From Janurary 1st, 2013, both Beijing and Shanghai start to adopt a 72 hours visa-free transit policy, which allows transit passengers stay in Beijing or Shanghai for up to 72 hours without visa on direct transit.
Visiting Beijing visa-free for up to 72 hours!
Travelers from 45 countries can apply for the transit visa.
European Union Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
American Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the United States
Asian / Oceanian Countries: Australia, Brunei, Japan, Qatar, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
Airports for the 72 hours visa-free transit application:
In Beijing – Beijing Capital International Airport
In Shanghai – Shanghai Pudong Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao airport
Please Note:
- 1. It is a single city transit visa, which means applicants cannot leave Beijing / Shanghai to other Chinese cities within the 72 hours. The 72 hours will be counted from the moment you get the transit permit, not the time when you arrived in Beijing Capital International Airport.
- 2. It can be only applied in the airport, so passengers arrive go by train or any other vehicles still need to apply for a Chinese Visa.
- 3. It is NOT for round trip flights. The confirmed flight tickets valid visa to the THIRD county are required on entry to the airport in Beijing / Shanghai.
Will get a stopover in Beijing / Shanghai? Check our detailed city guide to help you plan your visa-free trip in China.
