Visitors from 45 countries can now benefit from the 72-hour visa-free stay policy in Beijing and Shanghai.

Visitors holding third country visas and plane tickets can now apply for a transit without visa at Beijing and Shanghai airports. Foreign visitors are not permitted to leave Beijing/Shanghai to other Chinese cities during the 72 hours, and have to depart from Beijing/Shanghai.

The 45 approved nations are as following:
31 European nations: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdoms.

6 American nations: United States of America, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

2 Oceania nations: Australia, New Zealand.

6 Asian nations: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Qatar, United Arab Emirates.

Restrictions of the 72-hour visa-free transit policy:
1. This regulation does not apply to passengers who travel on a single return flight (e.g., London – Beijing – London), which means the next destination and original departure can not be the same. They need to apply for a transit visa before their departure.
2. The 72-hour visa-free stay only applies to transit via Beijing Capital International Airport. Passengers by train or any other vehicles should still apply for a transit visa.
3. Visitors have to purchase connecting plane tickets before arrival to Beijing. The policy does not apply to passengers who are planning to purchase plane tickets upon arrival at Beijing airport.
3. Visitors are not allowed to leave Beijing to other cities during the 72-hour visa-free period. They can only depart Beijing from Beijing Capital International Airport.
4. If visitors are unable to depart on time due to unavoidable reasons, such as flight cancellation or treatment of sudden disease, they need to apply for a visa from Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB). Otherwise, visitors cannot apply for an extension of stay in Beijing.

Approved airports:
Beijing International Airport (PEK)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)