Does Transit Without Visa for 72-144 hours confuse staff members more than it should?
Mar 6, 2018, 10:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
Does Transit Without Visa for 72-144 hours confuse staff members more than it should?
It seems that every time I fly to China under the transit without visa program, I encounter airline staff and immigration officers who seem befuddled by what I'm doing.
It starts at check in. I hand the staff my passport. They start flipping through looking for my Chinese visa. I stop them. "I don't have a visa for China. I'll be transiting without visa in Beijing for two days. Here's my onward ticket."
A look of panic and confusion crosses their faces. Supervisors are called. People huddle over a monitor pointing or jabbering in Chinese. They tell me that they're not sure that city I am flying to (Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an) is included in the program. It is. Or they tell me they don't know if American passport holders are eligible. We are. More discussions. Phone calls are made. And then finally they say "It's OK."
I land in China. I go to the transit without visa desk. They kind of act like they've never seen a passenger attempt to transit without visa before. My paperwork is scrutinized. Supervisors are consulted. Phone calls are made. I'm made to sit for 15-30 minutes, then they say "It's OK" and I'm allowed to enter China.
Flying out two days later. I check in for my flight from Beijing to Las Vegas. The airline staff starts look through my passport. "Where is your Chinese visa?" "I don't have one."
Panic and confusion. I explain that I am transiting visa free. I show him the stamp. Staff member consults his supervisor. She agrees that it's OK for me to check in for the flight departing China.
Exit immigration. I had no problems on this trip other than the officer briefly asking his supervisor something before letting me leave. In the past I've been held up longer, I don't remember the details.
I realize that it's much easier for an American to enter China without a visa than it is for Chinese folks to enter the USA without a visa. And that the airlines get in trouble if they fly someone to China who isn't authorized to visit. I just wish that Chinese airline staff and immigration officers didn't act like I'm doing something weird or surprising every time I do this.
It starts at check in. I hand the staff my passport. They start flipping through looking for my Chinese visa. I stop them. "I don't have a visa for China. I'll be transiting without visa in Beijing for two days. Here's my onward ticket."
A look of panic and confusion crosses their faces. Supervisors are called. People huddle over a monitor pointing or jabbering in Chinese. They tell me that they're not sure that city I am flying to (Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an) is included in the program. It is. Or they tell me they don't know if American passport holders are eligible. We are. More discussions. Phone calls are made. And then finally they say "It's OK."
I land in China. I go to the transit without visa desk. They kind of act like they've never seen a passenger attempt to transit without visa before. My paperwork is scrutinized. Supervisors are consulted. Phone calls are made. I'm made to sit for 15-30 minutes, then they say "It's OK" and I'm allowed to enter China.
Flying out two days later. I check in for my flight from Beijing to Las Vegas. The airline staff starts look through my passport. "Where is your Chinese visa?" "I don't have one."
Panic and confusion. I explain that I am transiting visa free. I show him the stamp. Staff member consults his supervisor. She agrees that it's OK for me to check in for the flight departing China.
Exit immigration. I had no problems on this trip other than the officer briefly asking his supervisor something before letting me leave. In the past I've been held up longer, I don't remember the details.
I realize that it's much easier for an American to enter China without a visa than it is for Chinese folks to enter the USA without a visa. And that the airlines get in trouble if they fly someone to China who isn't authorized to visit. I just wish that Chinese airline staff and immigration officers didn't act like I'm doing something weird or surprising every time I do this.
Last edited by jphripjah; Jul 17, 2018 at 7:01 am
Mar 6, 2018, 11:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 246
In my nearly 5 years here, I’ve discovered nearly anything outside of normal is troubling. My wife is currently here on a 10 year visa, that is in her old passport. When we go to register her at the police station, they seem really confused by it, and will spend a fare amount of time flipping through the new passport searching for the visa, even after we show them the visa in the old passport.
Last year, for my residence permit, I signed up for the E-channel entrance. I had Chinese boarder guards tell me when I was in line for the e-channel, that I couldn’t use it because I was foreign. I said, let me try, and they were shocked that I was able to enter the country in the e-channel. And when I would check in at a hotel, or register at the police station, they would be confused by my lack of entry stamp.
You get the sense that everyone in the buearacy is programmed for one thing, and they really struggle when there is anything outside the norms.
Last year, for my residence permit, I signed up for the E-channel entrance. I had Chinese boarder guards tell me when I was in line for the e-channel, that I couldn’t use it because I was foreign. I said, let me try, and they were shocked that I was able to enter the country in the e-channel. And when I would check in at a hotel, or register at the police station, they would be confused by my lack of entry stamp.
You get the sense that everyone in the buearacy is programmed for one thing, and they really struggle when there is anything outside the norms.
Mar 7, 2018, 12:45 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
It seems that every time I fly to China under the transit without visa program, I encounter airline staff and immigration officers who seem befuddled by what I'm doing.
It starts at check in. I hand the staff my passport. They start flipping through looking for my Chinese visa. I stop them. "I don't have a visa for China. I'll be transiting without visa in Beijing for two days. Here's my onward ticket."
