From the 1st December 2013, passport holders of the following 51 countries listed below will be granted a visa-free stay of up to 72 hours while in transit via Capital Airport in Beijing, Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai,Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou and Shuangliu Airport in Chengdu, provided the travelers:

1. Have residency or a valid visa of the third country ; 2. Have onward air ticket with confirmed seats flying directly out of China; 3. Embark and disembark at the same airport within 72 hours; 4. Hold valid international travel documents.

Please be advised that Capital Airport in Beijing, Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou and Shuangliu Airport in Chengdu are the only five entry-exit airports applicable to this policy. Passengers by train or any other vehicles should still apply for a transit visa in advance.

During transit period, all beneficiaries of the policy should have their passports with them all the time and are not permitted to leave the disembarkation city and go to other Chinese cities. Registering at local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival is required if beneficiaries of the policy do not plan to stay overnight in hotels. If the transit period is longer than 72 hours for an irresistible reason or beneficiaries of the policy would like to visit other places beyond the administration area of the disembarkation city, visa is required and can be obtained through the local exit and entry administrative department. Those who fail to comply with the regulation will be regarded as staying in China unlawfully.

These 51 counties are:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, United Kingdom, Irish Republic, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Korean, Japan, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Serbia, Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania.