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240-hour Visa-free Transit in Liaoning

From Dec. 17, 2024, the duration of 144h visa-free transit policy has been extended to 240h. More excitingly, travelers can now cross provincial boundaries to travel between the permitted 24 provinces, regions and municipalities which cover most famous tourist cities across Mainland China through 60 ports. See the province and port list on 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Following Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, Liaoning Province in China's northeastern part has also adopted the 240-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 and international cruise of Dalian for a stay not exceeding 240 hours, the equivalent of 10 days.

Who can enjoy the Liaoning 240-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 ⇒ 24 Provinces and Regions in China ⇒ B: the third country or region

Passengers can arrive in and leave from 24 provinces and regions in China for a third country or region.

see the 24 provinces and eligible port list on China 240-Hour Visa-Free Policy

Areas Allowed to Stay

Passengers eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit can move freely in 24 provinces and regions in China.

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 240-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.

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

In Liaoning Province, currently only the Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, Shenyang Taoxian International Airport and Dalian Port International Cruise Center are open for this 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 240 Hours in Liaoning?

Visiting Shenyang Imperial Palace

As the former palace of Qing Dynasty rulers before they entered Beijing, Shenyang Imperial Palace should be on your travel destination list during the 240-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

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 240-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.

- Last updated on Dec. 18, 2024 by Gabby Li -

Questions & Answers on 240-hour Visa-free Transit in Liaoning

Asked by Jan Nemec from CZECH REPUBLIC | Nov. 21, 2024 06:37

Dalian 144 hours visa free entry when traveling: Prague -> Seoul -> Dalian -> Seoul -> Prague

Hello,

I am Czech and traveling from Prague to Seoul and I would like to know, if I would be able to visit Dalian for 2 and half days during this trip without visa.
I would do: Prague -> Seoul -> Dalian -> Seoul -> Prague

Thanks and have a nice day,
Jan

Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Nov. 22, 2024 15:17

Jan, your itinerary is not eligible for any visa free transit scheme because this is a round trip and not a transit. The basic rule of 144 hour visa free transit requires that the immediate points before and after your mainland Chinese stop have to be in two different countries or eligible territories. As you can see, your both immediate points, before and after Dalian are in the same country - South Korea. An eligible itinerary should look like, for example:

Prague - Seoul - Dalian - Osaka (Japan) - Seoul - Prague

Or any other combination where the immediate points are in two different countries or eligible territories (eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau). Also, you are not allowed to have two mainland Chinese stops in a row.

Asked by Ken from U.S.A | Nov. 19, 2024 12:42

1-hour transfer in Shenyang

U.S. citizen. I am flying from Frankfurt to Taipei via China Mainland. Originally the flight was direct to Guangzhou, where I intended to use a 144-hour visa for a two-day layover. But China Southern changed the itinerary, and now the flight will go first to Shenyang, where I will wait for one hour to transfer to a connecting flight to Guangzhou. I won't be leaving the Shenyang airport at all, but I am now worried that because the second leg is a domestic flight, I might need a visa of some kind simply to land in Shenyang / to get through a passport check. Or will none be required since I won't leave the airport?

Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Nov. 19, 2024 23:35

Ken, unfortunately, a travel without a visa if you have more than one stop within mainland China is limited to just 24 hours. In other words if your itinerary is:

Frankfurt - Shenyang - Guangzhou - Taipei

You can travel it visa free, but only under 24 hour visa free transit. Having more than one stop immediately disqualifies you from any possibility to enjoy 144 hour visa free transit. So, you will have to cross through Chine within the period shorter than 24 hours if you want to avoid issuing a visa in advance.

As you can see, your first landing in Shenyang implies that you will cross the immigration into China exactly there. Also, you will obtain a temporary entry permit at the 24/144 hour transit counter right in Shenyang before you head to the immigration because your next flight to Guangzhou will be a domestic one.

If you want to retain your original itinerary and to enjoy several days in Guangzhou with a stop in Shenyang, you will have to obtain a Chinese visa, preferably a transit (G) visa in advance. I'm sorry for bringing you these inconvenient news, but it is better to be informed than sorry when rejected boarding.

Asked by Hida Idris lawton from SINGAPORE | Jul. 03, 2024 23:21

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

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

Thank you so much Keith!

Asked by Kirsty from ITALY | Apr. 17, 2024 20:21

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

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 15:25

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

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.