Exact requirements for each transit visa exemption vary but all can only be used by foreign travellers who are through China between two different countries with onward travel from China occurring within 24, 72, or 144 hours of arrival. The 144-hour visa-free transit policy applies to the following 53 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

To obtain a transit visa exemption, travellers should confirm their eligibility with their local Chinese embassy. After confirmation, travellers must contact their airline prior to travel, which will liaise with the border control officials who ultimately grant the transit visa exemptions after verification.