May 2, 2014, 10:31 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: moondog

Note: This thread pertains only to entering the People's Republic of China (PRC, mainland China) as a transit passenger. For information on obtaining regular PRC visas in advance of arrival, please see the China Visas Master Thread.

Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and Transit Without Visa (entry permit)

China offers multiple options to facilitate direct transits where you are flying from country A to country B, via China. The type of entry procedure varies depending on the city (or cities) you will transit, and the length of time you will spend in China.

The information in this wiki was last updated in August 2023.

Disclaimers/Warnings

This thread is based on currently available published information, supplemented by the experiences of actual travelers. A number of us are happy to review prospective itineraries, and can often identify red flags that might warrant attention. That having been said, complying with stated policy does not guarantee entry.

Transit Without Visa / Transit Without Visa (entry permit)

If you are visiting a single city in China, you will be offered a 24-hour transit without visa (TWOV). If you are visiting multiple cities within China you may be offered at 24-hour TWOV (entry permit). This latter category replaces the previous 'transit visa on arrival' which was offered briefly in 2018.

While TWOV is pretty much a guarantee, if your transit is less than 12 hours, and you don't need to go landside in order to pull it off (e.g. PEK T3 to T2 requires this), you might not be granted an entry permit, especially in the case of day time connections.

If you hold one of 53 passports, you may be eligible for a longer stay in China, either 72 hours or 144 hours. Admission to China will be an entry permit under the transit without visa program (TWOV).

In all cases, China must be a transit en route to a third country. Your immediate flight out of China cannot be back to the same country you flew into China from.

Restrictions and warnings

There are considerations and potential complexities with each of the entry methods above. These include:

city specific restrictions, for example TWOV with entry permit may not be offered if you have a short stay in CAN or PVG (under 8 hours), or if you can't provide hotel reservations.
restrictions based on your passport/nationality
countries you may have previously visited (for example an entry stamp to Turkey may preclude you being offered TWOV)
the time from which your stay is measured (either actual arrival time, or 00:01 the day after you arrive)
the region you will be visiting (some regions are 72 hours, some 144 hours)

The information below represents a combination of the official rules (contained in TIMATIC) and anecdotal feedback from passengers who have recently used TWOV and reported any specific problems (for example, Turkey entry stamps, or refusal to allow entry if a stay is considered 'too short').

Note: other 'visas on arrival' mentioned in TIMATIC are unlikely to ever be available to most passengers.

The main problem using TWOV is the potential for misunderstanding of the rules by airline check-in staff. Some airline staff believe a visa is mandatory for China, no exceptions. These misunderstandings are generally resolved at the airport, but you should allow plenty of time. In rare cases where passengers missed their flights, the airlines have provided full compensation (that is, they have acknowledged the rules and guidance on which this thread is based are correct and that their staff have erred).

Current known issues

NOTE 1: Effective end August 2017, 24 hour TWOV involving travel through CAN may be subject to restrictions. The situation is changing on a daily basis. Please check the last few posts of this thread for the latest information.

Direct international air-to-air connections are permitted at CAN. Uncertainty remains around whether you are able to leave the airport during longer transits. Passengers with passports only eligible for 24-hour TWOV may be required to remain within the transit area regardless of how long they are in transit. Passenger who would otherwise also be eligible for 72-hour TWOV may be able to leave the airport if their transit exceeds 8 hours (but is less than 24 hours). Passengers with less than 8 hours needing to collect bags in CAN to transfer airlines may not be permitted to enter China for the purpose of collecting bags and re-checking. You may be required to contact the operating airline of your onward flight to collect your bags on your behalf and re-tag them to your final destination.
NOTE 2: Effective February 2018, 24 hour TWOV involving travel through Shanghai may be subject to restriction. The rules are not clear and you should check the last few posts/pages of this thread for the latest information.

TWOV is still operational in Shanghai however new rules are supposedly in operation - at least at PVG - limiting the ability for passengers to enter China and leave the airport. Passengers with: (1) short stays (under four hours), (2) same-day transfers (more than four hours, but with an onward flight on the same day as arriving), (3) a transit within 24 hours but without confirmed hotel accommodation, and/or (4) who do not need to collect bags and recheck for their onward flight may all be affected. Passengers in any one of these categories may be directed to the transfer line with direct air-side transfer (not allowed to enter China/leave the airport).
NOTE 3: 24 hour TWOV is may not available to passengers travelling on the following passports: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Syria, Saudia Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. See the 24-hour TWOV section below for more details. The most recent version of TIMATIC appears to have lifted this exemption for all cities except XMN. But there are no recent reports to confirm this.

NOTE 4: passengers seeking TWOV in China who have previously visited Turkey (entry stamps) may be refused entry.

WARNING for passengers flying American Airlines (AA) on itineraries USA-China-USA: in cases where either your outbound or inbound to China has a short transit in a third country (for example LAX-xNRT-PVG-LAX, or LAX-PVG-xHKG-LAX), you may be denied boarding as AA will insist you need a Chinese visa. This is incorrect and AA have admitted liability in cases where boarding has been refused in these circumstances. Despite this there have been several recent reports where AA check-in staff do not interpret TIMATIC correctly and instead apply IATA ticketing rules (that is, that the intermediate transit must instead be a stopover of longer than 24 hours to make it count as a 'third country'). You are advised to arrive at your embarkation point with plenty of time in case this becomes an issue.

Key Points

To avail yourself of transit provisions, you MUST be travelling from country A, via China, to Country B (a 'third country').

-Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are treated as separate countries in this case (special provisions apply to Shenzhen, where travel to the SARs is not permitted for TWOV purposes)

-flights in your itinerary that don't involve China are completely irrelevant (e.g. if you are flying BOS-ORD-PEK-HKG-BOS, focus solely on ORD-PEK-HKG)

-some airline employees misunderstand TWOV procedures, so be prepared to advise them that China is the transit country
*in the event that the airline people at your small airport are clueless, focus on getting to the larger airport, and take matters up there

-print the following
*TIMATIC rules applicable to your situation (e.g. Japan-China-USA) link
*receipt for onward flight (from China)
*your China hotel reservation (this is not an official requirement, and you can stay anywhere you please after the fact, but having a hotel reservation in hand can speed things up)

-on arrival in your China POE, it helps to have your onward ticket and hotel reservations in hand

Overview

China offers four distinct opportunities for transit passengers to enter the PRC without a visa - a 24 hour TWOV (transit without visa, including a separate TWOV with attached entry permit), 72 hour TWOV and 144 hour TWOV

Which one you are eligible for depends on whether you have one or more stops in China, the city or cities you intend to visit, and the passport you travel on.

