Guangzhou 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Everything You Need to Know

Visiting China usually requires a visa, a process that can be time-consuming and expensive. However, there is a "Golden Loophole" for travelers planning a short stay or a Canton Fair sourcing trip: The 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy.

This policy allows citizens from over 50 countries to enter Guangzhou for up to 6 days without applying for a visa at a Chinese embassy beforehand. Here is how it works.

1. Who is Eligible?

You must hold a valid passport from one of the 54 eligible countries. This list includes:

Americas: USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
Europe: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, and most EU nations.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
Asia: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, Qatar.

2. The "Third Country" Rule (Crucial!)

This is the most important part. To qualify, you must be in Transit. This means your flight route must look like this: Country A -> Guangzhou -> Country C.

You cannot simply fly from your home country to Guangzhou and back.

✅ Valid Routes (You Get Entry)

London (UK) -> Guangzhou -> Sydney (Australia)
New York (USA) -> Guangzhou -> Hong Kong
Tokyo (Japan) -> Guangzhou -> Bangkok (Thailand)

❌ Invalid Routes (Entry Denied)

New York -> Guangzhou -> New York (This is a round trip, not transit)
New York -> Guangzhou -> Los Angeles (Same country destination)
London -> Beijing -> Guangzhou -> Sydney (Stopover in another Chinese city usually disqualifies the 144h Guangdong rule, though 24h rules may apply)

            💡 Pro Tip: Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan count as "Third Countries/Regions" for this policy. Flying USA -> Guangzhou -> Hong Kong is a very popular way to qualify.
        

3. How to Apply at Baiyun Airport (CAN)

You do not apply for this at an embassy. You apply upon arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Inform Your Airline: When checking in for your flight to Guangzhou, tell the airline staff you are using the "144-hour transit." Show them your confirmed connecting ticket to the third country.
Arrival: Upon landing, do NOT go to the regular immigration queue.
Find the Counter: Look for the "24/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit" counter.
Documents Needed:
- Passport (valid for at least 3 months).
- Confirmed flight ticket to a third country leaving within 144 hours.
- Arrival/Departure Card (blue form, available at the desk).
- Hotel booking confirmation (sometimes requested).
Get the Sticker: The officer will put a sticker in your passport. You are now free to enter!

4. Movement Restrictions

Under this specific policy, your movement is restricted to Guangdong Province.

You can visit Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Dongguan freely. However, you cannot take a train to Changsha, Shanghai, or Beijing. Leaving the province constitutes a visa violation.

Got your 6 days sorted?

144 hours goes by fast! Don't waste time figuring out where to go.

Only have a few days? Check our smart itinerary for a 3-day layover.

View 3-Day Plan