144-hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei

The 144-hour visa-free transit has been implemented in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei since December 28th, 2017. It enables air, train, and ship passengers heading for a third country or region to stay within the three places for up to six days without needing a visa application.
 

Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei 144-hour visa-free transit area
Areas Allowed to Stay

Tourists qualifying for the 144-hour free transit can move freely in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei within the 6 days. For example, if an UK passport holder entering from Beijing Capital International Airport intends to visit Beijing for 6 days, and then catch a leaving flight in Tianjin airport, there is no problem that the 144-hour visa-free transit can cover the trip and no visa will be required for the British.
 

Who can enjoy the 144-hour visa exemption? - List of 53 Qualified Countries

 24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, 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
 

What Is An Eligible Route?

A: departure country ⇒ B: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei ⇒  C: the third country or region

Passengers cannot have any stop in Mainland China between A and B, and B and C. For example, if the passenger stops in Guangzhou before entering Beijing, Tianjin, or Hebei, he or she cannot enjoy the 144-hour visa-free transit.
 

How to Apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?

For the application, documents including your passport valid for at least three months, visa (if applicable) and onward ticket to the third country or region should be prepared. Then you can follow the steps in the chart.

144-hour visa-free transit
 

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

Ports Contact Information
Beijing Capital International Airport 0086-10-56095400
Daxing International Airport 0086-10-96158
West Railway Station 0086-10-56092165
Tianjin Tianjin Binhai International Airport 0086-22-24905908
Tianjin International Cruise Home Port 0086-22-25605128
Hebei Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport 0086-311-88027961
Qinhuangdao Beidaihe International Airport 0335-7520000
 
 Note: As only the West Railway Station in Beijing allows the 144h visa-free transit, passengers taking international trains to / from Moscow, Ulaanbaatar, and North Korea cannot enjoy it, while those takings trains to / from Hanoi and Hong Kong are eligible.
 

What Can I Do During the 144 Hours?

Sightseeing in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei

Thanks to the developed intercity high speed trains, it is quite easy for visitors to transfer from Beijing to Tianjin or cities in Hebei. The One-Card system for public buses and subways will run in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, making it even more convenient to travel in the region. Why not take advantage of this visa-free transit and easy transportation to make a trip in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region?

Foreigners transiting under eligible countries’ passports are able to enjoy 144-hour visa-free transit to travel within the qualified transit zone. Beijing is not only the political and economic center of China, but also a well-known tourist resort covering a large number of attractions, such as the Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. Paying a visit to the grand Great Wall will highlight your private trip in Beijing. You could also go to Qinhuangdao City to appreciate the fascinating natural landscape of Beidaihe. In addition, viewing the Chengde Mountain Resort is recommended for it will provide you with a retreat in hot summer.

Cost-efficient Shopping With Tax Refund Policy in Beijing and Tianjin

Trans-city tax refund in Beijing and Tianjin will help you to reduce the budget. Travelers can buy things at designated tax free stores in Beijing and Tianjin and choose to apply for a tax refund in either city. For example, if you buy things in Tianjin and your leaving flight is in Beijing, you can get the refund at the Beijing airport.

 Read More:
An Ultimate Guide for Layover in Beijing
How to Plan an 8-hour Layover in Beijing: Advices for 4 to 12 Hours’ Stay
Perfect Plan for an Overnight Layover in Beijing: 12 to 24 Hours
What to do in Beijing in one day – 6 Special Things to Do
Long Layover in Beijing – How to Spend 1 to 6 Days in Beijing?
How Many Days to Spend in Beijing?
Beijing Itinerary 4 Days: What to Do & How to Plan
Beijing Itinerary 5 Days: What to See & How to Plan
How to plan a Beijing itinerary 6 days?
Beijing Itinerary 7 Days: How to spend one week in Beijing
 

 Further Reading on China 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy:
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing
 
- Last updated on Jul. 17, 2023 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on 144-hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei
Asked by Doris from HONG KONG | Aug. 24, 2023 00:01Reply
Transit in Seoul
Hi Hi,
Please advise if the below is eligible for the 144h visa free transit?
HKG - Beijing (2days) - Seoul(transit) - HKG

Thank You and Regards
Answers (1)
Answered by Carnation | Aug. 24, 2023 19:00
00Reply


That route is eligible, assuming that your HKG to Beijing flight does not have a stop in South Korea or in mainland China, and that your passport is from one of the qualified countries.
Asked by patrick from POLAND | Jul. 15, 2023 07:08Reply
PEK & PEKX
Hi. I read on facebook that on June 22, the rules of the 144 hr visa-free regime changed. does anyone have a link to the page with these changes?

I arrive from Poland to Beijing-Centralne (PEK) and departs to Japan from Beijing-Daxing (PEKX).

PEK and PEKX are localalized on the same province and even the same city.

The question is, have they changed anything? It's very hard to find information on these things...
Answers (1)
Answered by Mia | Jul. 17, 2023 02:35
00Reply


I only heard Norwegian passport holders may be included in the eligible list in the near future. Don't worry, your itinerary is eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit. It doesn't matter to change between the two different airports.
Asked by Kelly from UNITED STATES | Jun. 03, 2023 08:49Reply
Is process applying for 144-hour visa-free transit on arrival Beijing International Airport quick?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Jun. 03, 2023 10:15
00Reply


Yes, it is. Anyway, it all depends on how many applicants will be at the counter at the time when you arrive there. It is hard to predict, but I would say that a waiting time of up to 1 hour is the maximum waiting time to accomplish all the formalities.
Asked by Kelly from UNITED STATES | Jun. 03, 2023 08:48Reply
Hi am I correct that journey of US > Taipei > Beijing > US would qualify for 144 visa-free transit
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Jun. 03, 2023 10:13
00Reply


Yes, your itinerary id definitely eligible for 144 hour visa free transit in wider Beijing area. You should just have in mind that your segment Beijing - US is not allowed to have a landing in Taipei.
Asked by Henning from UNITED KINGDOM | May. 05, 2023 12:47Reply
144 h twice?
Would an itinerary London - Beijing (6days) - Seoul (6 days) - Beijing (6 days) - London be eligible for a "double" 144 h visa-free transit?
Answers (1)
Answered by Edward | May. 05, 2023 18:43
00Reply


Yes, there would be no problem. Have a nice trip!
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