Originally Posted by
PLTHOO
Really?? If this is true then we are set to transit through PEK and spend the night in the city.....but every consulate and embassy instruction on visas indicates passengers must have a visa unless "pax is a non-US or British passport holder and may transit for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport". Does this mean that US and British passport holder can transit AND leave the airport.
Anyone with insight on if we can leave the airport, spend the night in Beijing, and not pay the visa fee would be extremely helpful.
Thank you!
I did it in Dec 07. It was before the new terminal opened, and I had to go through immigration. No fees, or Visa required. They simply use a hexagon-shaped stamp on entry rather than the usual oval one. No stamp when you exit China.
Everything may be different now, also because of the Olympics? I'm no expert on Chinese Visas, but here is what Timatic has to say about US Passport holders traveling to Maldives:
Code:
CHINA (PEOPLE'S REP.) (CN)
Visa not required provided:
- continuing to a third country by same/first connecting
aircraft within 24 hours; and
- holding confirmed ticket and documents required for
onward journey.
Leaving the airport transit area is allowed.
Overnight facilities are available outside the airport.
However, and only applicable if arriving at and departing from:
Shanghai Hongqiao or Pu Dong airports:
visa not required provided continuing to a third country
within 48 hours and holding confirmed onward ticket and
all documents required for next destination.
Non-compliance with entry regulations will result in
deportation of passenger by same or returning aircraft.
Fines for the transporting carrier varying between CNY 500.-
and CNY 2,000.- will be levied for each passenger with an
additional fine varying between CNY 5,000.- and CNY 10,000.-.