Note: special conditions apply for Urumqi (URC) – see below.

24-Hour TWOV

NOTE: please see warnings, restrictions, and 'current known issues' sections above for CAN, Shanghai, and passports excluded from using TWOV.

In circumstances where you are eligible for TWOV, the 24-hour period is measured from your first scheduled arrival into China, until your scheduled departure from China.

Note: special provisions apply to Urumqi (URC), where you are permitted to stay in transit for a maximum of 2 hours.

You should also read the section 'other important considerations' below.

New rules became effective from September 2018. These rules govern when you can leave the airport, which cities offer TWOV, which routes restrict TWOV, and which nationalities are eligible.

These new rules are:

24-hour TWOV - entry permit (multiple stops allowed)

Passengers with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket to a third country within 24 hours can obtain an entry permit on arrival. They must have documents required for the next destination. When passengers have obtained an entry permit, they can have multiple transit stops within China (People's Rep).

Excludes holders of BNO, Hong Kong/Macao (SARs-China) or Republic of China (Chinese Taipei) passports.

Exclusions: does not apply at Fuzhou (FOC), Huangshan (TXN), Mudanjiang (MDG), Shenzhen (SZX), Urumqi (URC) and Yanji (YNJ). Does not apply to nationals of Syria transiting through Guangzhou (CAN). Does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Yemen transiting through Xiamen (XMN).

24-hour TWOV - other

Available to passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 24 hours. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.

Exclusions: this TWOV facility does not apply at Fuzhou (FOC), Huangshan (TXN), Mudanjiang (MDG), Shenzhen (SZX), Urumqi (URC) and Yanji (YNJ) or to nationals of Syria through Guangzhou (CAN).

This TWOV facility does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Yemen transiting through Xiamen (XMN).

This TWOV facility does not apply to holders of BNO, Hong Kong/Macao (SARs-China) or Republic of China (Chinese Taipei) passports (see below).

24-hour TWOV Hong Kong/Macao passport holders

Passengers with a Hong Kong (SAR China) or Macau (SAR China) passport transiting through Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai (PVG) or Beijing (PEK) with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 24 hours. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport.

TWOV Urumqi (URC)

Passengers transiting through Urumqi (URC) with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 2 hours. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.

Exclusions: nationals of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey and Yemen.

Also excluded are holders of BNO, Republic of China (Chinese Taipei), Hong Kong/Macao (SARs-China) passports.

Note: eligible passport holders may also be able to obtain a 24-hour TWOV (with entry permit) if they have multiple stops within China in addition to Urumqi.

24 hour TWOV Shenzhen (new, September 2018)

Passengers transiting through Shenzhen (SZX) with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket within 24 hours to a third country can obtain an entry permit on arrival. They must have documents required for the next destination.

When passengers have obtained an entry permit, they can have multiple transit stops within China (People's Rep)

Exclusions: does not apply when passengers are traveling to Hong Kong (SAR China) or Macao (SAR China).

72-Hour TWOV

72 Hour TWOV: available in selected cities, and only available if you fly non-stop into and out of China (no transits, ‘technical stops’ or connections are allowed inside China).

Passport holders from select countries are eligible for this scheme. Check your eligibility against the TIMATIC excerpt at the end of this wiki.

The number of cities offering 72 hour TWOV continues to expand slowly and the table below will be updated once cities appear in TIMATIC.

The 72 hour period is measured differently depending on which city you transit as outlined in the table below.

Caution: Most airline staff rely on TIMATIC to determine if you can board the aircraft. If the city you wish to fly to does not appear in TIMATIC, you may be refused boarding even if the city states it has officially launched 72-hour TWOV. Cities which fall into this category are listed separately in the table below.

Quote:

72-hour TWOV – time measured from 00:01 the day after you arrive

A number of cities count the commencement time for TWOV from 00:01 the day after you arrive.

These cities are: Changsha (CSX), Chengdu (CTU), Chongqing (CKG), Guangzhou (CAN), Qingdao (TAO), Wuhan (WUH), Xi'an (XIY) and Xiamen (XMN)

(note: Hangzhou (HGH), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Tianjin (TSN) (have now been moved to the 144-hour TWOV category)

72-hour TWOV – time based on scheduled arrival time

Other cities are 'up to' 72 hours based on the scheduled arrival time of your inbound flight. You must have a departure time no later than 72 hours from the time you were scheduled to land. (If your flight lands early the time is measured from the time the flight was scheduled to land.)

These cities are: Guilin (KWL), Kunming (KMG), Harbin (HRB)

Prospective cities offering 72-hour TWOV

Some cities may advertise the intended availability of 72-hour TWOV however they may not yet appear in TIMATIC. You may be refused boarding as airline staff will usually rely on TIMATIC in deciding whether you are eligible to fly to – and enter – China. These cities will be moved into the appropriate category above once they are in TIMATIC.

Movements of travelers who qualify for 72-hour TWOV are restricted to the city/region of arrival. This limitation varies from city to city, but generally travelers are required to remain within about 100 miles of the arrival airport.

You should also read the section 'other important considerations' below.

144-Hour TWOV

Commencing 30 January 2016 a number of cities, grouped in three areas, are offering 144-hour TWOV.

Passport holders from select countries are eligible for this scheme. Check your eligibility against the TIMATIC excerpt at the end of this wiki.

Similar to 72-hour TWOV, these cities will count the commencement time as 00:01 the day after you arrive.

