The State Council General Office recently released a set of measures aimed at boosting tourism and enhancing the quality of the industry. Among these measures is a significant focus on strengthening inbound tourism. The Ministry of Public Security and the State Immigration Administration, PRC have been actively working on implementing regional visa-free policies to make travel more convenient for international visitors.
One of the notable changes is the introduction of the 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign groups entering Guangdong Province from Hong Kong and Macau. Citizens of countries with diplomatic ties with China, organized by authorized travel agencies in Hong Kong or Macau (with groups of 2 persons or more), can now explore nine cities in the Greater Bay Area and Shantou in Guangdong Province for tourism. Ordinary passport holders are allowed visa-free entry for up to 144 hours, with entry and exit being facilitated through designated open ports in cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and more.
Additionally, transit visa exemptions have been extended to citizens of several countries, including Schengen Agreement countries, other European nations, select American countries, and specific countries from Oceania and Asia. For detailed information and guidelines, please refer to the Guangdong General Administration of Customs.
To qualify for the 144-hour transit visa exemption, applicants must meet specific conditions, including holding valid international travel documents, having confirmed connecting flight tickets to a third country or region within 144 hours, and filling out necessary entry documents.
