144-hour Visa-free Transit in Liaoning

Following Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, Liaoning Province in China's northeastern part has also adopted the 144-hour visa-free transit since January 1, 2018. Holders of passports issued by 54 countries and regions do not need a visa if transiting through Shenyang Taoxian International Airport or Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport for a stay not exceeding 144 hours, the equivalent of six days.
 

Who can enjoy the Liaoning 144-hour visa-free transit? - List of 54 Qualified Countries

 25 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, 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: Liaoning ⇒ C: the third country or region

Prior to passengers' entry to Liaoning and after passengers' leave from Liaoning, they are not allowed to stop anywhere in Mainland China. For example, if a passenger departs from South Korea to Liaoning with a stop in Shanghai, he cannot use the 144-hour visa-free transit.
 

Areas Allowed to Stay

Passengers eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit can move freely in Liaoning Province, which includes famous northeastern China cities like Shenyang and Dalian. In case of unexpected departure to other provinces and cities, it’s necessary to go to the local Exit and Entry Administration of Public Security Bureau to apply for a visa.
 

Registration at the Police is Required

It's important to register your stay at the police within 24 hours after arrival. If you lodge at a hotel, the hotel receptionist will do it for you. If you stay in a private house, you need to do it on your own. In case that you fail to register with the Public Security Bureau within the 24 hours after entry, you cannot enjoy the visa-free transit in China again for two years.
 

How to Apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning

Prepare the required documents including a passport valid for at least 3 months, the visa (if necessary) and ticket to the third country or region, and a completed Arrival/Departure Card. Then follow the steps in the chart for the application. 
 
144-hour visa-free transit

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

In Liaoning Province, currently only the Dalian Zhoushuizi International AirportShenyang Taoxian International Airport and Dalian Port International Cruise Center are open for this policy. It means only air passengers are permitted for entry and exit through either of these two ports.

As a routine route, many travelers prefer to entering North Korea via the international train from Shenyang or Dandong to Pyongyang. However, since the 144-hour visa-free transit is only applicable to those who fly in and fly out of Liaoning, passengers wishing to take the international train cannot use the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.
 

Contact Information of the Two Ports

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport 0086-411-96600
Shenyang Taoxian International Airport 0086-24-96833
Dalian Port International Cruise Center 0086-411-82636061

 From May 15, 2024, foreign cruise tour groups arranged by Chinese travel agencies are allowed to enter through Dalian visa-free and explore coastal provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities including Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Shanghai and Tianjin and the capital Beijing for 15 days. 
 

What Can I Do During the 144 Hours in Liaoning?

As the former palace of Qing Dynasty rulers before they entered Beijing, Shenyang Imperial Palace should be on your travel destination list during the 144-hour stay. In terms of scale, it is second only to the Forbidden City in Beijing. In 2008, it was inscribed in the World Culture Heritage List by the UNESCO. A visit around the splendid palace complex unveils a corner of Chinese history right in front of your eyes.
 

Xinghai Park in Dalian
Xinghai Park in Dalian

Strolling along the beach in Dalian

Passengers can arrange a trip of two or three days in Dalian during the layover. As a coastal city, Dalian owns beautiful golden beaches. When in Dalian, do take a stroll along the beaches to feel the gentle sea breeze on your cheeks, especially during summer evenings. Xinghai Park and Jinshitan Scenic Area both rank among the best beaches in Dalian. Seafood restaurants can be found nearby to serve you an authentic delicious meal.
 

Experiencing the wonder of Panjin Red Beach

If your 144-hour visa-free transit is scheduled in September or October, don’t forget to set aside a day to visit one of the best wonders in the world, Panjin Red Beach. The vast beach, covered by red weeds intermingled with some green weeds and adjoining to golden rice fields in the far end, creates a colorful and stunning visual effect. If you are lucky enough, you may encounter the rarely-seen red-crowned cranes there.
 

Immersing yourself in the spree of Shenyang International Ice and Snow Festival

If transiting in Liaoning in winter, Shenyang International Ice and Snow Festival should not be missed. It usually starts from the end of December through to the end of February. During this time, you can appreciate all kinds of ice carvings and snow sculptures.

