Hainan Airlines

Explore China without a Visa

Recent visa regulations stipulate that foreigners transiting through certain cities in China are now eligible for a 72/144-hour visa-free transit period. Passport holders from 53 countries are now eligible to leave the airport during their transit for up to a six day period without a visa, allowing passengers to explore the beauty of China before continuing on the journey.

FAQ

1. Eligible Passports
There are three conditions:
1. Citizens from the 53 countries under the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy：
  Countries including:
  1. Europe (Schengen): Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
  2. Other European Countries: Russia, Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus.
  3. Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
  4. Asia and the Middle East: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
2. Have a valid certificate for international travel and the ticket must include the exact time and seat for an interline flight to a third country within 72/144 hours
3. Transit to a third country through the airport that permits such transit. Up to Jan 24th, 2017,
  ● The 72-hour visa-free transit policy applies to : Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang, xi'an, Wuhan, Dalian, Guilin, Kunming, Chongqing, Harbin, Xiamen, Qingdao, Changsha, Shenzhen;
  ● The 144-hour visa-free transit policy applies to : Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou;
  
  (If you have any questions about the transit visa, please refer to the airport side check.)
2. Application Process

Before arrival in China:

● Have a printed version of your ENTIRE itinerary, including showing firm air tickets leaving China for a third country within the designated timeframe.
● Relevant visas and documents needed for your final destination.
● Notify Hainan Airlines if you intend to utilize the free-visa transit perid and would like to take advantage of our one-night free accommodation within the transit.

Upon arrival in China:

● Approach the designated desk at the airport and complete the application for 72/144- hour visa-free stay in China.
3. Other General Instructions
1. Can a traveler apply for the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption when no exit air ticket is bought at the time of entry but he or she plans to purchase the air ticket for a third country leaving within 72/144-hours after entry?
  NO.
  According to the requirements, a foreign national applying for the 72/144-hours transit visa exemption must hold the air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat, i.e., the exit air ticket is already in place before entry. Therefore, this facilitation measure does not apply to a foreign national that does not have a confirmed air ticket for a connecting flight leaving within 72/144-hours.
2. Does this measure apply to a foreign national coming to a city that provides 72/144-hours transit visa exemption from a certain country (region) with a confirmed air ticket for flying back to the same country (region) where he or she comes from within 72/144-hours with confirmed date of flight and seat?
  NO.
  According to the requirements, the 72/144-hours transit visa exemption measure is for a foreign national passing through Beijingor Shanghai for a third country or region. Therefore this measure does not apply to a passenger traveling from New York, USA, and stopping over at Beijing on his/her way to Los Angeles, USA.