Tianjin 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit for Flight and Cruise Passengers
Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on January 24, 2024:
1. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
2. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is now available for other 6 countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. China will be 15-day visa free for Ireland and Switzerland soon.
3. China will gradually phase out the appointment system for visa applications. As of now, nearly 100 Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have implemented the "walk-in" system, and it is expected that all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will have implemented the "walk-in" system by the end of this year.
4. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."
5. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.
6. The 15-day visa-free entry policy for Singaporean citizens has been resumed.
7. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.
8. Make the following adjustments to the visa and entry policies for foreigners entering China, effective from 00:00 March 15, 2023 Beijing time:
1). The entry function of visas which were issued before March 28, 2020 and still valid will be restored.
2). Overseas visa offices will resume issuing various types of visas (including Tourist Visa) for foreigners to travel to China, with specific requirements detailed in the visa application guidelines of Chinese embassies or consulates.
3). Port visa offices will resume issuing various types of port visas for lawful purposes.
4). The policies of visa-free entry for Hainan, Shanghai International cruise arrival, Guangdong for Tourist group entry of foreigners from Hong Kong, Macau, and ASEAN tourist groups entering Guilin, Guangxi will be restored.
9. Attention on China Group Visa on Arrival in Nepal: needs minimum 4 applicants, and no maximum limit. All applicants from one list must all come to the Visa Center for application.
10. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
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Do I need a visa to visit Tianjin?
Normally, foreigners have to get a China Visa to visit Tianjin as well as other destinations in mainland China. But there is a special visa-free policy certain visitors can use to travel to Tianjin without visa - the 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. If successfully approved, international transit passengers don’t need a pre-arrival China Visa to Tianjin and pay any visa application fees, on the contrary, you could get 6-day “no-visa” Beijing tour from Tianjin. Besides, foreign cruise tour groups entered China from Shanghai may enjoy visa-free excursion to Tianjin when the cruise dock at Tianjin. More about 15-Day Visa-Free Entry to Shanghai and Tianjin for Cruise Tour Groups.
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Tianjin Huangyaguan Great Wall
Table of Page Content
Since December 28th, 2017, China has carried out 144-Hour Transit Without Visa (144-Hour TWOV) Program in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region (also simplified as Jing-Jin-Ji Region 京津冀地区). The policy offers transit visitors great chance to have a stopover tour from Tianjin to Beijing and saves them lots of time and money.
Cruise Ovation of the Seas Dock at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
Under the rule, foreign visitors of 54 countries holding valid international travel documents and tickets to a third country or region, are allowed to apply Transit Visa Exemption in Tianjin (Tianjin Binhai International Airport & Tianjin International Cruise Home Port), Beijing (Beijing Capital International Airport & Beijing West Railway Station) and Heibei (Heibei Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport & Qingdao Port) for total 144 hours.
If you will have a stopover in Tianjin by flight or cruise, check the below conditions to see whether you are qualified for 144-Hour TWOV in Tianjin.
To apply transit visa exemption in Tianjin, and then have a layover tour to Beijing from Tianjin, you need to satisfy all the following requirements entirely.
Requirements include:
1. Come from one of the appointed 54 foreign countries, e.g. US, UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, Singapore, Poland, Ireland and so on;
2. Bring a valid passport or international travel document which is valid for at least 3 months;
For those who already got a China Visa, and want to use 144-Hour TWOV to enter this time, please tell the immigration officer your request when applying at port of entry.
3. Take a ticket leaving China via Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region within confirmed seat and date (within 144 hours);
You should prepare e-ticket or paper ticket before arrival, because it will be checked by the border immigration staff when applying 144-Hour TWOV.
*Present flight or cruise ticket if you will directly exit via Tianjin.
*Present flight, curise or train ticket if you will leave from Beijing.
*Present flight or cruise ticket if leaving from Hebei.
The visa-free policy is aimed at international transiting, so a transit route is required. A standard route must be country/region A --> Tianjin (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) --> country/region B .
