Travelers flying to Asia or beyond often wonder: If I have a layover in China, do I need a visa? The answer depends on several factors, including how long you stay, your travel route, and the cities you’re transiting through.
This guide explains China’s 24-hour, 72-hour, and 144-hour visa-free transit policies, when to apply for a visa, and how the China Visa Department can help you avoid costly mistakes during your layover.
When You Don’t Need a Visa: Transit Without Visa (TWOV)
China offers transit visa exemptions under certain conditions. These allow you to stay in specific cities for a limited time without applying for a tourist visa in advance.
24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- Available in most Chinese cities with international airports
- Applies if you’re transiting through China for less than 24 hours
- Must remain in the city of arrival
- You must show proof of an onward ticket to a third country
Example: If you’re flying from the U.S. to Thailand with a 12-hour layover in Shanghai, you’re eligible.
72-Hour Visa-Free Transit (Limited Cities)
- Available only in select cities such as Changsha, Guilin, and Harbin
- You must be traveling to a third country (not returning to your departure country)
- Can’t leave the transit city
- Must enter and exit through the same airport
This policy has been primarily replaced by the broader 144-hour rule in many major cities.
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- Applies in 15+ major cities, including:
- Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and more
- Allows you to stay up to six days (144 hours) in the region
- You must:
- Enter from one country
- Exit to a different third country
- Stick to permitted areas (e.g., if entering via Beijing, you must remain in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region)
Example: Flying from Paris → Beijing → Tokyo qualifies. But Paris → Beijing → Paris does not.
When You Do Need a China Visa
Even with visa-free transit options, there are important cases where a visa is still required:
1. Round-Trip Flights
If you’re flying from LAX to Shanghai and back to LAX, that doesn’t qualify for visa-free transit. Both countries must be different.
2. Layover Longer Than Allowed
Staying more than 24, 72, or 144 hours—even by an hour—means you’ll need a visa in advance.
3. Changing Cities or Leaving Permitted Areas
Even if you qualify for 144-hour transit, you can’t travel outside the region assigned to your entry city.
4. Multiple Layovers in China
If your trip includes two or more Chinese cities, you are no longer eligible for TWOV and must apply for a visa beforehand.
How to Prepare for a Layover in China
Even if you’re not staying long, it’s smart to prepare:
- Check entry city policy (not all cities allow 144-hour transit)
- Print flight confirmations showing arrival and departure from different countries
- Have hotel info ready (even if you’re resting during a long layover)
- Confirm you don’t have multiple stops in China
Why Work with the China Visa Department
If there’s any uncertainty, applying for a visa may be the safest choice. The China Visa Department can help you figure it out quickly.
We Help You Understand Your Options
Not sure if your layover qualifies for visa-free transit? Our team helps you review your route and plan.
We Submit Applications for You
If a visa is required, we handle the entire process—form review, document checks, and submission to the correct consulate based on your home state.
We Serve Travelers Nationwide
Whether you’re in a big city or a small town, we work virtually and accept mailed-in applications from anywhere in the U.S.
We Offer Expedited Help for Short-Notice Trips
Last-minute change to your itinerary? We offer rush visa services, often in just a few business days.
Final Thoughts
China’s visa-free transit options make exploring cities like Beijing or Shanghai easier than ever during a layover—but only if your route and timing meet the rules. Applying for a visa in advance can give you peace of mind when in doubt.
Let the China Visa Department help you figure out the best route, apply for the right visa if needed, and make your travel stress-free from start to finish.