These cities are:

area 1: Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing Lukou (NKG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou (Baoshan) International Cruise Terminal or Shanghai Railway Station

and

area 2: Beijing (PEK), Tianjin (TSN), Shijiazhuang (SJW), Beijing West Railway Station, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port or Qinhuangdao Sea Port.

and

area 3: Dalian (DLC) and Shenyang (SHE)

and

area 4: Guangdong Province -- note: we will update this section after we get a chance to review the new sections in TIMATIC, which are a bit confusing, but the gist of it is that you can enter China in Guangdong by air (only CAN, SWA, and SZX), travel throughout the province during the course of 144 hours, and depart from a much longer list of airports and land borders, but you can't depart for HK or Macau if you arrive at SZX.

Movements of travelers who qualify for 144-hour TWOV are more generous than those offered for 72-hour TWOV, allowing travel between the cities (and provinces) within each of the three separate areas participating in the 144-hour program (that is, you can arrive and/or depart from any city or terminal listed within areas 1, 2 or 3 outlined above). However, travel between the three grouped areas is not permitted and requires a regular visa (that is, you can not arrive in one of the areas and depart from any other than the area in which you arrived).

You should also read the section 'other important considerations' below.

Other Important Considerations

• The TWOV rules apply primarily to air travel but 144-hour TWOV variants are extended to select rail and cruise ship terminals. See the respective sections of this wiki for full details. .

• Passengers must have confirmed onward tickets to a third country (not the PRC, and not the country from which they arrived).

• Except for 24 hour TWOV (with entry permit), passengers must fly non-stop to/from their destination in China using two different countries. For this context, the SARs of Hong Kong and Macau are considered third countries, as is Chinese Taipei/Taiwan/Republic of China/Taiwan Province.

• Duration of stop in third country is irrelevant (e.g., LAX-PVG-NRT-LAX is compliant, even if NRT stop is for only a few hours).

• Travelers making intermediate stops within China, even on the same flight number, are not eligible for 72/144-hour TWOV (the 24-hour TVOA rule is still valid). All major Chinese airlines have flights of this nature (e.g. CA via DLC/XMN/PVG/CTU, CZ via CAN/XMN, MU via KMG/PVG), so be sure to examine them before booking. Travellers can arrive and depart from different airports in different provinces within the same 144-hour TWOV areas.

• Proof of onward flights is required. Flights must be ticketed — reservations alone, without an actual ticket number, will not be sufficient. You may also be asked for proof of hotel booking(s) by immigration at your point of entry to China.

• Onward flight can be on a separate ticket.

• You do not need to be traveling on Chinese carriers for any part of your itinerary.

• Different airlines for inbound/outbound are permitted, even on separate tickets (example: arrive Cathay Pacific, depart Lufthansa is ok).

• Most TWOV problems will occur with the carrier at the country of departure due to airline employees' misunderstanding of the rules. To avoid issues, it is wise to have a copy of the current TIMATIC version of the rules, along with confirmed onward tickets

TIMATIC

Sometimes members request official PRC documentation of these rules, but documentation from TIMATIC is typically more useful, as it's the most up-to-date source, and the one the airlines actually rely upon. Below the asterisks, you can view a complete version of China visa free transit that was in effect when KVS last updated it in 2019. According to KVS, the full (i.e. for all conceivable combinations of nationality, origin, transit city, and destination) text is no longer provided;. This means, individual prospective travelers should make their own queries as their trips draw near and print out (or save to phone) the applicable text along with proof of accommodation and onward transportation.

Here are just a few sites (there are many others, and we don't know which ones are the closest to real time) that host TIMATIC interfaces:
https://www.united.com/en/us/timatic/
https://skyteam.traveldoc.aero/
https://www.emirates.com/english/pla...n_results.aspx

Quote:

February 2016 addition by moondog: There are occasional reports of airline staff at outstations having difficulty with TIMATIC as a credible data source. Beijing bound passengers can contact Beijing Exit/Entry Inspection directly on:

http://www.bjbj.gov.cn/
+86 10 5609 5400
Wechat: bjbianjian

(best to use Chinese whether you call or message them)

The TIMATIC text below is provided by KVS Tool and will only be updated when material changes to the TWOV rules are implemented. As such, travelers are advised to obtain a copy of the most recent TIMATIC data immediately before traveling. Besides KVS Tool and ExpertFlyer, some airline and alliance websites provide TIMATIC interfaces. Try this one: https://skyteam.traveldoc.aero/

IMPORTANT: When looking up China TWOV rules in TIMATIC, be sure to input China as the transit country, not the destination (e.g., origin = USA, destination = Hong Kong, transit country = China). If you don't have the patience to read the complete TIMATIC rules, which cover every contingency under the sun, we suggest using the following link:
https://www.emirates.com/english/pla...n_results.aspx

***************Hasn't been updated since 2019********************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** *******************
Source: [KVS Availability Tool 9.1.8/Diamond - TIMATIC: Country Information: Visa] (requires subscription)

Code:

[Visa Information] China (People's Rep.) (CN) [As of 29 Jul 2019]

TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
- Passengers with a Hong Kong (SAR China) passport transiting
through Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai (PVG) or Beijing (PEK)
with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third
country within 24 hours. They must stay in the international
transit area of the airport and have documents required for
the next destination. (SEE NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a Macao (SAR China) passport transiting
through Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai (PVG) or Beijing (PEK)
with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third
country within 24 hours. They must stay in the international
transit area of the airport and have documents required for
the next destination. (SEE NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers transiting through Urumqi (URC) with a confirmed
onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 2
hours. They must stay in the international transit area of
the airport and have documents required for the next
destination. (SEE NOTE 88975)
- This TWOV facility does not apply to nationals of
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi
Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey and Yemen.
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
British passport with nationality British National
(Overseas)".
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
Macao (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a
third country within 24 hours. They must stay in the
international transit area of the airport and have documents
required for the next destination. (SEE NOTE 88975)
- This TWOV facility does not apply at Fuzhou (FOC),
Huangshan (TXN), Mudanjiang (MDG), Shenzhen (SZX), Urumqi
(URC) and Yanji (YNJ).
- This TWOV facility does not apply to nationals of Syria
transiting through Guangzhou (CAN).
- This TWOV facility does not apply to nationals of
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri
Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Yemen
transiting through Xiamen (XMN).
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
British passport with nationality British National
(Overseas)".
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
Macao (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train
ticket to a third country within 24 hours can obtain an
entry permit on arrival. They must have documents required
for the next destination.
When passengers have obtained an entry permit, they can have
multiple transit stops within China (People's Rep.).(SEE
NOTE 88975)
- This TWOV facility does not apply at Shenzhen (SZX) when
passengers are traveling to Hong Kong (SAR China) or Macao
(SAR China).
- This TWOV facility does not apply at Fuzhou (FOC),
Huangshan (TXN), Mudanjiang (MDG), Urumqi (URC) and Yanji
(YNJ).
- This TWOV facility does not apply to nationals of Syria
transiting through Guangzhou (CAN).
- This TWOV facility does not apply to nationals of
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri
Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Yemen
transiting through Xiamen (XMN).
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
British passport with nationality British National
(Overseas)".
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
- This TWOV facility does not apply to passengers with a
Macao (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates
transiting through Changsha (CSX), Chongqing (CKG) or Xi'an
(XIY) with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third
country within 72 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day
following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen transiting through Changsha (CSX), Chongqing (CKG)
or Xi'an (XIY) with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight
to a third country within 72 hours, starting from 00:01 on
the day following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates
transiting through Guilin (KWL) or Harbin (HRB) with a
confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country
within 72 hours. They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen transiting through Guilin (KWL) or Harbin (HRB)
with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third
country within 72 hours. They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates with a
confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket to a third
country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day
following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing (NKG), Shanghai: Hongqiao (SHA) and
Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal,
Shanghai Wusongkou (Baoshan) International Cruise Terminal
or Shanghai Railway Station; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket
to a third country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on
the day following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing (NKG), Shanghai: Hongqiao (SHA) and
Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal,
Shanghai Wusongkou (Baoshan) International Cruise Terminal
or Shanghai Railway Station; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates with a
confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket to a third
country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day
following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Beijing (PEK), Tianjin (TSN), Shijiazhuang (SJW), Beijing
West Railway Station, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
or Qinhuangdao Sea Port; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket
to a third country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on
the day following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Beijing (PEK), Tianjin (TSN), Shijiazhuang (SJW), Beijing
West Railway Station, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
or Qinhuangdao Sea Port; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates with a
confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country
within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following
the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following two
airports: Dalian (DLC) or Shenyang (SHE); and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a
third country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the
day following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following two
airports: Dalian (DLC) or Shenyang (SHE); and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates
transiting through Chengdu (CTU) with a confirmed onward
ticket for a flight to a third country within 144 hours,
starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry.
They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination; and
- stay in the administrative area of Chengdu Municipality.
(SEE NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen transiting through Chengdu (CTU) with a confirmed
onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 144
hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of
entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination; and
- stay in the administrative area of Chengdu Municipality.
(SEE NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates
transiting through Kunming (KMG) or Wuhan (WUH) with a
confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country
within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following
the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen transiting through Kunming (KMG) or Wuhan (WUH)
with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third
country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day
following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from the same airport; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates with a
confirmed onward air or cruise ticket to a third country
within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following
the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Qingdao (TAO) or Qingdao Port; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen with a confirmed onward air or cruise ticket to a
third country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the
day following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Qingdao (TAO) or Qingdao Port; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates
transiting through Xiamen (XMN) with a confirmed onward air
or cruise ticket to a third country within 144 hours,
starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry.
They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Xiamen (XMN), Xiamen International Cruise Center or Wutong
Passenger Wharf; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen transiting through Xiamen (XMN) with a confirmed
onward air or cruise ticket to a third country within 144
hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of
entry. They must:
- arrive at and depart from one of the following locations:
Xiamen (XMN), Xiamen International Cruise Center or Wutong
Passenger Wharf; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam , Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian
Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates with a
confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket to a third
country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day
following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at one of the following airports: Guangzhou (CAN),
Shantou (SWA) or Shenzhen (SZX); and
- depart from one of the following locations: Guangzhou
(CAN), Meixian (MXZ), Shantou (SWA), Shenzhen (SZX),
Zhanjiang (ZHA), Dongguan Humen Sea Port, Dongguan Railway
Port, Doumen Sea Port, Foshan Gaoming Sea Port, Foshan
Railway Port, Guangzhou Sea Port, Guangzhou Tianhe Railway
Port, Heshan Sea Port, Jiuzhou Sea Port, Jiangmen Sea Port,
Lianhuashan Sea Port, Nansha Sea Port, Rongqi Sea Port,
Shekou Sea Port, Shenzhen Airport Support Sea Port, Shenzhen
Bay Port, Shenzhen Futian Port, Shenzhen Huanggang Port,
Shenzhen Luohu Port, Shenzhen Shatoujiao Port, Shenzhen
Wenjindu Port, Wanchai Sea Port, Wanshan Sea Port, Zhaoqing
Railway Port, Zhongshan Sea Port, Zhuhai Gongbei Port or
Zhuhai Hengqin Port; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket
to a third country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on
the day following the day of entry. They must:
- arrive at one of the following airports: Guangzhou (CAN),
Shantou (SWA) or Shenzhen (SZX); and
- depart from one of the following locations: Guangzhou
(CAN), Meixian (MXZ), Shantou (SWA), Shenzhen (SZX),
Zhanjiang (ZHA), Dongguan Humen Sea Port, Dongguan Railway
Port, Doumen Sea Port, Foshan Gaoming Sea Port, Foshan
Railway Port, Guangzhou Sea Port, Guangzhou Tianhe Railway
Port, Heshan Sea Port, Jiuzhou Sea Port, Jiangmen Sea Port,
Lianhuashan Sea Port, Nansha Sea Port, Rongqi Sea Port,
Shekou Sea Port, Shenzhen Airport Support Sea Port, Shenzhen
Bay Port, Shenzhen Futian Port, Shenzhen Huanggang Port,
Shenzhen Luohu Port, Shenzhen Shatoujiao Port, Shenzhen
Wenjindu Port, Wanchai Sea Port, Wanshan Sea Port, Zhaoqing
Railway Port, Zhongshan Sea Port, Zhuhai Gongbei Port or
Zhuhai Hengqin Port; and
- have documents required for the next destination. (SEE
NOTE 88975)
NOTE 88975: This TWOV facility does not apply when
passengers arrive on a direct flight from USA, Guam or
Northern Mariana Isl. AND depart on a direct flight to USA,
Guam or Northern Mariana Isl. (e.g. JFK - PVG - GUM).
- Warning:
All transiting passengers are subject to a check by
immigration. Passengers in transit must hold passports or
other documents accepted to enter China (People's Rep.).
- Warning:
For TWOV through Chengdu (CTU): before departure, a
notification must be sent by the carrier to immigration at
[email protected] .
- Warning:
For TWOV through Xiamen (XMN) for a maximum stay of 144
hours: before departure, a notification must be sent by the
carrier to immigration.
- Warning:
For TWOV through Changsha (CSX) or Guilin (KWL) for a
maximum stay of 72 hours: before departure, a notification
must be sent by the carrier to immigration.
- Warning:
For TWOV through Dalian (DLC) or Shenzhen (SZX): before
departure, a notification must be sent by the carrier to
immigration.
- Warning:
When passengers have obtained an entry permit, they can have
multiple transit stops within China (People's Rep.).



