The situation
The 144-hour transit visa exemption will be expanded to designated major air, sea and rail ports in the cities of Chengdu, Kunming, Qingdao, Wuhan and Xiamen starting January 1, 2019. Qualified travelers will be able to enter visa-free and stay in China during the allowed period.
A closer look
- Eligibility. To be eligible for the program, the applicant must be a national of the 53 allowable countries and must have a valid travel document and a connecting flight to a third country.
- Registration required. Travelers who qualify under the program must complete a Temporary Residence Registration within 24 hours of entry into China.
- Restriction. There are restrictions on the administrative area where foreign nationals can stay during the 144-hour stay under this program.
Background
The transit visa-free program was initially launched in 2013 and, at the time, allowed for a 72-hour stay. Since then, the program has been expanded to 144 hours, to more nationalities and to more locations in China. The program is currently available in the following locations: Beijing, Hebei Province, Jiangsu Province, Liaoning Province, Shandong Province, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen and Zhejiang Province.
A similar transit visa exemption program is also available in Mexico for select nationalities.
Looking ahead
Interested travelers should contact their Fragomen professional for case-specific advice.
Fragomen will continue to monitor the progress of the policy and provide updates as needed.
Fragomen in China is Fragomen (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in China. This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses evolving corporate relocation strategies and sustained demand for moves to the Gulf.
Blog post
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes post‑midterm business immigration risks in Part 3 of this blog series, outlining four possible election outcomes and the practical steps employers should take to prepare for increased enforcement and scrutiny.
Media mentions
Partner Natasha Catterson explains how the UK ETA scheme is changing business travel by requiring pre-travel digital approval for many visa-exempt visitors.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses the recent H-1B fee ruling and the potential for further appeals.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discussed a federal court decision vacating the $100,000 H-1B fee and noted that further legal proceedings are likely to shape the policy’s future.
Blog post
Manager Adela Schmidt examines common misconceptions in German immigration law, including EU Blue Card mobility, short-term work permissions, residence permit extensions and communication with immigration authorities.
Media mentions
Frankfurt Managing Partner Axel Boysen examines Germany's new Section 45c requirements and highlights key compliance considerations for employers recruiting talent from abroad.
Video
Senior Manager Sergio Flores discusses key immigration and travel considerations for individuals planning to visit Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, including visa waiver status, passport validity, FMM documentation and potential work-related visa requirements.
Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses how top-funded startups may have greater flexibility in managing H-1B costs amid evolving hiring dynamics.
Video
Manager Mihaela Dumitru discusses the Swiss citizenship process, including the authorities involved, key naturalization routes and why early planning is important.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Minu Joseph discusses how academic qualification recognition is shaping hiring and workforce mobility in the United Arab Emirates and what employers should consider when planning international talent transfers.
Fragomen news
Fragomen earned top national and regional rankings in Chambers USA 2026, including its 13th consecutive year in Band 1 nationwide.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses evolving corporate relocation strategies and sustained demand for moves to the Gulf.
Blog post
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes post‑midterm business immigration risks in Part 3 of this blog series, outlining four possible election outcomes and the practical steps employers should take to prepare for increased enforcement and scrutiny.
Media mentions
Partner Natasha Catterson explains how the UK ETA scheme is changing business travel by requiring pre-travel digital approval for many visa-exempt visitors.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses the recent H-1B fee ruling and the potential for further appeals.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discussed a federal court decision vacating the $100,000 H-1B fee and noted that further legal proceedings are likely to shape the policy’s future.
Blog post
Manager Adela Schmidt examines common misconceptions in German immigration law, including EU Blue Card mobility, short-term work permissions, residence permit extensions and communication with immigration authorities.
Media mentions
Frankfurt Managing Partner Axel Boysen examines Germany's new Section 45c requirements and highlights key compliance considerations for employers recruiting talent from abroad.
Video
Senior Manager Sergio Flores discusses key immigration and travel considerations for individuals planning to visit Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, including visa waiver status, passport validity, FMM documentation and potential work-related visa requirements.
Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses how top-funded startups may have greater flexibility in managing H-1B costs amid evolving hiring dynamics.
Video
Manager Mihaela Dumitru discusses the Swiss citizenship process, including the authorities involved, key naturalization routes and why early planning is important.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Minu Joseph discusses how academic qualification recognition is shaping hiring and workforce mobility in the United Arab Emirates and what employers should consider when planning international talent transfers.
Fragomen news
Fragomen earned top national and regional rankings in Chambers USA 2026, including its 13th consecutive year in Band 1 nationwide.
