144-hour Visa-free Transit in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu

 China has resumed 144-hour visa-free transit policy since March 15, 2023. Passengers can take advantage of it to travel in designated cities or regions while transferring in China.

As early as 2016, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang introduced the 144-hour visa-free transit initiatively, which targets citizens from 53 countries and regions and allows them to transit in the three places for a stay length not more than 144 hours, ie., six days.
 

Who can enjoy the 144-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang? - List of 53 Qualified Countries

 24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

 15 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco

 6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

 2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

 6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
 

Things to Know before Designing Your Visa-free Travel Plan

 No. 1: Transit Route: Country A → B: Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang → Country C
The travel from A to B and from B to C should be non-stop, without a stopover anywhere in Mainland China. Visitors applying for the 144-hour visa-free transit need to hold a ticket to a third country or region. In this context, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are considered as third regions, which is a great help for planning a transiting route. For example, if a visitor coming from the UK wants to use the visa-free transit but actually have no plan to another country after visiting Shanghai, he or she can leave for Hong Kong, and then go back home.
 

Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu 144-hour visa-free transit area
Areas Allowed to Stay

 No. 2: The actual allowed stay length is calculated from 00:00 after the date of your entry, therefore you can maximize your stay by taking an early flight on the date of entry and a late flight on the date of exit.
 

 No. 3: Some passengers may try to cancel the ticket to the third country or region after arrival and book a ticket back to the departure country instead, while this is not allowed within the visa-free policy. Don't risk doing this for you may face serious results.
 

Areas Allowed to Stay

Passengers eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit can travel within Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, all of which are in the Yangtze River Delta of China and boast mild climate and rich tourism resources. Top travel destinations include Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Nanjing.
 

How to Apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu

Prepare the required documents, including a passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry, a valid visa to the third country or region if required, and a ticket to the third country or region. Visitors had better also prepare hotel bookings in case of immigration check. Then follow the steps in the chart.

how to apply for 144-hour visa-free transit
 Good News: Passengers wishing to use 144-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai can log into the online platform (https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/144zy.jsp) to make the application in advance. The system will pop up notices if you do not qualify for the visa-free transit policy, reducing the risks of being denied on the spot. After arrival, you can use the self-help machine to print the Arrival Card.

 

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

According to the rules, all ports in Shanghai, Nanjing Lukou Airport, Ningbo Lishe Airport and Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport are the eligible ports for the 144-hour visa-free transit scheme.

Eligible Ports Contact Information
Shanghai Pudong Airport 0086-21-96990
Hongqiao Airport 0086-21-96990
Shanghai Railway Station 0086-21-12306
Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal 0086-21-66593501
Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal 0086-21-51105100
Jiangsu Nanjing Lukou Airport 0086-25-968890
Zhejiang Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport 0086-571-96299
Ningbo Lishe Airport 0086-574-81899000

Note: Currently, train passengers can only get in / out through Shanghai Railway Station, which operates trains to and from Kowloon, Hong Kong every other day.

 

What Can I Do During the 144 Hours in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang?

Taste the flavor of old and modern Shanghai

Shanghai, as an open port city, is where the east and west meet. Spending one or two days in the city, you can visit Shikumen, a unique residence style, to find the traces of old Shanghai in the narrow alleys. In Lujiazui, dense high rises present the thriving and energetic side of Shanghai. Choose one from Shanghai Tower, the World Financial Center, and the Oriental Pearl Tower to overlook the city and you will never regret. If travelling with your kids, set aside one more day for Shanghai Disneyland Park to enrich your trip.
 

Take a side trip to nearby cities by bullet train

During the 144-hour visa-free period, no matter you are transiting in Nanjing, Hangzhou, or Shanghai, you can include nearby cities in your itinerary by high speed train. Usually, it takes less than two hours to travel between. Different from Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are more classical and characterized by the water towns. A side trip to water towns like Wuzhen, Xitang near Hangzhou and Tongli, Zhouzhuang near Suzhou can highlight your trip.
 

Enjoy night activities

Night activities in Shanghai are colorful. You can take a cruise on the Huangpu River to enjoy the night scene along the banks or wander around the Nanjing Road to experience the local life. When travelling in Suzhou, the unique story-telling ballad and Kun Opera performed in classical gardens at night are a feast for your ears.

Read More:
Layover in Shanghai: All about Stopover Ideas
How to Spend 3 to 12-Hour Layover in Shanghai
What to Do on an Overnight Layover in Shanghai: 12 to 24 Hours
Long Layover in Shanghai: How to plan 1 to 6 days in Shanghai

 Further Reading:
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'anChongqing

- Last updated on Aug. 03, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on 144-hour Visa-free Transit in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu
Asked by Peter from CZECH REPUBLIC | Aug. 18, 2023 02:52Reply
Transit visa
Do I get transit visa if I have transfer between planes 19hours ? Can I stay in an hotel in Shanghai with that visa ? I am from Czech Rep.
Answers (2)
Answered by Bruce | Aug. 20, 2023 18:50
00Reply


Yes, you are eligible for 24-hour visa free transit. Upon landing in Shanghai, go to the 24/144-hour visa free counter to apply for a temporary stay permit, then you will be allowed to leave the airport.
Answered by Peter | Aug. 20, 2023 22:47
00Reply


Thank you!
Asked by TravellerGu from TAIWAN | Aug. 03, 2023 02:58Reply
taiwan-shanghai-hongkong
is it ok to fly from Taiwan to Shanghai, stay for a while and then go to go hongkong? (German passport)
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Aug. 03, 2023 09:53
00Reply


Of course, it is. This is one good example of eligible 144 hour visa free transit route.

Please, just have in mind that even before your departure from Taiwan to Shanghai, you will have to have a ticket for your Shanghai to Hong Kong segment.
Asked by Mans from SWEDEN | Aug. 02, 2023 04:45Reply
Online 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
HI I have filled in all required data in the online module for 144-hour-visa -free transit (Shanghai international). Should I expect any answer from the online application or should I just show the data when I arrive in SHanghai? Everthing is filled in properly. Right now I can only see a QR code in the bottom and the application fille din of course.

Answers (1)
Answered by William | Aug. 02, 2023 20:20
00Reply


Do you mean filling in the health declaration form? If yes, you may just need to show the QR code upon landing.
Asked by prabath from JAPANERANDABC`YAHOO.COM | Aug. 01, 2023 21:25Reply
144-hour visa-free transit
hi i have srilankan passport . i live in japan. i can144-hour visa-free transit?
Answers (1)
Answered by Wendy | Aug. 01, 2023 22:42
00Reply


I'm sorry but you can't.
Asked by Phillip gregory from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 30, 2023 11:43Reply
How often can I do the visa free trip
For instance could I do

UK - Shanghai - HK
Stay in HK for two days then do
HK - Shanghai - UK

Would that be possible?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joseph | Jul. 30, 2023 20:10
00Reply


That's totally fine for 144 hours both times in Shanghai. You can use visa-free transit as often as you like.
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