144-hour Visa-free Transit in Kunming

Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Yuxi, Puer, Chuziong, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, Wenshan in Yunnan China have implemented the 144-hour visa-free transit program. Passport holders of the 54 qualifying countries can be granted a visa- free stay of up to 144 hours if they transfer via Kunming Changshui Airport on the way to a third country. During the stay, they can leave the airport, making it possible to conduct a layover tour.
 

Who qualifies for the 144-hour visa-free transit? - List of 54 Countries

 American Countries: US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

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

 Other European Countries: UK, Ireland, Russia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco

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

Areas Allowed to Stay

Currently, passengers transiting in Kunming are only allowed to move around in this city if they wish to enjoy the 144-hour visa-free transit. It means those who want to take a tour to Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna, or other cities need to get a normal visa.
 

What Is an Eligible Route?

Departure Country A: → Kunming → The Third Country C

It indicates that:
1) Passengers can only stop in one mainland Chinese city, namely Kunming. Multiple domestic stops are not allowed;
2) Passengers need to enter Kunming from Country A and then leave for Country C. A and C should be different countries, which means they cannot return to the departure Country A immediately after the layover in Kunming.
Note that Country A and C can be foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
 

What Are the Required Documents?

1. Your passport, valid for not less than three months at the time of entry
2. A flight ticket to a third country with confirmed date and seat (standby flight ticket doesn’t work)
3. A visa to the third country if required
4. The Arrival / Departure Card
 

How to Apply for a 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in 6 Steps

144-hour visa-free transit

1. Inform the airline when boarding
2. Fill out an Arrival/ Departure Card
3. Apply for the 144-hour visa-free stay permit upon arrival
4. Claim your luggage
5. Go through the customs
6. Leave the airport
 

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

In Kunming, the 144-hour visa-free transit is available at Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Mohan Railway Port. 

Inquiry No. of Changshui Airport: 0086-871-96566
Inquiry No. of Sanyi Airport: 0888-5173081
 

What Can I Do in Kunming During the 144 Hours?

Tour around the Dianchi Lake

If the length of your stay is short, you can take a tour around Dianchi Lake, which is about 40 km (25 mi) from the airport. Choose one from the Grand View Park or Haigeng Park to take in the beauty of the lake. If your visit is during the period from October to March, you can see a wide range of migrant birds wintering in these parks. Yunnan Nationalities Village also lies near the lake, where you can appreciate the architecture and folk customs of 26 of China's ethnic groups.
 

Marvel at the Stone Forest

The Stone Forest, located in Shilin Yi Nationality Autonomous County of Kunming, is about 2 hours' drive from the airport. Here you can see many karst limestone formations created by nature, resembling caves, animals, and giant columns. Direct tourist buses between Changshui Airport and the scenic area are available, making it easy to arrange a day trip.
 

Take a photography tour to Dongchuan Red Land

Unless your flight schedule is tight, it's a great idea to take a two-day visit to the Dongchuan Red Land. Here swathes of bright red soil contrast with the colors of seasonal crops and plants and is often compared to an artist's palette overturned by God. Shutterbugs should not miss the chance to take a stopover tour in Dongchuan Red Land, especially when your visit is during late April to early May, late August to early September, or mid-November to December when the colors are most vibrant.

Read More: Top 10 Things to Do in Kunming

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- Last updated on Jul. 15, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on 144-hour Visa-free Transit in Kunming
Asked by shaheem from SRI LANKA | Jul. 14, 2024 06:54Reply
i need a answer soon
i have issued to a ticket which is less than 24 hours in transit but 2 transit
colombo kuming yantai ichon and back colombo via shaghai

do pax can get the flight to ichon from yantai. and do kuming will send pax to yantai
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Jul. 15, 2024 02:58
00Reply


Everything that matter is that your entire transit time in China is shorter than 24 hours counting from your scheduled landing in Kunming until your scheduled departure from Yantai. If this entire process is done within 24 hours you will be eligible for 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa.

So, upon your landing in Kunming you will approach transit counter before immigration. There you will apply for a temporary entry permit to be allowed to take your flight to Yantai. This application is free of any charge and here you will just present your flight itinerary. It is advisable to have your flight itinerary printed.

When you are granted a temporary entry permit you will cross the immigration and catch your flight to Yantai. In Yantai you will cross the immigration and catch your flight to Seoul.
Asked by selina from MALAYSIA | Mar. 10, 2024 10:09Reply
different cities entry and exit.
Can I fly in to Kunming and exit from Nanning?
Answers (2)
Answered by Olivia | Mar. 11, 2024 02:56
00Reply


No, if you use 144-hour visa-free transit policy, you can only stay within the transit area. Kunming and Nanning are not within the same transit area.
Answered by Borut | Mar. 17, 2024 01:23
00Reply


If you are a citizen of Malaysia you can do that because you are allowed to travel to China visa free for stays of up to 15 days. In other words, you do not have to bother yourself with this visa free transit stuff.
Asked by Jo from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 26, 2024 17:36Reply
144 hour visa free
Hi there, my wife and myself plan to travel to Kunming from Singapore in May this year then return to Kuala Lumpur. We are Australians and please advise if we are eligible for the 144 hour visa free transit. Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by James | Feb. 27, 2024 19:59
00Reply


Yes, you are as long as you don't have any other stop on the way.
Asked by Tapasvi issar from INDIA | Feb. 08, 2024 22:10Reply
Do I required transit visa for china
I’m Indian passenger flying from Phuket to Japan via kmg layover time is 6 hours in my ticket they mention I have to check in my baggage at kmg so should I apply for transit visa or not
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Feb. 11, 2024 18:01
00Reply


If your layover in Kunming is shorter than 24 hours, as you have mentioned that it is, you will be definitely covered by 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. In order to perform a new check-in in Kunming you will do the following:

- You will print out your flight tickets and have them with you at hand.
- Before landing there will be arrival/departure cards dispensed on board the plane. You will fill out one and for the purpose of your stay in China, you will write down - transit.
-Upon landing in Kunming you will immediately approach transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flight tickets. This is free of any charge and after the permit is granted you will cross the immigration.
- You will collect your baggage and will approach to check-in.
- After check-in, you will cross the security and immigration and reach the gate for your flight to Japan.

Have a nice journey.
Asked by Jacqueline from CANADA | Jul. 31, 2023 11:06Reply
train to Laos
Hallo, my plan is to fly to Kunming & after a few days there (nowhere else in China) take the train directly to Laos. What does this mean, visa wise?
Answers (3)
Answered by Vivian | Aug. 01, 2023 01:32
00Reply


No, if you leave Kunming by train, you will not be given the 144-hour visa free transit. It is only for air passengers.
Answered by Georgi | Oct. 06, 2024 11:45
00Reply


Hi,
I'm considering taking the same train to Laos after flying into Kunming and I noticed that the Railway Station in Kunming is in the list of ports of entry. Does this mean that now the information is updated and it is allowed to leave by train?
Regards!
Answered by Keith | Oct. 07, 2024 23:24
00Reply


Yes. Since Aug 1, 2024, Mohan Railway Port has been added to the available entry and exit port list for the 144. So you can leave for Laos by train from Kunming. Remember to get a Laos visa in advance or ensure that you can get a visa on arrival at the Laos' port.
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