Visa required.

Visa Exemptions:
- Nationals of China (People's Rep.).
- Passengers with a China (People's Rep.) Travel Document (Lu
Xing Zheng).
- Passengers with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and
Macao Residents (Hui Xiang Zheng, credit-card format) .
- Nationals of China (People's Rep.) with a Travel Permit to
and from Hong Kong and Macao when arriving from Hong Kong or
Macao (SAR China).
- Nationals of China (People's Rep.) with a Public Affairs
Hong Kong and Macao Travel Permit when arriving from Hong
Kong or Macao (SAR China).
- Nationals of China (People's Rep.) with a China (People's
Rep.) Travel Permit to and from Taiwan (Lu Bao Zheng).
- Passengers with a China (People's Rep.) Exit and Entry
Permit, with an endorsement to travel to China (People's
Rep.).
- Nationals of Mauritius for a maximum stay of 60 days.
- Nationals of Bahamas, Barbados, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada,
Qatar and Tonga for a maximum stay of 30 days.
- Nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina and San Marino with a
normal passport for a maximum stay of 90 days.
- Nationals of Belarus, Serbia, Seychelles and United Arab
Emirates with a normal passport for a maximum stay of 30
days.
- Nationals of Mongolia with a normal series E passport for
a maximum stay of 30 days.
- Nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Japan and Singapore with a
normal passport for a maximum stay of 15 days.
- Nationals of Korea (Dem. People's Rep.) with a Passport For
Official Trip".
- Passengers with a British diplomatic passport.
- Passengers with a British official passport containing a
"Visa Exempted" label issued by China (People's Rep.).
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam , Cape Verde, Chile,
Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus,
Equatorial Guinea, Georgia, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia,
Iran, Ireland (Rep.), Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Dem. Rep., Lithuania, Malaysia,
Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova (Rep.), Montenegro,
Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russian
Fed., Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sudan,
Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan,
Ukraine, Venezuela and Viet Nam with a diplomatic passport.
- Nationals of Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Rwanda, San Marino, Switzerland and
Uruguay with a diplomatic passport for a maximum stay of 90
days.
- Nationals of Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech
Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden with a diplomatic
passport for a maximum stay of 90 days. (SEE NOTE 70951)
NOTE 70951: The maximum stay is granted within 180 days.
- Nationals of Eritrea and Morocco with a diplomatic passport
for a maximum stay of 60 days.
- Nationals of Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Korea (Dem.
People's Rep.), Korea (Rep.), Kuwait, Lesotho, Liberia,
Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,
Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sao Tome and
Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa,
South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Togo,
Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates,
Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe with a diplomatic passport for a
maximum stay of 30 days.
- Nationals of Panama with a consular passport for a maximum
stay of 30 days.
- Nationals of Ireland (Rep.) with an official passport if
accompanying a Minister of the Irish government on an
official visit.
- Nationals of Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia,
Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Equatorial
Guinea, Guyana, Jamaica, Lao People's Dem. Rep., Malaysia,
Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Samoa, Serbia,
Slovenia, Sudan, Thailand and Viet Nam with an official
passport.
- Nationals of North Macedonia (Rep.) and Uruguay with an
official passport for a maximum stay of 90 days.
- Nationals of Botswana, Cambodia, Dominica, Korea (Dem.
People's Rep.), Korea (Rep.), Lesotho, Mongolia, Nepal,
Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore,
South Africa, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago,
Tunisia and Zimbabwe with an official passport for a maximum
stay of 30 days.
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bolivia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Colombia, Comoros, Costa
Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia,
Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Lithuania, Moldova (Rep.), Montenegro, Myanmar, Oman,
Poland, Romania, Samoa, Slovakia, Sudan, Tajikistan,
Tanzania, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Venezuela with a
service passport.
- Nationals of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda and San
Marino with a service passport for a maximum stay of 90
days.
- Nationals of Algeria with a service passport for a maximum
stay of 90 days. (SEE NOTE 70951)
NOTE 70951: The maximum stay is granted within 180 days.
- Nationals of Eritrea and Morocco with a service passport for
a maximum stay of 60 days.
- Nationals of Angola, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Israel, Kenya, Korea (Dem. People's
Rep.), Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Philippines, Russian
Fed., Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone,
Suriname, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates
and Zimbabwe with a service passport for a maximum stay of
30 days.
- Nationals of Jordan, Oman, Peru, Sudan and Turkey with a
special passport.
- Nationals of Bahrain with a special passport for a maximum
stay of 90 days.
- Nationals of Egypt, Kuwait, South Sudan and United Arab
Emirates with a special passport for a maximum stay of 30
days.
- Passengers with a residence permit issued by China (People's
Rep.).
- Chinese Taipei passengers with a multiple-entry Mainland
Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (Tai Bao Zheng).
[[TIRULES/R210]]
- Chinese Taipei passengers with a single-entry Mainland
Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (Tai Bao Zheng) for a
maximum stay of 3 months. [[TIRULES/R210]]
- Passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card [[TIRULES/R35]]
valid for travel to "CHN" for a maximum stay of 60 days.
(SEE NOTE 46798) (SEE NOTE 74203) (SEE NOTE 74206) The card
is valid for the countries listed on the back of the card.
NOTE 46798: This does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
NOTE 74203: This does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 74206: This does not apply to passengers with a Macao
(SAR China) passport.
- Passengers with a Laissez-Passer issued by the European
Union [[TIRGL/EEU]] for a maximum stay of 90 days. (SEE NOTE
70951)
NOTE 70951: The maximum stay is granted within 180 days.
- Passengers with a China (People's Rep.) Alien Permanent
Identity Card.
- Nationals of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova (Rep.), Russian
Fed. and Turkmenistan traveling as a tourist as part of a
tour group accompanied by a representative of a tour
operator accredited in both China (People's Rep.) and
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova (Rep.), Russian Fed. or
Turkmenistan for a maximum stay of 30 days.
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep.,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea
(Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia (Rep.), Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Russian Fed., Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and Ukraine with a
normal passport arriving at Sanya (SYX) for a maximum stay
of 30 days. They must have:
- a stamped name list or an invitation letter from a tourist
agent registered in Hainan province and approved by the
National Tourism Administration of China; or
- a confirmed hotel reservation and a return/onward ticket
and present them at the travel agent counter in the arrival
hall prior to immigration.
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen arriving at Sanya (SYX) for a maximum stay of 30
days. They must have:
- a stamped name list or an invitation letter from a tourist
agent registered in Hainan province and approved by the
National Tourism Administration of China; or
- a confirmed hotel reservation and a return/onward ticket
and present them at the travel agent counter in the arrival
hall prior to immigration.
- Nationals of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand with a normal
passport arriving at Sanya (SYX) for a maximum stay of 30
days. They must have a stamped name list or an invitation
letter from a tourist agent registered in Hainan province
and approved by the National Tourism Administration of
China. The list or the letter must have been applied 24
hours prior to arrival.
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep.,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan,
Kazakhstan, Korea (Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands,
New Zealand, North Macedonia (Rep.), Norway, Philippines,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Fed., Serbia, Singapore,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand,
USA and Ukraine with a normal passport arriving at Haikou
(HAK) for a maximum stay of 30 days. They must have a
stamped name list or an invitation letter from a tourist
agent registered in Hainan province and approved by the
National Tourism Administration of China.
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen arriving at Haikou (HAK) for a maximum stay of 30
days. They must have a stamped name list or an invitation
letter from a tourist agent registered in Hainan province
and approved by the National Tourism Administration of
China.
- Nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao
People's Dem. Rep., Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam arriving at Guilin (KWL)
and traveling as part of a tourist group (2 or more people)
to Guilin for a maximum stay of 6 days. Tours must be
organized by a travel agent registered in China (People's
Rep.).
- Tourists traveling in a group organized by a Chinese
international tour operator or registered travel agency for
a maximum stay of 6 days if:
- arriving from Hong Kong or Macao to take a trip to the
Zhujiang Delta in Guangdong province; and
- arriving at/departing from Dongguan (DGM), Guangzhou
(CAN), Huizhou (HUZ), Shantou (SWA), Shenzhen (SZX) or
Zhuhai (ZUH); and
- being a national of a country having diplomatic relations
with China (People's Rep.).

