144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
144 hours visa-free transit has been carried out in Guangdong, which provides great convenience for passengers from 54 countries or regions transiting through Guangdong to a third country or region. Tourists eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit in Guangdong will be able to travel within the whole province for 6 days without applying for a visa, and the stay duration will be counted from 00:00 the day after the entry date.
25 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, 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
Here A refers to the country from which passengers enter Guangdong, and C refers to a third country or region. Before passengers' entry to Guangdong and after passengers' leave from Guangdong, they cannot have a stop anywhere in Mainland China. For example, if a passenger departs from UK to Guangzhou, with a stop in Shanghai, he cannot use the 144-hour visa-free transit.
Required documents:
Passport/Travel Document valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry
Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region
Visa for a third country/region (if needed)
A fully completed Arrival/Departure Card (including name, nationality, passport no., visa no. & issuance place, flight no., purpose of visit, date of birth, gender)
In Guangdong, only 3 airports can issue the 144 hour free transit, and they are Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, as well as Jieyang Chaoshan Airport, so the passengers who want to apply for this policy need to enter Guangdong from the 3 ports. But they are allowed to leave from any port in Guangdong.
The basic information about the 3 ports is as follows:
Starting on May 15, 2024, China implements a 15-day visa-free entry through Guangzhou and Shenzhen for foreign cruise tour groups organized by Chinese travel agencies, which enables the group tourists to explore 11 coastal areas, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and the capital city Beijing.
Passengers are allowed to travel or conduct business in the whole Guangdong Province if using the 144-hour visa-free transit, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Dongguan. It's not allowed to get out of the province.
Travelers can go to some popular scenic spots to have a better understanding on Guangdong, such as the well-known Window of the World in Shenzhen, the fascinating Yuexiu Park and the charming Pearl River in Guangzhou. Taking a Pearl River cruise has become a must-do thing for travelers in Guangzhou. Sightseeing the cities in Guangdong will not disappoint tourists because there are many beautiful attractions with natural and cultural sceneries within the province.
Passengers qualify for this policy can also conduct business activities or take part in trade fairs like the Canton Fair. Within the 6 days, businessmen can visit factories and firms in depth as well.
Cantonese cuisine attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world for its refined taste. Tasting the exquisite Cantonese cuisine and delicious Guangzhou snacks can be a highlight to the 6-day trip in Guangdong.
Tourists who qualify for the 144-hour convenient visa to Guangdong province China can take a flight to enter and then embark on a cruise or tour to other countries.
Further Reading on China 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy:
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing
Which Countries Are Covered by the Policy?
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
What Is An Eligible Route?
Country A → B: Guangdong → Country C
Here A refers to the country from which passengers enter Guangdong, and C refers to a third country or region. Before passengers' entry to Guangdong and after passengers' leave from Guangdong, they cannot have a stop anywhere in Mainland China. For example, if a passenger departs from UK to Guangzhou, with a stop in Shanghai, he cannot use the 144-hour visa-free transit.
What Are the Requirements & Procedures for Application?
Passport/Travel Document valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region Visa for a third country/region (if needed) A fully completed Arrival/Departure Card (including name, nationality, passport no., visa no. & issuance place, flight no., purpose of visit, date of birth, gender) |
| How to apply for 144-hour visa-free transit |
What Are the Eligible Ports to Arrive?
The basic information about the 3 ports is as follows:
| Airport | Telephone Number | Visa Office Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou Baiyun Airport | 0086-20-36066622 | 24 hours (full year) |
| Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port | 0086-20-8305 0444 | not officially announced yet |
| 0086-755-82327700 | 10:00 to the last flight of the day (full year) | |
| Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port | 0086-400-883-1872 | 07:00 - 22:30 |
| 0086-663-3828770 | 24 hours (full year) |
Starting on May 15, 2024, China implements a 15-day visa-free entry through Guangzhou and Shenzhen for foreign cruise tour groups organized by Chinese travel agencies, which enables the group tourists to explore 11 coastal areas, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and the capital city Beijing.What Are the Eligible Ports to Leave?
| Airports | Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Jieyang Chaoshan Airport Meizhou Meixian Airport Zhanjiang Airport |
|---|---|
| Railway Ports | Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station |
| Road Ports | Wenjindu Port, Shatoujiao Port, Huanggang Port, Luohu Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, Gongbei Port, HZM Zhuhai Port, Hengqin Port, Liantang Port |
| Ferry Ports | Guangzhou Port, Nansha Port, Lianhuashan Port, Shekou Port, Shenzhen Airport Fuyong Port, Jiuzhou Port, Wangzai Port, Wanshan Port, Doumen Port, Jiangmen Port, Heshan Port, Gaoming Port (Foshan), Rongqi Port, Zhongshan Port, Humen Port, Pazhou Port. |
Areas Allowed to Stay
What Can You Do during the 144 Hours?
