Things to note before your 144-hour visa-free stay in China

You are required to abide by all Chinese laws and regulations during your stay, and you cannot leave the permitted scope of travel or exceed the permitted duration of the transit.

　　If you stay in a hotel during your visit, the hotel will register your stay with the local police station using your passport or another international travel document (you will not be required to go to the police station in person, the hotel will only require to take a copy of your passport when you check in). Note that due to this requirement, not all hotels are able to host foreign guests. It is therefore best to check with the hotel in advance to ensure that they can accept foreign guests.

　　If you stay in another place, such as at a friend or family member’s home, you and your host must go and register at the local public security bureau (usually a police station, but it could also be a service station for foreigners) within 24 hours of your arrival. You will need to bring your passport, as well as your host’s housing contract (proof of address) and identification card. Online channels exist in some cities such as Shanghai. In practice, many foreign travelers may simply skip this step due as it can be cumbersome, but this could lead to unexpected problems in some cases, such as when the foreign traveler has to deal with police officers during some formal procedures.

　　In the event of an unexpected incident that means you need to stay beyond 144 hours, then you must apply to the immigration department at the local public security bureau for a corresponding stay permit.

　　You will be liable for punishment by the immigration authorities or border forces if you leave the permitted area, overstay the entry permit duration, leave China via an exit port other than the ones designated, or fail to register your accommodation in accordance with law

　　China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy is an excellent option for short stopovers in China when travelling to a third country. With the many different ports available, you can now explore multiple areas of the country by choosing an entry port that covers the places you want to go to without having to apply for a tourist visa.