Use 144h visa-free transit twice

Question

Fly in from Taipei to Shanghai, stay in the region max 144h, and fly out to HK.

Stay a couple days in HK and take a plane to Guangzhou, again stay max 144h in the region, and fly out to Thailand.

Any thoughts or experiences on whether Chinese officials might have objections to making use of the visa-free transit two times in a short period of time like that?

Answer

The 144-hour visa-free transit policy in China allows travelers from eligible countries or regions to stay within designated areas for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa. Your plan involves using this policy twice in a short period: first in Shanghai, then in Guangzhou, with a stopover in Hong Kong in between. While technically permissible, there are several practical points and considerations to keep in mind.

General Policy Considerations

The 144-hour transit is generally allowed for travelers who have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country and will stay within the designated area (e.g., Yangtze River Delta for Shanghai, Guangdong for Guangzhou).
Each entry under the 144-hour policy is treated as a separate visa-free stay. There is no explicit rule forbidding multiple entries within a short period, as long as all conditions are met.
Chinese border officials have the discretion to approve or deny entry, and unusual travel patterns may trigger additional questioning. They typically focus on the purpose of visit, confirmed onward travel, and sufficient accommodation arrangements.

Practical Tips for Using 144-hour Transit Twice

Ensure that you have confirmed onward flights and proof of accommodation for both Shanghai and Guangzhou stays. Officials may ask for these details.
Carry all relevant travel documents and proof of Hong Kong stay between the two entries to demonstrate your travel intentions and itinerary.
Plan for standard immigration questioning. Be prepared to explain your travel plan clearly, including why you are using the 144-hour transit twice in a short period.
Maintain consistent travel patterns: entering one city, leaving the country briefly (Hong Kong counts as outside Mainland China), and re-entering is standard and typically acceptable under policy.

Experience from Other Travelers

Many travelers have successfully used the 144-hour visa-free transit multiple times in different cities within a few weeks, especially when the transit involves leaving Mainland China between entries.
No general reports indicate systemic rejection solely due to using the transit twice, but immigration decisions are always at the discretion of border officials.
Having clear proof of onward travel and accommodation, as well as a reasonable travel itinerary, greatly reduces the risk of objections.

Summary

In your scenario — Taipei → Shanghai (144h) → Hong Kong → Guangzhou (144h) → Thailand — this is generally feasible. Key points are to keep documentation ready, maintain clear travel plans, and allow sufficient time for processing at each entry. While there is no official restriction on using the 144-hour transit twice, Chinese immigration may ask questions, but most travelers in similar situations are allowed entry without problems.

Use 144h visa-free transit twice

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