China’s 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy Expanded To 54 Countries, Norway Added

China’s 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy has been expanded to 54 countries. Norwegian citizens can enjoy a 72/144-hour visa-free stay in 23 Chinese cities starting from November 17, 2023, under standard requirements.

China has added Norway to the list of applicable countries that qualify for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit on arrival, according to an official announcement from the China National Immigration Administration (NIA).

Starting from November 17, 2023, Norwegian citizens will be able to enjoy the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy offered in 23 Chinese cities, covering 20 cities and 29 entry and exit ports.

This means China’s 72/144 visa-free transit policy is now available to citizens from 54 countries:

• 25 countries in the Europe Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (newly added), Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
• 15 other countries in Europe: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus.
• Six countries in the Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
• Two countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
• Six countries in Asia: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Foreign nationals holding a valid passport or other valid international travel documents from one of the 54 countries can enjoy a 72/144-hour stay in the 23 Chinese cities without a visa, provided they hold an interline ticket (connecting ticket) with the confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region within the time limit, enter and exit China from eligible ports, and stay within the allowed cities and regions. During the stay, can engage in short-term activities such as tourism and temporary business visits.

Currently, the 72-hour visa-free transit policy is implemented in three Chinese cities, including Changsha, Harbin, and Guilin.

The 144-hour visa-free transit policy is implemented 20 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi ‘an, Xiamen, Wuhan, and Kunming,

The applicable city, entry and exit ports, and scope of permitted travel of the 72-hour visa-free transit policy are as below:

The applicable city, entry and exit ports, and scope of permitted travel of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy are as below:

For more detailed information, please read our China Briefing articles:

• A Complete Guide to China’s Visa-Free Policies
• China Resumes 144-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy for Foreigners – Who Can Apply?

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