Merchant Seamen:
- Visa required, except for Merchant Seamen who are nationals
of China (People's Rep.).
- Visa required, except for Merchant Seamen who are nationals
of Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei
Darussalam, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Japan, Mauritius, San
Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Tonga and United Arab
Emirates.
- Visa required, except for Merchant Seamen who are nationals
of Poland with a seaman book issued by Poland.
- Visa required, except for Merchant Seamen who are nationals
of Ukraine with a seaman book issued by Ukraine.

Crew Members:
- Visa not required for nationals of:
- United Arab Emirates when traveling on Emirates Airlines.
- Luxembourg.
- Visa is not required for crew members of airlines that have
an agreement with the government of China (People's Rep.)
exempting crew members.
- Crew Members holding a C visa must travel on duty.
Deadheading crew are allowed to enter China (People's Rep.)
to operate commercial/cargo flights out of China (People's
Rep.), if holding:
- a passport, and
- China "C" visa, and
- a company ID, and
- proof of the purpose of travel and trip itinerary, such as
a general declaration (GENDEC) or company letter which has
been submitted to China Inspection and Quarantine.

Military:
- Same regulations as for passengers apply.

Visa Issuance:
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Beijing (PEK), Chengdu (CTU), Fuzhou (FOC),
Guilin (KWL), Haikou (HAK), Jinan (TNA), Ningbo (NGB),
Qingdao (TAO), Sanya (SYX), Shenyang (SHE), Shenzhen (SZX),
Wuhan (WUH), Wuxi (WUX), Xi An (XIY) and Xiamen (XMN) for a
maximum stay of 3 months. They must have 2 passport photos.
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Changchun (CGQ), Changzhou (CZX), Chongqing
(CKG), Dalian (DLC), Guiyang (KWE), Hailar (HLD), Harbin
(HRB), Hefei (HFE), Huangshan (TXN), Kunming (KMG), Nanchang
(KHN), Nanning (NNG), Quanzhou (JJN), Taiyuan (TYN), Tianjin
(TSN) , Urumqi (URC), Weihai (WEH), Xining (XNN), Xuzhou
(XUZ), Yancheng (YNZ), Yanji (YNJ), Yantai (YNT), Yinchuan
(INC) and Zhangjiajie (DYG) for a maximum stay of 3 months.
They must have 2 passport photos.
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Shanghai: Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG) for a
maximum stay of 3 months. The passenger must have never
applied for a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
(Tai Bao Zheng) or the passenger must have an expired
Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (Tai Bao Zheng).
They must have 2 passport photos.
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Hangzhou (HGH) and Nanjing (NKG) for a maximum
stay of 3 months. They must have 2 passport photos.
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Guangzhou (CAN) for a maximum stay of 3 months.
The passenger must
- have never applied for a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan
Residents (Tai Bao Zheng) and have 2 passport photos; or
- have an expired Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan
Residents (Tai Bao Zheng) and have 2 passport photos.
The visa on arrival facility is available from 09:00 until
22:30 and the carrier must obtain a pre-clearance after
informing immigration authorities.
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Zhengzhou (CGO) for a maximum stay of 3 months.
They must have 2 passport photos. The passenger must not
arrive on a direct flight from Chinese Taipei. Before
departure, notification must be sent by the carrier to CGO
immigration.
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Wenzhou (WNZ) for a maximum stay of 3 months.
They must have 2 photos and carriers must notify the WNZ
immigration office before departure.
- Passengers with a national ID card issued by Chinese Taipei
(Taiwan Identity Card) and a Chinese Taipei (on the cover:
Republic of China Taiwan) passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Changsha (CSX) for a maximum stay of 3 months.
They must have 2 photos and carriers must send a telex
notification and a filled application form to the CSX
immigration office before departure.
- Passengers with a Port Visa Notification can obtain a visa
on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days.
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep.,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco,
Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia
(Rep.), Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Fed.,
Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, USA and Ukraine with a normal passport can
obtain a visa on arrival at Haikou (HAK) for a maximum stay
of 15 days. They must have a passport valid for at least 6
months on arrival and 2 passport photos.
Payable in cash and local currency only.
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen can obtain a visa on arrival at Haikou (HAK) for a
maximum stay of 15 days. They must have a passport valid for
at least 6 months on arrival and 2 passport photos.
Payable in cash and local currency only.
- Nationals of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep.,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands,
New Zealand, North Macedonia (Rep.), Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Russian Fed., Serbia, Singapore,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and
Ukraine with a normal passport can obtain a visa on arrival
at Sanya (SYX) for a maximum stay of 15 days. They must
have:
- a passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival; and
- 2 passport photos; and
- a hotel reservation; and
- an invitation letter from Tourist Agency or other
corporations/organizers/sponsors; and
- contact information from a local person; and
- documents that prove the purpose of visit.
Payable in cash only. Local currency or US Dollars are
accepted.
Carriers must notify the SYX immigration office before
departure.
- Nationals of Korea (Rep.) with a normal passport can obtain
a visa on arrival at Sanya (SYX) for a maximum stay of 15
days. Their personal number on the bio-date page does not
start with 125 or 225. They must have:
- a passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival; and
- 2 passport photos; and
- a hotel reservation; and
- an invitation letter from Tourist Agency or other
corporations/organizers/sponsors; and
- contact information from a local person; and
- documents that prove the purpose of visit.
Payable in cash only. Local currency or U.S dollar are
accepted.