5. Enter Tianjin via one of two ports in Tianjin, exit via one of the 7 ports in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region.
Entry & Exit Ports in Tianjin (2): Tianjian Binhai International Airport (天津滨海国际机场, IATA: TSN), Tianjin International Cruise Home Port (天津国际邮轮母港).
Tianjin’s 144-Hour TWOV is specially applicable in the above two ports. When leaving, it’s free to choose from any of the specified 6 ports in Beijing-Tianjin-Heibei Region.
Useful Links:
How to Get to & around Tianjin / Tianjin Airport & Flights / Tianjin Cruise Port
A Valid Orginal Passport
E-ticket Leaving Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region
Tianjin Binhai International Airport
At present, Tianjin’s 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit only applies to citizens from certain 54 foreigner countries in 4 continents in the world. US, UK, Australian, Canada, New Zealand are included. Others not on the list are not qualified to apply 144-Hour TWOV in Tianjin, so better obtain a China Transit Visa (G Visa) when transiting or get a regular China Tourist Visa (L Visa) to tour Tianjin, Beijing and else places in mainland China.
| Continent | Number | Transit Visa Free Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 39 |
Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (24): Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. Other Countries (15): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco and Belarus. |
| America | 6 | United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the Republic of Chile. |
| Oceania | 2 | Australia, New Zealand. |
| Asia | 6 | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar. |
Attention:
1.) Nationality is merely one of the major preconditions to apply the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Tianjin. The immigration officer will decide to if permit your visa-free entry on specific circumstance.
2.) Your application would be refused if your passport is valid less than 3 months, or you had illegal stay and bad record of previous visit in China.
Useful Links:
- Download the full visa free countries list in jpg format
- How to Get A China Transit Visa
- How to Get a Visa for China: Requirements, Application Process, Fees & Tips
1. About Travel Route
Some qualified air/curise routes examples:
By Cruise: South Korea/Japan --> Tianjin --> Beijing --> Singapore
By Flight: Seoul (South Korea) --> Tianjin --> Beijing --> Bangkok (Thailand)
2. About Stay Area
The good point is that, though you enter mainland China from Tianjin, you are permitted to stay and visit Tianjin, Beijing and any city in Hebei Province. However, as regulated, it’s not allowed to travel to cities outside the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region.
Attractions you can visit:
● Huangyaguan Great Wall, Five Great Avenues, Tianjin Ancient Culture Street and all sites in Tianjin.
● Mutianyu, Badaling Great Walls, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Beijing Hutongs and all places in Beijing.
● Jinshanling Great Wall, Shanhaiguan Great Wall and all spots in Hebei Province.
3. About Visa-Free Duration of Stay
Once get a Temporary Entry Permit at the entry port, you may stay for no longer than 144 hours. The time starts counting from 00:00 the day after arrival, not from your arrival date or the issuance date of the permit.
4. About Port of Entry and Exit
You can only apply the 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption in Tianjin Binhai International Airport or Tianjin International Cruise Home Port. After finishing tour, you may leave from one of the 7 appointed ports in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region.
Useful Links: Tianjin Transportation Guide | Tianjin Travel Maps
5. About Ticket Booking
Make sure you hold a valid ticket leaving Tianjin or Beijing, Hebei Province within 144 hours. Connecting tickets or separate tickets are both available.
Not sure your travel route is eligible or not? You can contact us to confirm, of course, we will also give guide for a full China Visa Application. When you intend to overstay and travel to other destinations in China, you can seek help from local Public Security Bureau.
Foreign Curise Tourists Transit in Tianjin
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Administrative Map (click to enlarge)
Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
Step 1 - When boarding, inform the air or ship company staff that you will apply 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Tianjin. They will deliver your request to the immigration authority at border ports before arrival.
