240-hour Visa-free Transit in Chengdu

 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. To say it simply, travelers of 54 countries can tour around 24 provinces, regions and municipalities in China for at most 10 days under international transit routes!  See the province and port list on 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
The 10-day, or 240-hour visa-free transit has been introduced to Chengdu, a fascinating travel destination in China. This benefits citizens from 54 countries who are transiting in Chengdu for a layover not exceeding 240 hours. That is, you are able to stay for as long as 10 days in Chengdu and other 10 cities in Sichuan Province without applying for a visa in advance if you are from one of the countries. Making use of the visa-free policy will not only save your money, but also give you a chance to enjoy a hassle-free layover tour in Chengdu.
 

Who can enjoy the 240-hour visa-free transit? - List of 54 Qualified Countries

 American Countries: US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

 Other European Countries: UK, Ireland, Russia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco

 Asian Countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

Areas Allowed to Stay

Passengers qualifying under the 240-hour visa-free transit are allowed to travel within Chengdu and other 10 cities in Sichuan, including Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Ziyang, Yibin, Ya'an, and Meishan. Unfortunately, the famous Jiuzhai Valley is not within this region.
 

What Is an Eligible Route?

Departure Country A: ⇒ 24 Provinces in China ⇒ The Third Country B

You need to take an international flight, cruise or train to 24 provinces in China, after a no more than 10 days' visit then leave for the third country. Country B can be HK, Macau or Taiwan of China. 
 see the 24 provinces and eligible port list on China 240-Hour Visa-Free Policy
 

What Documents Do I Need?

1. Your passport, valid for at least 3 months at the time of application;
2. A confirmed air ticket to a third country;
3. A visa to the third country if required;
4. An arrival/ departure card.
 

How to Apply for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit? - A step by step guide

144-hour visa-free transit
1. Inform the airline when boarding
2. Fill an Arrival/Departure Card
3. Apply for the 240-hour visa-free stay permit upon arrival
4. Claim the luggage
5. Go through the customs
6. Leave the airport
 

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

If you wish to transit in Chengdu and use the 240-hour visa-free transit facility, Shuangliu International Airport and Tianfu International Airport can both be used for your entry and exit. The contact number of the Shuangliu Airport is 0086-28-85205555 if you have any further queries.
 

What Can I Do During the 240 Hours?

Take a close look at the pandas

Wide and Narrow Alley
Wide and Narrow Alley

When mentioning Chengdu, what comes into your mind first? I guess the answer is pandas. They are fluffy and cute, and mostly inhabit Chengdu, China. A Chengdu trip is never complete without greeting with the pandas. The Panda Base, only 10 km (6 miles) from downtown Chengdu, should be absolutely on your destination list. Half a day is enough for the visit.
 

Explore the most prosperous landmarks

The Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street and the Wide and Narrow Alley nearby are perhaps the most thriving part of the city. There you can see two sides of Chengdu, fashionable and antique. International brands gather here in large shopping malls, while vendors sell small traditional commodities on the streets. You can enjoy a wide variety of Chengdu snacks there, like wonton, boiled glutinous rice balls, or spicy chili skewers.

Sometimes it is nice to sit back and enjoy a nice cup of tea, and embrace the slow lifestyle of Chengdu at a teahouse. Some teahouses offer the ear cleaning service. Time permitting, you can have your ears picked, which makes settles your nerves and is more relaxing. If you arrive at night, you may visit Jinli Street, where you can enjoy a similar travel experience to the Wide and Narrow Alley, but more charming as a night piece.
 

Enjoy spicy Chengdu hotpot

Hotpot is what makes Chengdu so famous in terms of its food. If you get used to spicy and hot food, do take the chance to challenge your taste buds. There are numerous hotpot restaurants and you can find one easily no matter where you are. In some restaurants, the classical face-changing performance in Sichuan opera is available, adding fun to your meal.

- Last updated on Dec. 18, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on 240-hour Visa-free Transit in Chengdu
Asked by Sharon from CANADA | Dec. 01, 2024 20:15Reply
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
Hello,

There is conflicting information online about TFU. Official Chinese websites seem to state that the only port of entry in Chengdu that offers the 144-Hour Transit Without a Visa is Shuangliu Airport, however most travel pages, like yourself, seem to state that both airports have this available.

Can you confirm?

Our flight is HKG > TFU > MFM and I'm hoping we didn't make a big mistake.

Thank you so much!
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 02, 2024 04:39
00Reply


You did not make any mistake because the official NIA (National Immigration Administration clearly presents TFU (Tianfu) as an eligible airport for 144 hour visa free transit. NIA is the top institution that is in charge of all the immigration rules, 144 hour visa free transit included.

Please, just visit https://en.nia.gov.cn/ website and you will easily see the link to visa free transit subject where all the eligible ports are clearly mentioned, TFU airport included. Also, you will see a chat option that you can use to confirm this detail even in a more convincing way.

Please, just do not worry because your itinerary is definitely and undeniably eligible for 144 hour visa free transit valid for a wider Chengdu area. Have a nice and relaxed stay in Chengdu and its surroundings.
Asked by Manpinder sood from NEW ZEALAND | Nov. 30, 2024 18:43Reply
Airport change in chengdu
Hi there, i am travelling from auckland to beining to chengdu to kathmandu and return kathmandu to chengdu to beijing to auckland. But i have to change airports from chengdu CTU to chengdu TFU and while returning chengdu TFU to chengdu CTU. I am holding nepalese passport can you please advise what visa i need to change the airports?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Dec. 02, 2024 00:28
00Reply


Manpinder,

If your total travel time in China, counted from your first landing (in your case in Beijing) until your last departure (in your case from Chengdu) is shorter than 24 hours, you do not need any kind of visa because your transit in China will be covered by 24 hour visa free transit.