Sightseeing the Landmarks of Cities
Recommended Tours
Conducting Business Activities
Enjoying Famous Cantonese Cuisine
Taking Cruise Tours
Further Reading on China 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy:144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing
| Airport | Telephone Number | Visa Office Opening Hours |
| Guangzhou Baiyun Airport | 0086-20-36066622 | 24 hours (full year) |
| Shenzhen Bao'an Airport | 0086-755-82327700 | 10:00 to the last flight of the day (full year) |
| Jieyang Chaoshan Airport | 0086-663-3828770 | 24 hours (full year) |
- Last updated on Sep. 06, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Asked by Cathy from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 30, 2024 22:20
Reply
ReplyKuala Lumpur to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport to Macau
Hey Guys, UK passport from Kuala Lumpur KLIA to Shenzhen Baoan Airport, then the same day from Shenzhen Shekou terminal to Macau by ferry. This routine works for 144 hour visa free transit?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Oct. 31, 2024 00:41
0
0Reply
00ReplyCathy, if you plan to do your transfer within the same day, this will be 24 and not 144 hour visa free transit. In order to be eligible for 144 hour visa free transit, you should have stayed in mainland China (Guangdong province) at least for a minute longer than 24 hours.
Never mind, you can proceed with your plan even under 24 hour visa free transit. You should just be aware that you will have to buy your ferry ticket from Shekou to Macau through TurboJet ferry website in ad advance, even before your departure from Malaysia. You will print out that ticket and have it at hand, ready to be presented to the relevant authorities in both Malaysia and China.
The first thing you will do upon landing in Shenzhen is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit where you will apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flight/ferry tickets. This is free of any charge. After a short check, you will be granted a permit and you will head to the immigration and then transfer to the ferry port. Please, have in mind that you will really have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for. Have a nice journey.
Never mind, you can proceed with your plan even under 24 hour visa free transit. You should just be aware that you will have to buy your ferry ticket from Shekou to Macau through TurboJet ferry website in ad advance, even before your departure from Malaysia. You will print out that ticket and have it at hand, ready to be presented to the relevant authorities in both Malaysia and China.
The first thing you will do upon landing in Shenzhen is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit where you will apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flight/ferry tickets. This is free of any charge. After a short check, you will be granted a permit and you will head to the immigration and then transfer to the ferry port. Please, have in mind that you will really have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for. Have a nice journey.
Asked by Deandre from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 22, 2024 09:44Reply
ReplyHong Kong to Shenzhen via ferry? The flight to Malaysia
Hi I will be in Hong Kong for a week then need to go to Shenzhen, can I get 144 visa free by going via ferry to Shekou? And then showing onward flight from Shenzhen airport to KL? Is the ferry reliable? How can I book ferry tickets to Shenzhen, is it normally quite easy to get this? Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Oct. 22, 2024 23:3000Reply
00ReplyYour itinerary is definitely and undeniably eligible for 144 hour visa free transit that is valid for entire Guangdong province. It is very easy to take a ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou. The ferries operated by CKS - Chu Kong Passenger Transport Company depart from Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Terminal and right in the terminal you can buy a ticket for this route. Also, you can buy this ticket online at CKS - Chu Kong website. You are advised to take a ferry departing at 09:00 or 11:30 in order to reach Shekou during the first shift because they tend to be the best informed.
The ferries are reliable and upon your arrival in Shekou you will present them your flight ticket to Kuala Lumpur. You will have to present that ticket even in Hong Kong if asked, in order to be allowed to proceed to Shekou. This is a very easy and straightforward process used by many.
The ferries are reliable and upon your arrival in Shekou you will present them your flight ticket to Kuala Lumpur. You will have to present that ticket even in Hong Kong if asked, in order to be allowed to proceed to Shekou. This is a very easy and straightforward process used by many.
Asked by Karen Chernesky from CANADA | Oct. 21, 2024 07:33Reply
ReplyCan i get 144 in transit visa - flight is vancouver to hongkong to guangzhou airport
Csn you confirm a trip from vancouver to hongkong to Guangzhou airport return Guangzhou To Hongkong To vancouver is valid itinerary to get 144 hour visa ?
Answers (3)
Answered by Borut | Oct. 21, 2024 23:2700Reply
00ReplyNo, this is not a valid itinerary.
As you can see, you have a segment:
Hong Kong - Guangzhou - Hong Kong
This is just a round trip and not a transit in mainland China. The basic rule of 144 hour visa free transit clearly requires that the immediate points before and after your mainland Chinese stop have to be in two different countries or eligible territories (eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau). Your immediate point before and after a mainland Chinese stop is one and the same - Hong Kong and that is not allowed.
So, if you proceed with this travel itinerary you will have to obtain a Chinese visa in advance or you can alter/adapt your itinerary to be eligible for 144 hour visa free transit, if you can, of course. The way to alter it is to introduce a different point than Hong Kong and here I suggest you to use nearby Macau.