A look of panic and confusion crosses their faces. Supervisors are called. People huddle over a monitor pointing or jabbering in Chinese. They tell me that they're not sure that city I am flying to (Beijing, China, Xi'an) is included in the program. It is. Or they tell me they don't know if American passport holders are eligible. We are. More discussions. Phone calls are made. And then finally they say "It's OK."
I land in China. I go to the transit without visa desk. They kind of act like they've never seen a passenger attempt to transit without visa before. My paperwork is scrutinized. Supervisors are consulted. Phone calls are made. I'm made to sit for 15-30 minutes, then they say "It's OK" and I'm allowed to enter China.
Flying out two days later. I check in for my flight from Beijing to Las Vegas. The airline staff starts look through my passport. "Where is your Chinese visa?" "I don't have one."
Panic and confusion. I explain that I am transiting visa free. I show him the stamp. Staff member consults his supervisor. She agrees that it's OK for me to check in for the flight departing China.
Exit immigration. I had no problems on this trip other than the officer briefly asking his supervisor something before letting me leave. In the past I've been held up longer, I don't remember the details.
I realize that it's much easier for an American to enter China without a visa than it is for Chinese folks to enter the USA without a visa. And that the airlines get in trouble if they fly someone to China who isn't authorized to visit. I just wish that Chinese airline staff and immigration officers didn't act like I'm doing something weird or surprising every time I do this.
It starts at check in. I hand the staff my passport. They start flipping through looking for my Chinese visa. I stop them. "I don't have a visa for China. I'll be transiting without visa in Beijing for two days. Here's my onward ticket."
A look of panic and confusion crosses their faces. Supervisors are called. People huddle over a monitor pointing or jabbering in Chinese. They tell me that they're not sure that city I am flying to (Beijing, China, Xi'an) is included in the program. It is. Or they tell me they don't know if American passport holders are eligible. We are. More discussions. Phone calls are made. And then finally they say "It's OK."
I land in China. I go to the transit without visa desk. They kind of act like they've never seen a passenger attempt to transit without visa before. My paperwork is scrutinized. Supervisors are consulted. Phone calls are made. I'm made to sit for 15-30 minutes, then they say "It's OK" and I'm allowed to enter China.
Flying out two days later. I check in for my flight from Beijing to Las Vegas. The airline staff starts look through my passport. "Where is your Chinese visa?" "I don't have one."
Panic and confusion. I explain that I am transiting visa free. I show him the stamp. Staff member consults his supervisor. She agrees that it's OK for me to check in for the flight departing China.
Exit immigration. I had no problems on this trip other than the officer briefly asking his supervisor something before letting me leave. In the past I've been held up longer, I don't remember the details.
I realize that it's much easier for an American to enter China without a visa than it is for Chinese folks to enter the USA without a visa. And that the airlines get in trouble if they fly someone to China who isn't authorized to visit. I just wish that Chinese airline staff and immigration officers didn't act like I'm doing something weird or surprising every time I do this.
In my nearly 5 years here, I’ve discovered nearly anything outside of normal is troubling. My wife is currently here on a 10 year visa, that is in her old passport. When we go to register her at the police station, they seem really confused by it, and will spend a fare amount of time flipping through the new passport searching for the visa, even after we show them the visa in the old passport.
Last year, for my residence permit, I signed up for the E-channel entrance. I had Chinese boarder guards tell me when I was in line for the e-channel, that I couldn’t use it because I was foreign. I said, let me try, and they were shocked that I was able to enter the country in the e-channel. And when I would check in at a hotel, or register at the police station, they would be confused by my lack of entry stamp.
You get the sense that everyone in the buearacy is programmed for one thing, and they really struggle when there is anything outside the norms.
You get the sense that everyone in the buearacy is programmed for one thing, and they really struggle when there is anything outside the norms.
Mar 7, 2018, 5:27 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
I land in China. I go to the transit without visa desk. They kind of act like they've never seen a passenger attempt to transit without visa before. My paperwork is scrutinized. Supervisors are consulted. Phone calls are made. I'm made to sit for 15-30 minutes, then they say "It's OK" and I'm allowed to enter China.
.
You seem to infer that you do this often, then why not just get a visa?
Mar 7, 2018, 6:59 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
That might be your impression but I think that you have a wrong impression. Tens of thousands of people use this exemption. Last time that I walked pass the TWOV desk at PEK, there must have been 20 to 30 people in the waiting line. so the staff is certainly familiar with something that they do all day long. You can't blame them for being thorough in their work.
You seem to infer that you do this often, then why not just get a visa?
You seem to infer that you do this often, then why not just get a visa?
Maybe there were 20 to 30 people in line because staff was taking 15 minutes on every passenger for something that shouldn't be so complicated.
I don't do it often. I visit China every few years for a few days. But I've done it enough to gain the impression that transiting without visa involves more drama and waiting around and consulatation with supervisors than getting an actual visa on arrival in most countries.
Mar 9, 2018, 2:38 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
Maybe there were 20 to 30 people in line because staff was taking 15 minutes on every passenger for something that shouldn't be so complicated.
I don't do it often. I visit China every few years for a few days. But I've done it enough to gain the impression that transiting without visa involves more drama and waiting around and consulatation with supervisors than getting an actual visa on arrival in most countries.
I don't do it often. I visit China every few years for a few days. But I've done it enough to gain the impression that transiting without visa involves more drama and waiting around and consulatation with supervisors than getting an actual visa on arrival in most countries.
As for arrival in China, I agree. What used to be a really simple and straightforward procedure - a mater of a minute or two - has now turned into something which can take five minutes or 15. I've had officers flip through every page of my passport and hold each page up to the light. And then another officer come and join in and do the whole thing again. And the next visit all that's been required is tapping my onward flight details into the computer and I'm on my way. There doesn't seem to be any way to tell which path your entry will take.
For non-US passport holders however TWOV can represent big money savings and two trips to the local China visa office (to drop off and then collect). So the a 15 minute wait and $0 is a huge advantage. Although it doesn't necessarily feel like that after a delayed flight arriving at 2am
Mar 9, 2018, 7:50 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Trenton NJ
Programs: UA Gold MM, Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz President’s Circle
Posts: 3,668
Check-in can take some time with TWOV. Nothing we can really do about that except arrive at the airport with plenty of time in case there are any issues.
As for arrival in China, I agree. What used to be a really simple and straightforward procedure - a mater of a minute or two - has now turned into something which can take five minutes or 15. I've had officers flip through every page of my passport and hold each page up to the light. And then another officer come and join in and do the whole thing again. And the next visit all that's been required is tapping my onward flight details into the computer and I'm on my way. There doesn't seem to be any way to tell which path your entry will take.
For non-US passport holders however TWOV can represent big money savings and two trips to the local China visa office (to drop off and then collect). So the a 15 minute wait and $0 is a huge advantage. Although it doesn't necessarily feel like that after a delayed flight arriving at 2am
As for arrival in China, I agree. What used to be a really simple and straightforward procedure - a mater of a minute or two - has now turned into something which can take five minutes or 15. I've had officers flip through every page of my passport and hold each page up to the light. And then another officer come and join in and do the whole thing again. And the next visit all that's been required is tapping my onward flight details into the computer and I'm on my way. There doesn't seem to be any way to tell which path your entry will take.
For non-US passport holders however TWOV can represent big money savings and two trips to the local China visa office (to drop off and then collect). So the a 15 minute wait and $0 is a huge advantage. Although it doesn't necessarily feel like that after a delayed flight arriving at 2am
Mar 10, 2018, 11:42 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 71
I am currently having a lot of anxiety about the entire process! I booked a flight to PEK and then circumstances changed and I booked na onward flight from PEK-ICN on a different airline.
I know it all falls within TWOV, but I'm so nervous about Delta giving me a hard time at checkin to PEK without a Chinese visa, and then anxious that they'll give me a hard time once at PEK. And then the anxiety continues when leaving ICN to PEK on my way to DTW.
Has anyone had the opposite experience as the OP?
I know it all falls within TWOV, but I'm so nervous about Delta giving me a hard time at checkin to PEK without a Chinese visa, and then anxious that they'll give me a hard time once at PEK. And then the anxiety continues when leaving ICN to PEK on my way to DTW.
Has anyone had the opposite experience as the OP?
Mar 10, 2018, 3:48 pm
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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Posts: 3,623
Don't be anxious. It all gets sorted, and it's kind of funny to see them freak out when you don't have a Chinese visa. They figure it out though. You'll be fine.
When you arrive in Peking, you go to the big blue desk marked 72-144 hour visa free transit in the far back corner of the arrivals hall. Along the wall will be arrival cards, you fill out the blue and white card for people transiting without visa (people with visas fill out the standard yellow card).
Just expect some commotion at the check in desk and the immigration desk and don't fret about it, it's normal.
When you arrive in Peking, you go to the big blue desk marked 72-144 hour visa free transit in the far back corner of the arrivals hall. Along the wall will be arrival cards, you fill out the blue and white card for people transiting without visa (people with visas fill out the standard yellow card).
Just expect some commotion at the check in desk and the immigration desk and don't fret about it, it's normal.
Mar 14, 2018, 4:51 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 353
I have a 2 years Q2 visa, the longest valid one I can get in Germany.
Jul 17, 2018, 2:30 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Thai, Hyatt
Posts: 49
Not really a saving. I used this back in March and it was a real hassle, similar to what the OP stated. I'm Australian and flew out of Melbourne to Wuhan and had hassles at check-in (couldn't find Wuhan on the city list, said I couldn't travel on a return ticket which I wasn't anyway) and hassles at immigration in Wuhan. They probably don't get many people using TWOV in Wuhan to be fair, since there are so few flights out to other countries.
Jul 19, 2018, 10:08 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
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