners in transit would make it easier for the people engaged in international economy and trade, and provide more competitive conditions for foreign business people who come to Chongqing for investment inspection and negotiation of projects. Meanwhile, it will further increase the number and proportion of international transit passengers at the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, thus promoting the integration of global route networks, and providing strong support for Chongqing in the construction of an international aviation hub.
According to the regulations of the Ministry of Public Security, the person who applies for the 144-hour visa-free policy shall meet the following conditions: First, they are the citizens of the countries within the prescribed scope (currently 53 countries are included), and hold a valid international travel document which can prove their nationality and identity; second, they hold a connected passenger ticket or a related certificate to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat within 144 hours; third, they choose to enter or exit the airport in Chongqing. After reviewing the applicant’s conditions in accordance with the above requirements and confirming that there is no mistake therein, the border inspector will issue a temporary entry permit for 144 hours in Chongqing according to the regulations. The applicant is approved to enter Chongqing after the entry permit has been sealed. In case of any questions, please call us at 67152175, 67153177.
List of countries whose citizens can apply for the 144-hour visa-free entry
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar