240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
From Dec. 17, 2024, the duration of 144h visa-free transit policy has been extended to 240h for tourism, family visits, exchange visits and business. More importantly, travelers can now cross provincial boundaries to travel between the permitted 24 provinces, regions and municipalities which cover most tourist cities across Mainland China through 60 ports. See the province and port list on 240-Hour Visa-Free TransitWhich Countries Are Covered by the Policy?
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?
Country A → 24 Provinces of China → Country B
Eg: √ UK – Guangdong - Shanghai – Malaysia see the 24 provinces and eligible port list on China 240-Hour Visa-Free PolicyWhat Are the Requirements & Procedures for Application?
Passport/Travel Document valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region Visa for a third country/region (if needed) A fully completed Arrival/Departure Card (including name, nationality, passport no., visa no. & issuance place, flight no., purpose of visit, date of birth, gender) |
| How to apply for 240-hour visa-free transit |
What Are the Eligible Ports to Arrive in Guangdong?
The basic information about the 3 ports is as follows:
| Airport | Telephone Number | Visa Office Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou Baiyun Airport | 0086-20-36066622 | 24 hours (full year) |
| Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port | 0086-20-8305 0444 | not officially announced yet |
| 0086-755-82327700 | 10:00 to the last flight of the day (full year) | |
| Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port | 0086-400-883-1872 | 07:00 - 22:30 |
| 0086-663-3828770 | 24 hours (full year) |
Starting on May 15, 2024, China implements a 15-day visa-free entry through Guangzhou and Shenzhen for foreign cruise tour groups organized by Chinese travel agencies, which enables the group tourists to explore 11 coastal areas, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and the capital city Beijing.What Are the Eligible Ports to Leave in Guangdong?
| Airports | Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Jieyang Chaoshan Airport Meizhou Meixian Airport Zhanjiang Airport |
|---|---|
| Railway Ports | Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station |
| Road Ports | Wenjindu Port, Shatoujiao Port, Huanggang Port, Luohu Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, Gongbei Port, HZM Zhuhai Port, Hengqin Port, Liantang Port |
| Ferry Ports | Guangzhou Port, Nansha Port, Lianhuashan Port, Shekou Port, Shenzhen Airport Fuyong Port, Jiuzhou Port, Wangzai Port, Wanshan Port, Doumen Port, Jiangmen Port, Heshan Port, Gaoming Port (Foshan), Rongqi Port, Zhongshan Port, Humen Port, Pazhou Port. |
Areas Allowed to Stay
What Can You Do during the 240 Hours?
Sightseeing the Landmarks of Cities
Recommended Tours
Conducting Business Activities
Enjoying Famous Cantonese Cuisine
Taking Cruise Tours
- Last updated on Dec. 18, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong
Asked by P from HONG KONG | Dec. 14, 2024 08:34
Reply
ReplyCanada-HK-Shenzhen-Canada
Hi, I would like to ask for my friend who is a Canadian, coming for tourism.
I have a query about the 144 hours stay for this case, can she go to Shenzhen from Hong Kong via any means of transport? say cross border bus, bullet train?
I have a query about the 144 hours stay for this case, can she go to Shenzhen from Hong Kong via any means of transport? say cross border bus, bullet train?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 16, 2024 00:05
0
0Reply
00ReplyThe best solution is to apply for a 5 days Shenzhen visa on arrival right at the border crossing. It is advised to use Lo Wu / Luohu border crossing and to arrive there at least at 08:30 because Luohu visa office opens at 09:00. It is better to arrive there in the morning in order to avoid major queues.
She/he will bring her/his valid passport and she/he will fill out the relevant form at the border crossing. She/he will take a photo in the same place and pay affordable fee of 130 CNY by card. All major cards are accepted. After the visa is issued, she/he can proceed into Shenzhen, but keep in mind that this visa limits you to Shenzhen city limits. When the time for a flight arrives, she/he will take it. This flight has to be a direct flight to a third country without any additional landing within mainland China. I assume that it will be a Hainan Airlines flight with a nonstop flight to Vancouver. That one is fine if you were thinking about it.
There is also an option to relay on 144 hour visa free transit, but a bit more complicated and it requires her/him to take a ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou port in Shenzhen. If the latter is what you want, just tell me and I will explain the procedure.
She/he will bring her/his valid passport and she/he will fill out the relevant form at the border crossing. She/he will take a photo in the same place and pay affordable fee of 130 CNY by card. All major cards are accepted. After the visa is issued, she/he can proceed into Shenzhen, but keep in mind that this visa limits you to Shenzhen city limits. When the time for a flight arrives, she/he will take it. This flight has to be a direct flight to a third country without any additional landing within mainland China. I assume that it will be a Hainan Airlines flight with a nonstop flight to Vancouver. That one is fine if you were thinking about it.
There is also an option to relay on 144 hour visa free transit, but a bit more complicated and it requires her/him to take a ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou port in Shenzhen. If the latter is what you want, just tell me and I will explain the procedure.
Asked by Nicole from SPAIN | Dec. 09, 2024 04:34Reply
ReplyTraveling with Young Children from Hong Kong to Shenzhen via High-Speed Rail - Visa Requirments
Hi there, I am from Spain and would like to travel to Shenzhen Futian with my two young daughters, aged 2 and 3, from Hong Kong on March 26 and return to Hong Kong on March 28, 2025. Can I take the High-Speed Rail from West Kowloon to Futian without needing to apply for a visa?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 09, 2024 23:0800Reply
00ReplyYou really do not need any kind of visa since Spanish citizens can enter, stay and explore the entire China absolutely visa free for up to 30 days. Shenzhen is not an exception or in other words, you can do exactly as you have presented absolutely visa free by taking a train from Hong Kong to Futian and back as well.
The only detail you will do is to fill out the arrival card(s) at West Kowloon station where both, Hong Kong and mainland China immigration authorities are located "under the same roof". Just proceed with your travel plans and have a nice visit to Shenzhen.
The only detail you will do is to fill out the arrival card(s) at West Kowloon station where both, Hong Kong and mainland China immigration authorities are located "under the same roof". Just proceed with your travel plans and have a nice visit to Shenzhen.
Asked by peter fung from HONG KONG | Dec. 02, 2024 02:01Reply
ReplyMy planned Itinerary for USA citizen
Please comment on my planned itinerary for my relatives who are USA citizens whether they fullfil the 144 hour visa free visit :
1. Take a ferry to NanSha port, stay at Shunde for 4 days, back to West Kowloon by high speed train.
2. After one day, go to Guangzhou vis Lohu or Futain boundary point by ordinary train, stay 4 days in Guangzhou and back to Hong Kong via Lohu or Huanggang or ShenZhen bay point.
Thank you very much.
1. Take a ferry to NanSha port, stay at Shunde for 4 days, back to West Kowloon by high speed train.
2. After one day, go to Guangzhou vis Lohu or Futain boundary point by ordinary train, stay 4 days in Guangzhou and back to Hong Kong via Lohu or Huanggang or ShenZhen bay point.
Thank you very much.
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 02, 2024 23:2200Reply
00ReplyNo, unfortunately, this is not possible in the form as you have presented. Several additional details are required for them to be eligible.
1. They cannot depart from Hong Kong and return to Hong Kong. There has to be a country/region C. They can depart from Hong Kong to mainland China (Guangdong province), but they have to exit from mainland China to Macau by taking a direct ferry from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau. When in Macau they can return to Hong Kong. Alternatively, they can depart from Macau to Shekou port in Shenzhen by ferry and after their stay in Guangdong province return by train from Guangzhou to West Kowloon station in Hong Kong. It is essential to understand that a return ticket being it on a ferry or on a train has to be bought before departing toward Guangdong province.
2. If they enter Guangdong province via Lo Wu / Luohu they can only apply for a 5 days Shenzhen visa on arrival that is valid only for Shenzhen city limits. They are not allowed to travel anywhere outside Shenzhen. In other words, they can repeat again the same Hong Kong - Guangdong province - Macau scheme under 144 hour visa free transit or Macau - Guangdong province - Hong Kong. This is fine and acceptable.
So, the possibility of using 144 hour visa free transit that allows a moving within the entire Guangdong province is a realistic possibility, but they have to depart from Hong Kong and return in Macau or vice versa. Between Macau and Hong Kong they can move as many times as they wish.
Hope that helps.
1. They cannot depart from Hong Kong and return to Hong Kong. There has to be a country/region C. They can depart from Hong Kong to mainland China (Guangdong province), but they have to exit from mainland China to Macau by taking a direct ferry from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau. When in Macau they can return to Hong Kong. Alternatively, they can depart from Macau to Shekou port in Shenzhen by ferry and after their stay in Guangdong province return by train from Guangzhou to West Kowloon station in Hong Kong. It is essential to understand that a return ticket being it on a ferry or on a train has to be bought before departing toward Guangdong province.
2. If they enter Guangdong province via Lo Wu / Luohu they can only apply for a 5 days Shenzhen visa on arrival that is valid only for Shenzhen city limits. They are not allowed to travel anywhere outside Shenzhen. In other words, they can repeat again the same Hong Kong - Guangdong province - Macau scheme under 144 hour visa free transit or Macau - Guangdong province - Hong Kong. This is fine and acceptable.
So, the possibility of using 144 hour visa free transit that allows a moving within the entire Guangdong province is a realistic possibility, but they have to depart from Hong Kong and return in Macau or vice versa. Between Macau and Hong Kong they can move as many times as they wish.
Hope that helps.
Asked by Lee from USA | Dec. 01, 2024 18:06Reply
ReplyUSA citizens travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen and to Zhongshan/Guangzhou for multiple day-trips
What is the efficient process to use the 24 or 144 hour visa free transit, and at which port of entry and port of exit for the following multiple 1-day trips originating from and returning to Hong Kong:
1. Hong Kong West Kowloon Train Station to Shenzhen
2. Hong Kong West Kowloon Train Station to Zhongshan via bullet train or other trains
3. Shuttle Bus ride from Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui area to Zhongshan via the newly opened Shenzhen to Zhongshan bridge
Thanks.
