Chengdu extends a warm welcome to you with the upgraded 144-hour visa-free transit policy! Explore giant pandas, savor spicy hotpot, and admire Sichuan Opera—you’ll have ample time to check off all your Chengdu bucket list items. Read on for all key details about this convenient policy.
Core Policy Overview
Approved by the State Council, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy takes effect on January 1, 2019, at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. It upgrades the existing 72-hour policy, making Chengdu one of the first cities in central and western China to offer this extended benefit.
The policy allows eligible foreign travelers to transit through Chengdu and stay in the city’s administrative area for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa, facilitating both tourism and business activities.
Application Requirements
To qualify for the 144-hour visa-free transit, you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid passport or other international travel document from one of the 53 eligible countries (listed below).
- Possess a confirmed interline/connecting flight ticket to a third country/region within 144 hours of arrival.
- Enter and exit via Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
- Limit your stay to Chengdu’s administrative precincts.
- The 144-hour period starts at 0:00 on the day after entry (the arrival day is not counted).
Important Notes:
- Your departure and destination countries/regions must be different (transit to a third place is required).
- Submit an application through your carrier (airline) to border control authorities in advance.
- Travel documents must be valid for at least 3 months. Those with visa refusal stamps, or a record of illegal entry/exit, detention, or employment in China within 5 years will not be approved.
What Chengdu Has Prepared for You
To ensure a smooth experience, multiple departments in Chengdu have made comprehensive preparations:
- Dedicated visa inspection lanes at Terminal 1 of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, with multilingual (Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Korean) application forms.
- Smart transfer services, including fast border control clearance and free luggage storage.
- Ongoing upgrades to the international terminal to improve customs clearance efficiency and service quality.
- Curated travel routes (launched with Ctrip) and a Chengdu Travel PASS for easy access to attractions.
- Enhanced shopping and consumption scenes to meet diverse needs.
- 24/7 bilingual (Chinese-English) consultation hotline: +86-18030695002 (for policy-related inquiries).
Benefits for Everyone
The policy brings three significant impacts, benefiting both international visitors and Chengdu:
- Facilitates business exchanges, offering foreign investors and traders more convenient access to Sichuan.
- Boosts tourism and stimulates consumption in transportation, catering, shopping, accommodation, and leisure.
- Increases international transfer passenger numbers at Shuangliu Airport, supporting Chengdu’s development as a national aviation hub and enhancing its global appeal.
Key Reminders for Visitors
During your visa-free stay in Chengdu:
- Do not travel beyond Chengdu’s administrative area or overstay the 144-hour limit.
- For unforeseen circumstances requiring an extension or travel outside Chengdu, apply for a relevant stay permit at the local exit-entry administration in advance.
- Carry your passport or valid travel document at all times.
- Complete accommodation registration within 24 hours of check-in (hotel staff can assist with this at the front desk; re-register if you change accommodations).
Eligible 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, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
Chengdu is stepping further toward openness—we can’t wait to welcome you to this vibrant city!