The first thing that you will do upon your landing in Beijing will be to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit to be allowed to formally enter China because your next flight to Chengdu will be a domestic one. At the counter you will present your flight tickets and after a short check you will be granted a permit and you will then head to the immigration. When you clear the immigration you will head to the gate for your flight to Chengdu. Upon landing in Chengdu you will cross the exit immigration and head to your flight for Kathmandu.

You will do exactly the same thing for your flight back to Auckland, but just in reverse order, first Chengdu with a temporary entry permit, then Beijing and then Auckland. All you should have in mind is to carefully calculate your entire transit time in China in the way as I have mentioned at the beginning of this post. If your transit time exceeds 24 hours, the you need to obtain a Chinese transit (G) visa in advance. I hope your transit time is shorter than 24 hours and I wish you a pleasant journey.
Asked by Iain RBMartin from UNITED KINGDOM | Nov. 28, 2024 04:28Reply
Tranistion reuirement British Citezen Traveling from Heathrow to Manila via Chengdu.
Dear Sir/Madam

I am travelling to Manila from Heathrow Uk via Chengdu on the 3rd December I have a return ticket via Beajing May 25 What are the visa requirements for transition. Previously completed a form at the China Airport and no other paperwork was required. I am completing the Philippines requirement on line and will have the appropriate QR code for entry there. Please can you advise.

Many thanks

Iain Martin
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Nov. 29, 2024 00:12
00Reply


If I have correctly understood you, your both way itineraries are:

UK - Chengdu - Philippines
Philippines - Beijing - UK

Under assumption that your itineraries are as I have presented you will be covered by 24 hour visa free transit if your layovers are shorter than 24 hours or by 144 hour visa free transit if your layovers are longer than 24 hours. In both cases no visa is needed.

If your layovers are short, for example, shorter than 5 - 6 hours, you will just remain at the airport, airside. In that case, you will just walk from one to the other gate, you will not be a subject of immigration or customs inspection and you do not need to perform any formality like filling out a form or similar. Literally nothing.

If your layovers are long(er) and you plan to exit the airport, the first thing you will do upon landing in China (regardless if we are talking about Chengdu or Beijing) is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flight tickets and your hotel booking confirmation if you plan to stay overnight in the hotel. When your permit is granted you will head to the immigration and then to the city to enjoy your time on your own.

This is all as far as your China transit is concerned, but I am afraid that I cannot answer anything relevant as far as the Philippines immigration requirements are. In any case, enjoy your journey.
Asked by Dmitry from RUSSIA | Nov. 22, 2024 11:01Reply
Hello, can you please say what documents needed for 5-years old kid for 144 hour visa free transit?
Answers (5)
Answered by Dmitry | Nov. 22, 2024 11:03
00Reply


We are going to Chengdu as a family, 2 parents + 1 child
Answered by Borut | Nov. 25, 2024 05:05
00Reply


Dmitry, 5 years old needs a passport in the same way as the adult passengers do. In reality, there is no difference.

You should be aware that if you really want to use 144 hour visa free transit, you will really have to be in a transit through Chengdu based on the formula:

Country A - Country B (China) - Country C

Also, you are not allowed to have any additional landing of any kind within mainland China beside Chengdu. An eligible itinerary would look like this:

Moscow - Chengdu - Hong Kong

Like this you can enjoy 144 hour visa free transit in wider Chengdu area. However, if your itinerary is:

Moscow - Beijing - Chengdu - Hong Kong

This is not eligible for 144 hour visa free transit. Please, have those details in mind and I wish you a pleasant journey.
Answered by Dmitry | Nov. 26, 2024 06:10
00Reply


Thanks, we already:
- Bought tickets for all family
Saint-Petersburg (LED) -> Chengdu (TFU) -- 3 days -- Chengdu (TFU) -> Bangkok (BKK)
- Booked a hotel in Chengdu for 3 nights
- Our passports are valid for more than 3 months

So, I think now we have everything to get a transit visa?
Answered by Borut | Nov. 26, 2024 23:23
00Reply


Dmitry, your itinerary is definitely eligible for 144 hour visa free transit in wider Chengdu area and you do not need any kind of visa. It is just important that your flight from Chengdu to Bangkok does not have any additional landing anywhere within mainland China! It has to be a nonstop flight from Chengdu to Bangkok and you will be perfectly fine. I understand that your flight from Sankt Peterburg to Chengdu will be 3U3816 - Sichuan Airlines.

Also, I encourage you to use correct terminology because it is not a transit visa, but 144 hour visa free transit. There is no visa of any kind at all. When you land in Chengdu the first thing that you will do is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit where you will be granted a temporary entry permit and after that you will head to the immigration. Enjoy in your stay in Chengdu area.
Answered by Dmitry | Nov. 27, 2024 02:37
00Reply


Thank you!
Yes, it will be direct flights to Chengdu (3U-3816 Sichuan Airlines) and from Chengdu to Bangkok (3U-3937 - Sichuan Airlines) without any additional landings.
And yes, 144 hour visa free transit, ok :)
Asked by Beth | Nov. 19, 2024 00:53Reply
just wondering whether i need a visa if i am staying in Chengdu for 5 days on australian passport?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Nov. 19, 2024 23:26
00Reply


No, you do not need any kind of visa because the citizens of Australia can enter, stay, explore mainland China, Chengdu included, for up to 15 days absolutely visa free. In other words, all you need is your passport. When you will enter China for the first time you will just fill out the arrival card that you will get on the plane or at the point of your first entry. Basically you do not need to have/do anything more than that. Have a nice visit to Chengdu.
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