1. Hong Kong West Kowloon Train Station to Shenzhen
2. Hong Kong West Kowloon Train Station to Zhongshan via bullet train or other trains
3. Shuttle Bus ride from Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui area to Zhongshan via the newly opened Shenzhen to Zhongshan bridge
Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 02, 2024 04:3000Reply
00ReplyYou cannot use 24 or 144 hour visa free transit for such a purpose because a transit implies the existence of a third country or eligible region (eligible regions are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau) or to be precise, the immediate points before and after your mainland Chinese stop (destination) have to be in two different countries or eligible territories.
In other words, an itinerary
Hong Kong - any mainland Chinese point - Hong Kong
Is not a transit, but a return trip.
You need something like this:
Hong Kong - Guangdong province (by ferry or air only) - Macau (by ferry)
As you can see, you can take a ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen (Shekou port) or to Nansha port located south from Guangzhou. Before your departure from Hong Kong you will have to buy a ferry ticket from Shenzhen (Shekou port) to Macau and have it at hand, ready to be presented to both Hong Kong and to the mainland Chinese authorities as a proof that you will be in a real transit. Also, you will really have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
Only the suggested itinerary will allow you to enjoy 144 hour visa free transit that is valid for the entire Guangdong province, but please keep in mind that your stay in Guangdong province has to be longer than 24 hours by just one minute based on your scheduled ferry arrival/departure times. So, having a stay in Guangdong province just slights longer than 24 hours is essential!
Alternatively, you can depart from Macau by ferry to Shekou port in Shenzhen and then return to Hong Kong by high speed train to Hong Kong from Shenzhen or Guangzhou stations directly to Hong Kong West Kowloon station. Having a train ticket before your departure from Macau is essential as well as your more than 24 hours stay in Guangdong province.
In other words, an itinerary
Hong Kong - any mainland Chinese point - Hong Kong
Is not a transit, but a return trip.
You need something like this:
Hong Kong - Guangdong province (by ferry or air only) - Macau (by ferry)
As you can see, you can take a ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen (Shekou port) or to Nansha port located south from Guangzhou. Before your departure from Hong Kong you will have to buy a ferry ticket from Shenzhen (Shekou port) to Macau and have it at hand, ready to be presented to both Hong Kong and to the mainland Chinese authorities as a proof that you will be in a real transit. Also, you will really have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
Only the suggested itinerary will allow you to enjoy 144 hour visa free transit that is valid for the entire Guangdong province, but please keep in mind that your stay in Guangdong province has to be longer than 24 hours by just one minute based on your scheduled ferry arrival/departure times. So, having a stay in Guangdong province just slights longer than 24 hours is essential!
Alternatively, you can depart from Macau by ferry to Shekou port in Shenzhen and then return to Hong Kong by high speed train to Hong Kong from Shenzhen or Guangzhou stations directly to Hong Kong West Kowloon station. Having a train ticket before your departure from Macau is essential as well as your more than 24 hours stay in Guangdong province.
Asked by Esther from USA | Nov. 29, 2024 23:47Reply
ReplyUS citizen - to Shenzhen
Hi, what’s the cheapest and quickest way to get to Shenzhen?
Would I need to get a 144 hour visa and travel via ferry from HK to Shenzhen? But if i do that, I can still take the bullet train back to HK right?
Would I need to get a 144 hour visa and travel via ferry from HK to Shenzhen? But if i do that, I can still take the bullet train back to HK right?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 02, 2024 00:1100Reply
00ReplyNo, this is not possible. You can use 144 hour visa free transit by taking a ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen (Shekou port only), but after your stay in Shenzhen you would have to return first by ferry to Macau and then from Macau to Hong Kong. Like this, you will be eligible for 144 hour visa free transit that is valid for Shenzhen and the rest of Guangdong province. Please, have in mind that, if you decide to use this option, you will have to buy Shenzhen to Macau ferry ticket in advance, even before you depart from Hong Kong, to print it out and to have that printout with you at hand as a proof that you will be really in a transit. Also, you will really have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
In my opinion, if Shenzhen is your only destination within mainland China, I would suggest you to rely on Shenzhen 5 days visa on arrival that has quite an affordable price of 130 CNY that you will pay at the Lo Wu / Luohu border crossing. You are advised to arrive at Lo Wu / Luohu border crossing not later than 08:30 because Luohu visa office opens at 09:00. You need your passport, the photo of you will be taken there and you will fill out a form. After you have paid the fee, you are free to stay in Shenzhen for up to 5 days and in this case you can return directly to Hong Kong by high speed train from Shenzhen without a need to go to a third region.
In my opinion, if Shenzhen is your only destination within mainland China, I would suggest you to rely on Shenzhen 5 days visa on arrival that has quite an affordable price of 130 CNY that you will pay at the Lo Wu / Luohu border crossing. You are advised to arrive at Lo Wu / Luohu border crossing not later than 08:30 because Luohu visa office opens at 09:00. You need your passport, the photo of you will be taken there and you will fill out a form. After you have paid the fee, you are free to stay in Shenzhen for up to 5 days and in this case you can return directly to Hong Kong by high speed train from Shenzhen without a need to go to a third region.