Current China Entry policy
Jun 12, 2023 | 1:11 am
#2986
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 9,605
This policy was previously only applicable to tour groups but has now been expanded to individual travel as well
https://www.china-briefing.com/news/.../#hainanHeader
Seems you're correct - this is possible now.
https://www.china-briefing.com/news/.../#hainanHeader
Seems you're correct - this is possible now.
Jun 13, 2023 | 8:42 pm
#2987
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TAS
Programs: A3*G, UA 1K
Posts: 9,250
Could anyone confirm (or better yet, have personal experience) if this is correct regarding the visa policy for Hainan?
Nationals of X with a normal passport arriving at Haikou (HAK) or Sanya (SYX) for a maximum stay of 30 days. They must:
- have a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date; and
- have at least 1 unused visa page in the passport; and
- stay only in Hainan province; and
- have a confirmed hotel reservation; and
- have a return/onward ticket for an international flight from Haikou (HAK) or Sanya (SYX).
I've read somewhere that you still need some kind of certificate from a "Hainan based travel agency" but not sure if that's still the case?
The info is from https://www.united.com/en/us/timatic/
Visa Exemptions:
Nationals of X with a normal passport arriving at Haikou (HAK) or Sanya (SYX) for a maximum stay of 30 days. They must:- have a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date; and
- have at least 1 unused visa page in the passport; and
- stay only in Hainan province; and
- have a confirmed hotel reservation; and
- have a return/onward ticket for an international flight from Haikou (HAK) or Sanya (SYX).
I've read somewhere that you still need some kind of certificate from a "Hainan based travel agency" but not sure if that's still the case?
The info is from https://www.united.com/en/us/timatic/
Jun 13, 2023 | 9:08 pm
#2988
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SIN
Programs: KF, MPC, BAEC // Bonvoy, WoH, Honors
Posts: 1,529
Jun 17, 2023 | 5:48 am
#2990
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,486
maybe now, 2 years later, all stations are OK with passport but be prepared for a small hassle outside of bigger cities and busy HSR lines.
Jun 17, 2023 | 7:34 pm
#2991
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: YouTube: @FindingFoodFluency
Posts: 441
Just 2 years ago, I found out the hard way that not all stations or HSR lines allow just a passport. I was so used to just a passport but in Changchun had to go to the ticket office and get a small receipt or a ticket otherwise they wouldnt let me enter the station.
maybe now, 2 years later, all stations are OK with passport but be prepared for a small hassle outside of bigger cities and busy HSR lines.
maybe now, 2 years later, all stations are OK with passport but be prepared for a small hassle outside of bigger cities and busy HSR lines.
Although I did have an irritating time getting a bus ticket from Zhengzhou. I was told to go to security office first, register, and then get a chit which would allow me to buy the ticket. This is from a non-resident foreigner 's perspective.
Jun 17, 2023 | 11:50 pm
#2992
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TAS
Programs: A3*G, UA 1K
Posts: 9,250
Just 2 years ago, I found out the hard way that not all stations or HSR lines allow just a passport. I was so used to just a passport but in Changchun had to go to the ticket office and get a small receipt or a ticket otherwise they wouldnt let me enter the station.
maybe now, 2 years later, all stations are OK with passport but be prepared for a small hassle outside of bigger cities and busy HSR lines.
maybe now, 2 years later, all stations are OK with passport but be prepared for a small hassle outside of bigger cities and busy HSR lines.
Jun 19, 2023 | 6:21 am
#2993
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 33
I can comment on backwater train stations.
You will likely have to do some talking with whoever is manning the national id scanners. I've never had a problem getting through, typically I just show them my passport and they manually open the gate for me... sometimes they have a mobile device they can check your passport number on and sometimes they just chabuduo you through without checking.
Exiting the train stations big or small typically entails the same process since they've put exit scanners in now too.
You will likely have to do some talking with whoever is manning the national id scanners. I've never had a problem getting through, typically I just show them my passport and they manually open the gate for me... sometimes they have a mobile device they can check your passport number on and sometimes they just chabuduo you through without checking.
Exiting the train stations big or small typically entails the same process since they've put exit scanners in now too.
Jun 19, 2023 | 3:28 pm
#2994
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,543
I can comment on backwater train stations.
You will likely have to do some talking with whoever is manning the national id scanners. I've never had a problem getting through, typically I just show them my passport and they manually open the gate for me... sometimes they have a mobile device they can check your passport number on and sometimes they just chabuduo you through without checking.
Exiting the train stations big or small typically entails the same process since they've put exit scanners in now too.
You will likely have to do some talking with whoever is manning the national id scanners. I've never had a problem getting through, typically I just show them my passport and they manually open the gate for me... sometimes they have a mobile device they can check your passport number on and sometimes they just chabuduo you through without checking.
Exiting the train stations big or small typically entails the same process since they've put exit scanners in now too.
Jun 20, 2023 | 12:37 am
#2995
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,285
I was at one station where the gate itself actually accepted a passport.
Of course passports aren't really made for this constant handling, three times on just one train trip.
Of course passports aren't really made for this constant handling, three times on just one train trip.
Jun 20, 2023 | 1:46 am
#2996
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 9,605
Passports are among the most durable items in the world...
Jun 20, 2023 | 2:16 am
#2997
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,325
Jun 20, 2023 | 8:47 am
#2999
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,285
Well, in four trips = 12 gates two months ago, only one gate had a slot that accepted my passport. (A couple more had the slots but didn't work.)
Jun 20, 2023 | 11:09 pm
#3000
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 2MM
Posts: 7,860
Confirming that e-Channel worked at PEK for EXIT (two weeks after signing up).
The attendant did take one look at the length of my nose, and was first wanting to direct me back to the other passport check area. But I insisted and she eventually let me through.
(No pre e-channel passport machines anymore!)
I think my passport has readability issues as it took a few goes to read it - had this happen in other countries too, so not a unique experience.
(They did confiscate my USB car charger, as they felt the +12V tip was too 'weapon like'. 😃
Will be interesting to see if it works on entry in a month or so.
The attendant did take one look at the length of my nose, and was first wanting to direct me back to the other passport check area. But I insisted and she eventually let me through.
(No pre e-channel passport machines anymore!)
I think my passport has readability issues as it took a few goes to read it - had this happen in other countries too, so not a unique experience.
(They did confiscate my USB car charger, as they felt the +12V tip was too 'weapon like'. 😃
Will be interesting to see if it works on entry in a month or so.