Step 2 - Upon arrival, fill in the Arrival Card (blue version) at specialized desk, and then follow guide to 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption counter. Complete 144-Hour TWOV Application Form, and then queue up for submission. Later, submit passport, departing ticket and travel related materials to the officer.
Step 3 - After verification and checking, the immigration officer will grant you a Temporary Entry Permit stamped on your passport.
The permit will mark important information of the TWOV, including the area of stay, stay period and port of entry.
Step 4 - Must make temporary accommodation registration to local police station after checking-in within 24 hours.
If you stay in hotel, the hotel will help you register, you need to keep the registeration slip well. If stay at friend’s house, you or your host shall make the registration at the local police station in person.
Foreigner Were Applying 144-Hour TWOV at Tianjin Port
China Temporary Entry Permit
(click to enlarge)
Tianjin, a close neighbor and gateway city to Beijing, is famous as one of China’s four direct-controlled municipalities as well as the biggest port city and costal city in Northern China. Except featured local culture, history, folk art and cuisine exploration in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, transit passengers get good opportunity to fulfill long dreamed Great Wall Hiking Tour in Tianjin, Beijing or Hebei. What to do during the 6-day long layover? Find useful trip planning ideas below.
The Ferris Wheel - Eye of Tianjin
Five Great Avenues
Tianjin Layover Tours - Travel in Tianjin 1 to 3 Days
Whether you are an air traveler or cruise passenger, a quick trip to Tianjin without visa is always a good idea to catch a glimpse of typical culture and history of Northern China. 1 to 3 days are suitable to visit major landmarks of Tianjin. For one day trip, the Great Wall at Huangya Pass (a World Cultural Heritage property of over 1,000 years' history) is the top recommended. With more time, you’re suggested to visit Five Great Avenues, Italian Style Street, St Joseph Cathedral to view architectures of assembled Chinese-European styles. The Ferris Wheel - Eye of Tianjin is another highlight you can’t miss at night.
Want to visit more attractions and attend unique local activities in Tianjin? You can contact us, tell us your interests and travel ideas, we will try our best to plan a perfect itinerary for you.
Useful Tianjin Travel Guide:
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● Top Things to Do in Tianjin /
Featured Activities in Tianjin /
Hotels in Tianjin /
Tianjin to Great Wall
Most Popular Tianjin Tours:
Travel from Tianjin to Beijing (3~6 Days)
Transferring from Tianjin to tour Beijing is the most popular travel route foreigners choose after entry from Tianjin. Firstly, you can spend 1 or 2 days on discovering essences of Tianjin. Then take a super fast intercity high speed bullet train from Tianjin to Beijing within 40 minutes’ journey. Next, you may enjoy a classic Beijing visa-free layover tour, visiting the famous Mutianyu, or Badaling Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and other spots or events to feel the magnificent capital city.
Once the stopover tour is over, you can return to Tianjin to exit China, or directly leave from Beijing, where operates much more international flights than Tianjin.
Useful Tianjin & Beijing Travel Guide:
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● Tianjin to Great Walls /
Tianjin Port to Tianjin Railway Station /
Tianjin to Beijing Bullet Trains
● Things to Do in Beijing / Popular Activities in Beijing / Beijing to Tianjin Bullet Trains
Most Popular Tianjin & Beijing Tours:
China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide any support you need for travel to China. No matter you are considering use 144-Hour Visa Free Transit in Tianjin, China or want to get a normal China Visa to visit Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, or more else destinations in mainland China, we are always ready to help, from pre-arrival preparation, application guide, every details required for getting a China Visa to tour service during the trip.
Please feel free to contact us to join in our top popular Tianjin & Beijing tours, or let us customize a once-in-a-lifetime trip to China for you.
Tianjin Travel Guide
Recommended Tours
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
3 Days Beijing Round Trip Highlights Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port
Tianjin International Cruise Port - Beijing - Tianjin City - Tianjin International Cruise Port
5 Days Essence of Tianjin Beijing Tour - East Meets West
Tianjin / Beijing
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