Tips & Answers · Community post
Which countries are eligible for China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy?
I'm planning a multi-city trip through China and keep seeing references to a 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Some pages say 54 countries, while others mention a newer rule, so I'm not sure which information is current.
Which countries are eligible now? Is it still called the 144-hour policy, and what do I need to show at immigration for a transit itinerary?
I would really appreciate a current list or first-hand advice before I book flights.
Comments (1)
The 144-hour name is now outdated. China replaced the old 72/144-hour transit arrangements with a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy in December 2024. Indonesia joined in June 2025, so the current list is 55 countries.
Eligible countries
Europe (40): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
North America: Canada and the United States.South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico.Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.Asia: Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
You normally need a valid passport plus a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (not a return flight to where you came from). The permitted ports and stay areas are specific, so double-check the official NIA notice close to departure. For a practical multi-city explanation, see this 240-hour transit guide.