144-hour visa-free transit policy a hit with foreigners

More than 140,000 foreigners have enjoyed the 144-hour visa-free transit policy at ports in Shanghai since the policy was adopted on January 30, 2016, the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection said Jan 31.

Among them, nearly 130,000 foreigners enjoyed the policy through Pudong International Airport, accounting for around 90 percent of the total.

This year, more than 6,600 foreigners had enjoyed the 144-hour visa-free transit policy by 1pm on January 30 through Shanghai ports, rising nearly 50 percent over the same period last year.

The 144-hour visa-free transit policy was introduced to allow citizens from 51 countries (since increased to 53 countries) to get into China through any ports of entry in Shanghai, including Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai railway ports, as well as airports in Nanjing and Hangzhou.

They have to provide valid international travel documents and onward air, vessel or train tickets to a third country or region with confirmed date within 144 hours upon arrival.

The policy attracted nearly 54,000 visitors to go through Shanghai ports in 2018, accounting for over half of the total number of foreigners enjoying the 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit in China.

Since the annual travel rush for the Chinese New Year began on January 21, Shanghai ports have handled 1.26 million exit-and-entry passengers, including 1.07 million at Pudong International Airport and 90,000 at Hongqiao International Airport.