Further Reading on China 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy:

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'anChongqing

- Last updated on Jul. 23, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on 144-hour Visa-free Transit in Liaoning
Asked by Hida Idris lawton from SINGAPORE | Jul. 03, 2024 23:21Reply
Singapore-Beijing-Dalian-Seoul
My step son is a uk passport holder. He will be visiting me in Singapore the we will travel to Dalian to meet my husband. There is no direct flight to Dalian from Singapore. We intend to enter Beijing (transit 2hours) then off to Dalian (stay 5 days) then exiting Dalian to Seoul. Is my son eligible for the 144 transit visa?
Answers (2)
Answered by Keith | Jul. 04, 2024 20:28
00Reply


Sorry to tell you that your route is not eligible for the 144 as you can only stay in one allowed area in China like Beijing, Tianjin and Heibei Province or Liaoning Province where Dalina is located in. To use the 144, you need to fly directly to Dalian or Beijing then to Seoul, and cannot transfer from Beijing to Dalian.
Answered by Hida | Jul. 05, 2024 21:59
00Reply


Thank you so much Keith!
Asked by Kirsty from ITALY | Apr. 17, 2024 20:21Reply
Italian Passport Holder - Do I require a visa?
Hi there,
I am travelling on an Italian Passport and I am just wanting to double check that I can travel on the following itinerary with a 15 day visa free visa or 144 hours visa.

21/4/24 -Australia - transit in Shanghai - Dalian
22/4/24 - Dalian - Shanghai
27/4/24 - Shanghai - Chennai ( Leaving this day )

Could you advise on an Italian passport whether I would require a visa for this itinerary?
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Apr. 18, 2024 18:34
00Reply


No need for a visa. You can definitely enjoy 15-day visa free entry for the itinerary and the 144 doesn't apply on you.
Asked by Matthew Huynh from USA | Jan. 10, 2020 15:25Reply
visa on arrival in Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport and stay 7 days or less
Can US citizens get visa on arrival at Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport and stay 7 days or less? How much does it cost for US citizens get visa on arrival at Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Airport and stay 7 days or less?
Answers (1)
Answered by ZUPAN | Jan. 11, 2020 04:34
00Reply


Matthew, unfortunately there is no such thing as visa on arrival in Dalian. Anyway, you can enjoy 144 hour visa free transit through Dalian if your itinerary is eligible for this travel options. For example, if your itinerary has two different countries immediately before and after Dalian, you will be eligible for 144 hour visa free transit:

Tokyo - Dalian - Seoul

As you can see in the above mentioned itinerary, you have Japan before Dalian and South Korea after Dalian and if your itinerary is similar to this one, you can enjoy 144 hour visa free transit not only in the city of Dalian, but in the entire Liaoning province, roughly the size of Montana, but with roughly 44 million inhabitants.

Also, a good detail is that during your stay and travel within Liaoning province, you are allowed to use also Shenyang airport. In other words, you can arrive to Dalian from Japan and depart from Shenyang to Germany or any other foreign country that has direct or better to say non stop flights to/from Shenyang. An itinerary of this kind is perfectly fine:

Seoul (South Korea) - Dalian - Shenyang - Bangkok (Thailand)

Now when you know this, you will be able to construct your itinerary to fit within the legal frames of 144 hour visa free transit in Liaoning province.
Asked by Andy from UNITED KINGDOM | Nov. 10, 2019 07:05Reply
UK - Shenyang - Osaka - Sheyang - UK
Hi

I am looking to travel

Leaving UK 19/12 arriving Shenyang 20/12
Leaving Shenyang 26/12 arriving Osaka 26/12
Leaving Osaka 30/12 arriving Shenyang 30/12
Leaving Shenyang 05/01 arriving Uk 05/01


Will I be entitled to 144h transit visa both ways?

UK-Shenyang-Japan
Japan-Shenyang-UK


Thank you!
Answers (1)
Answered by ZUPAN | Nov. 10, 2019 10:48
00Reply


Andy, you will obviously use LH782 and LH783 from Europe to Shenyang and back. This is fine. Also, if you are using a nonstop flight from Shenyang to Osaka and back, you will be definitely eligible for 144 hour visa free transit in the entire Liaoning province both ways.
Asked by Oscar A Marconi from UNITED STATES | Oct. 13, 2019 10:01Reply
I am going this November to visit my girlfriend can I....
stay for two weeks ? I don't understand this 144 hour visa … can you please explain or what can I do .
thank you very much.
Answers (1)
Answered by ZUPAN | Oct. 14, 2019 11:56
00Reply


Actually, this is not a visa, but 144 hour visa free transit. In other words, if you are in real transit through China and that means that the immediate points before and after your Chinese destination are in different countries, you are eligible for this visa free transit option. For example, this is an eligible itinerary:

US - Beijing - Tokyo

US - Shanghai - Hong Kong

So, if you can create an itinerary of this kind, you can enjoy 144 hour visa free transit.

Anyway, you have mentioned that you intend to visit your girlfriend and that you will stay for two weeks. In this case, I suggest you to obtain a 10 year long term, multiple entry Chinese visa. This is your best option.
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