You can enter to Guangzhou from Hong Kong by plane from Hong Kong, but after your stay in Guangdong province, you should take a ferry from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau. In order to do that, you will buy your ferry ticket through TurboJet website and pint it out. You will have that printout at hand, ready to be presented to all it whom may concern. You have to be aware that you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for. When you reach Macau, you are free to return back to Hong Kong. Have a nice journey.
As you can see, you have a segment:
Hong Kong - Guangzhou - Hong Kong
This is just a round trip and not a transit in mainland China. The basic rule of 144 hour visa free transit clearly requires that the immediate points before and after your mainland Chinese stop have to be in two different countries or eligible territories (eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau). Your immediate point before and after a mainland Chinese stop is one and the same - Hong Kong and that is not allowed.
So, if you proceed with this travel itinerary you will have to obtain a Chinese visa in advance or you can alter/adapt your itinerary to be eligible for 144 hour visa free transit, if you can, of course. The way to alter it is to introduce a different point than Hong Kong and here I suggest you to use nearby Macau.
You can enter to Guangzhou from Hong Kong by plane from Hong Kong, but after your stay in Guangdong province, you should take a ferry from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau. In order to do that, you will buy your ferry ticket through TurboJet website and pint it out. You will have that printout at hand, ready to be presented to all it whom may concern. You have to be aware that you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for. When you reach Macau, you are free to return back to Hong Kong. Have a nice journey.
Answered by Karen Chernesky | Oct. 23, 2024 02:2800Reply
00ReplyThanks for the reply
.. will taking the railway from Guangzhou to Zhuhai work as well ?
Please advise !!
.. will taking the railway from Guangzhou to Zhuhai work as well ?
Please advise !!
Answered by Borut | Oct. 23, 2024 23:4000Reply
00ReplyNo, it will not work because Zhuhai is located within mainland China (its Guangdong province), so when you arrive in Zhuhai you are still in mainland China/Guangdong province.
You need a through ride that will take you literally in one move from mainland China to Macau and the train cannot do that because Macau is not connected to mainland China railway network in the same way as it is Hong Kong.
There are some information that some bus lines operate a through service from some mainland Chinese cities and Macau, but I am not aware of them and even if they do that, it is necessary to have a ticket in hands even before the departure from Hong Kong toward Guangzhou.
This is the reason why do I consider taking a ferry from Shekou to Macau the best option and the option that has proved itself to be working.
You need a through ride that will take you literally in one move from mainland China to Macau and the train cannot do that because Macau is not connected to mainland China railway network in the same way as it is Hong Kong.
There are some information that some bus lines operate a through service from some mainland Chinese cities and Macau, but I am not aware of them and even if they do that, it is necessary to have a ticket in hands even before the departure from Hong Kong toward Guangzhou.
This is the reason why do I consider taking a ferry from Shekou to Macau the best option and the option that has proved itself to be working.
Asked by Leticija from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 20, 2024 15:03Reply
ReplyBaoan 144 visa free transi
Our flight lands in Shenzhen at 6 am on 27th Decemebr and we are flying out to London on 29th December. If the office doesn’t open before 10 am does that mean we need to wait for 4 hours before we can get the 144 hour permit to exit the airport?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Oct. 20, 2024 23:2600Reply
00ReplyYes, it seems so. However, the things are changing so fast, so I would not be surprised even if you will be able to accomplish your formalities even before the formally announced opening hours that might have already been changed until now. To be precise, I expect that you will be able to perform all the necessary formalities even before 10:00, but it is better to be prepared for some waiting time than to be disappointed because of some higher expectations.
Asked by Jan from CZECH | Oct. 14, 2024 14:27Reply
ReplyShekou port entry and Guangzhou IA leaving
Hello guys, may I enter through Shekou port from HK to apply for 144 visa with a plane ticket to Hanoi from Guangzhou Airport? Will this be working?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Oct. 14, 2024 23:4310Reply
10ReplyYes, you can do that. You will take a ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou port in Shenzhen where you will present your flight ticket from Guangzhou to Hanoi. You have to be aware that you have right to stay and move within the entire Guangdong province for 6 days. However, it is highly advisable to have a hotel booking for at least for the first night while you are in Guangdong province. Also, you are advised to take the first morning ferry from Hong Kong, operated by CKS - Chu Kong Passenger Service Company to Shekou because the morning shift sees the best informed employees in both Hong Kong and Shekou ports.
Jan, I recommend you to use correct terminology because this is not 144 visa, but 144 hour visa free transit, so there is no visa at all of any kind. Have a nice journey.
One more detail. Beside Shekou, you can also take a ferry from Hong Kong to Nansha port located south from Guangzhou or to be precise, closer to Guangzhou compared to Shekou.
Jan, I recommend you to use correct terminology because this is not 144 visa, but 144 hour visa free transit, so there is no visa at all of any kind. Have a nice journey.
One more detail. Beside Shekou, you can also take a ferry from Hong Kong to Nansha port located south from Guangzhou or to be precise, closer to Guangzhou compared to Shekou.