144-hour Visa-Exemption Transit Policy

Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province are to adopt the 144-hour visa-exemption transit policy available to nationals from 53 countries since January 30, 2016.

144-hour Visa-Exemption Transit Policy
Starting from Jan. 30, 2016, the measure of 144-hour Transit Visa Exemption for Foreign Nationals for citizens from 53 countries destined for a third country with booked a through air ticket goes into force at the ports of entry of the airports in Shanghai and Beijing. During the visa exemption period, the passenger is allowed to move around within the administration precincts of Beijing and Shanghai municipality.

The 53 countries are:
Albania, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Convenience Measures：

To facilitate transit application and speed up customs clearance, the Exit-Entry Administration of Shanghai Public Security Bureau and Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection jointly developed an electronic application system for 144-hour visa-free transit, which was officially put into use on Nov. 1, 2018.

Steps:

Overseas: apply online→ get the QR code→ arrive in the port and use the self-service terminal→ scan the QR code or international travel documents→ print the entry card→ enter after inspection

Shanghai: reach the port and use the self-service terminal→ scan the QR code or international travel documents→ print the entry card→ enter after inspection

Address for Online Application

Online Application for 144-Hour Visa-Exemption Transit at Ports of Entry in Shanghai https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/144zy.jsp

Process of Online Application

1.Select a language, register/log in for the first time.

2.Tap on “New Application” to apply for your latest visa-free transit (Tap on the “Operation Manual” to download the User Guide for the Advance Application Platform)

3.Fill in the information and submit the application

4.Application Approved!

5.Tap on the screen of the Self-Service Application Terminal → select a language → select Advance Application → confirm the application information → print → get the Temporary Entry Card for Foreigners

If you haven’t applied online in advance, you can apply on the self-service application terminal on the spot.
Tap on the screen of the Self-Service Application Terminal → select a language → select On-the-Spot Application → confirm the application information → print → get the Temporary Entry Card for Foreigners

Matters Need Attention

1. Completion of the online advance application for 144-hour visa-free transit does not mean that a temporary entry permit for visa-free transit has been obtained. The applicant still needs to submit the application to the border inspection department at the port, and can obtain the permit only after examination and approval.

2. The applicant should determine in advance the connecting ticket to a third country or region within 144 hours, the accommodation address in China and other matters, and fill in the relevant information in the electronic application system as required.

3. The electronic application system currently only accepts 144-hour visa-free transit applications. Applicants for 24-hour visa-free transit still need to fill in the Temporary Entry Card for Foreigners manually after arriving in the port and then submit the application.