The 72-hour visa-free transit in China allows foreigners from 53 countries to transit and stay in China for a period of 72 hours without a visa. The 72-hour visa-free transit policy in China has been implemented since January 1, 2013, and in the future, it will be carried out in more countries and cities.

The 72-hour transit visa-free entry is a policy primarily used by China to allow international travelers to explore specific cities without a full visa. In 2026, this policy (often expanded to 144 hours in major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) allows citizens from roughly 54 countries—including the US, UK, Canada, and many EU nations—to enter and stay in a designated "port of entry" region for up to three days. To qualify, you must be in "Transit" from Country A to Country C, with the Chinese city being the middle stop. You must have a confirmed flight ticket to a third country (Hong Kong and Macau count as "third countries" for this purpose) and cannot leave the specific administrative region where you landed. For example, if you land in Shanghai, you can explore the city and neighboring Jiangsu/Zhejiang provinces, but you cannot fly to Beijing. This policy is a "boon" for business travelers and tourists who want to add a "mini-vacation" to their long-haul Asia itinerary without the cost or complexity of a standard Chinese visa application.