Qingdao Offering 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

With the approval of China s State Council, since January 1, 2019, Qingdao has implemented the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

Release time : 2019-03-11 10:14:27

source : PR Newswire

With the approval of China's State Council, since January 1, 2019, Qingdao has implemented the 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Holders of foreign passports from 53 countries, who can show valid international travel documents and a connecting flight ticket bound for a third country or region with a valid ticket and a set departure date within 144 hours of entry into the country, can enter or exit from Qingdao's airports and seaports and move about within the administrative area of Shandong Province for 144 hours, visa free.

The 144-hour visa-free transit policy implemented in five cities including Qingdao is a further enhancement of the 72-hour visa-free transit policy currently in effect, according to the exit and entry administration of the Shandong provincial public security bureau. Along with the extension of the visa-free stay time from 72 hours to 144 hours, the number of entry and exit ports has also been expanded from being limited to only airports to include both airports and seaports in Qingdao.

Since Qingdao's implementation of the 72-hour visa-free policy for holders of foreign passports from appointed countries in November 16, 2015, the policy has facilitated transit and transfer for foreign passport holders and their ability to move about the province during the allotted timeframe, as well as the ability to conduct business in Shandong province during that time, promoting the use of available services, the socio-economic development of the province and exchanges between Chinese citizens and foreign visitors. With the ongoing development of China's opening-up policies and the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, an increasing number of international transit tourists visit China to engage in business and take in the sights. In order to implement China's overall requirements of deepening reform and opening-up and to further expand the opening-up and facilitate personnel exchanges, the National Immigration Administration