Carriers must notify the SYX immigration office before
departure.
- Passengers with a British passport with nationality British
Citizen can obtain a visa on arrival at Sanya (SYX) for a
maximum stay of 15 days. They must have:
- a passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival; and
- 2 passport photos; and
- a hotel reservation; and
- an invitation letter from Tourist Agency or other
corporations/organizers/sponsors; and
- contact information from a local person; and
- documents that prove the purpose of visit.
Payable in cash only. Local currency or US dollar are
accepted.
Carriers must notify the SYX immigration office before
departure.
- Passengers with a normal passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Beijing (PEK) for a maximum stay of 3 months if
they have confirmation that a visa has been approved before
departure. The airline must fax all documents to the
station manager prior to arrival and the passenger must
- have a confirmation from the Immigration authorities that
the visa will be issued on arrival; and
- passport contains at least 1 blank visa page for the
sticker-type visa; and
- have 2 passport photos and a letter of invitation issued
by the Chinese authorities or by a sponsor (approved by
Chinese authorities), who must meet passenger on arrival.
They can apply to extend their stay up to 6 months with an
Immigration judge (if coming on business purposes) (SEE NOTE
46798) (SEE NOTE 74203) (SEE NOTE 74206)
NOTE 46798: This does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
NOTE 74203: This does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 74206: This does not apply to passengers with a Macao
(SAR China) passport.
- Passengers with a normal passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Chengdu (CTU), Shanghai (Hongqiao (SHA) or Pudong
(PVG) for a maximum stay of 1 month if they have
confirmation that a visa has been approved before departure.
The passenger must:
- have a letter of invitation issued by the Chinese
authorities, confirmation from the Immigration authorities
that the visa will be issued on arrival, 2 passport photos
and a confirmed return/onward ticket; and
- passport contains at least one blank visa page; and
- a sponsor (approved by Chinese authorities) meets
passenger on arrival.
(SEE NOTE 46798) (SEE NOTE 74203) (SEE NOTE 74206)
NOTE 46798: This does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
NOTE 74203: This does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 74206: This does not apply to passengers with a Macao
(SAR China) passport.
- Passengers with a normal passport can obtain a visa on
arrival at Fuzhou (FOC) or Xiamen (XMN) for a maximum stay
of 1 month if they have confirmation that a visa has been
approved before departure. The passenger must
- have a letter of invitation issued by the Chinese
authorities, confirmation from the Immigration authorities
that the visa will be issued on arrival, 2 passport photos
and a confirmed return/onward ticket; and
- passport contains at least 1 blank visa page; and
- a sponsor (approved by Chinese authorities) meets
passenger on arrival. (SEE NOTE 2558) (SEE NOTE 2565) (SEE
NOTE 46798) (SEE NOTE 74203) (SEE NOTE 74206)
NOTE 2558: Facility not applicable to:
- nationals of Afghanistan, France, Iran, Iraq, Mauritania,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey and USA;
- stateless persons and refugees.
NOTE 2565: Facility not applicable to:
- nationals of Canada, Israel, Korea (Rep.), South Africa
and Vatican City (Holy See);
- holders of British passports.
NOTE 46798: This does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
NOTE 74203: This does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 74206: This does not apply to passengers with a Macao
(SAR China) passport.
- Passengers who are part of tourist groups of travel agencies
belonging to the Zhejiang Province can obtain a visa on
arrival at Hangzhou (HGH) for a maximum stay of 1 month.
(SEE NOTE 46798) (SEE NOTE 74203) (SEE NOTE 74206)
NOTE 46798: This does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
NOTE 74203: This does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 74206: This does not apply to passengers with a Macao
(SAR China) passport.
- Passengers with a normal passport arriving at Chongqing
(CKG), Guangzhou (CAN), Guilin (KWL), Haikou (HAK), Kunming
(KMG), Qingdao (TAO), Sanya (SYX), Shenzhen (SZX), Weihai
(WEH), Xi An (XIY) and Yantai (YNT) can obtain a visa on
arrival if they have confirmation that a visa has been
approved before departure and:
- that a visa will be issued on arrival; and
- passport contains at least 1 blank visa page for the
sticker-type visa; and
- a sponsor (approved by Chinese authorities) meets
passenger on arrival.
They can apply to extend their stay.
(SEE NOTE 2558) (SEE NOTE 2568) (SEE NOTE 46798) (SEE NOTE
74203) (SEE NOTE 74206)
NOTE 2558: Facility not applicable to:
- nationals of Afghanistan, France, Iran, Iraq, Mauritania,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey and USA;
- stateless persons and refugees.
NOTE 2568: Passengers with a British passport are required
to hold a letter of invitation by the Chinese authorities
and 1 passport photo.
NOTE 46798: This does not apply to passengers with a
Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan)
passport.
NOTE 74203: This does not apply to passengers with a Hong
Kong (SAR China) passport.
NOTE 74206: This does not apply to passengers with a Macao
(SAR China) passport.
- Passengers with a Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of
China Taiwan) passport and a national ID card issued by
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan Identity Card) can obtain a transit
visa at Beijing (PEK), Changchun (CGQ), Changsha (CSX),
Changzhou (CZX), Chengdu (CTU), Chongqing (CKG), Dalian
(DLC), Fuzhou (FOC), Guangzhou (CAN), Guilin (KWL), Guiyang
(KWE), Haikou (HAK), Hailar (HLD), Hangzhou (HGH), Harbin
(HRB), Hefei (HFE), Huangshan (TXN), Jinan (TNA), Kunming
(KMG), Nanchang (KHN), Nanjing (NKG), Nanning (NNG), Ningbo
(NGB), Qingdao (TAO), Quanzhou (JJN), Sanya (SYX), Shanghai:
Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG), Shenyang (SHE), Shenzhen
(SZX), Taiyuan (TYN), Tianjin (TSN) , Urumqi (URC), Weihai
(WEH), Wenzhou (WNZ), Wuhan (WUH), Wuxi (WUX), Xiamen (XMN)
Xi An (XIY), Xining (XNN), Xuzhou (XUZ), Yancheng (YNZ),
Yanji (YNJ), Yantai (YNT), Yinchuan (INC), Zhangjiajie (DYG)
and Zhengzhou (CGO) for a maximum of 3 months. They must
have 2 passport photos.

Additional Information:
- Extension of stay possible for holders of normal passports
issued to nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Japan and
Singapore by applying for a visa at an Exit & Entry
Administration Ministry of Public Security Office.
- Valid visas or resident permits in expired passports are
accepted if holding a new valid passport of the same
nationality. The personal information on both passports must
be the same.
- When a visa is used, a round entry stamp is placed in the
passport (i.e. a used single entry visa contains one round
entry stamp, a used double entry visa contains two round
entry stamps).
- Passengers traveling to Tibet must hold a special Tibet
Entry Permit.

Minors:
- An individual visa is not required for children traveling on
the passport of a parent or guardian, if their name is
endorsed in the visa of the passport holder.

Warning:
- Nationals of Afghanistan and Iraq with a service passport
must hold a visa issued in their home country. If visa is
issued in a third country, a residence permit or working
permit is also required.
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and
Turkey with a normal passport must hold a visa issued in
their home country. If visa is issued in a third country, a
residence permit or working permit is also required.
- Holders of normal passports issued to nationals of Sri Lanka
must hold a visa issued in their home country. If visa is
issued in a third country, a residence permit or working
permit is also required.
- Stamped residence permits are not valid for entry.
- Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused
entry.

China Forum Ambassadors: moondog----------anacapamalibu----------jiejie----------mnredfox

China 24, 72, and 144 hour Transit Without Visa ("TWOV") rules master thread

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Apr 12, 2016, 6:29 am

#1861

DernierVirage

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh

Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum

Posts: 450

@nk15...I know that security at T3 can be slow, but I have never observed anything like a 2 hour wait. How often have you had a problem like this? BTW, I am not doubting you, just interested !

Edited: I see I am not the only person with this reaction, I feel reassured

Apr 12, 2016, 6:45 am

#1862

nk15

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2014

Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances

Posts: 11,670

It happened once, and I used the D/P line (by mistake, and was verbally reprimanded for it) that only had 8 people in it, and the economy line was stretching for miles, and still barely made my flight, with being at the airport more than 2 hours early. PEK security for some weird reason has double passport/immigration checks, so even if you use the D/P/Business lane at the first check, the lane merges with the economy lane for the second passport check, so further delays. I think an absolute minimum of 2.5 hours before flight in the airport is needed, for newbies 3 hours to be safe.

Apr 12, 2016, 6:58 am

#1863

BinSabai

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: BKK

Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum

Posts: 8,337

Quote:

Originally Posted by nk15

I also had 80 minutes from check in to departure hall in T3 2 weeks ago...
There are not two passport checks! there is first immigration (which sometimes has fast lines) and then you have to queue again for security. And before your bags and yourself get scanned, your passport is checked. That's normal at all security checks in China whether international or domestic!

Apr 12, 2016, 6:58 am

#1864

jiejie

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Southeast USA

Programs: various

Posts: 6,710

Quote:

Originally Posted by nk15

Ah, just once. This does not a pattern make. If it wasn't the start of a major holiday period, then I think you encountered one of the exceptions where something odd was going on. Normally it does not take this kind of time to get through Immigration and security at T3. Even in some fairly busy times at Exit Immigration, it's never taken me more than 30 minutes in the regular line, between hours of 07:00-20:00 when the desks are fully staffed. But I guess it never hurts to allot more time in case one encounters an unusually bad/busy time--especially if one has lounge access airside.

The Chinese process most everywhere has a passport check at Immigration proper, then usually another look at the documents by the checker just before the security/xray/WTMD queues. Not limited to PEK. And for US-bound flights, another at the gate area second security check.

Another thing: The Diplomatic/APEC/Special line is NOT normally used for premium class passengers. Just a Biz class ticket does not get you access if you are entering on a Chinese visa per the usual. The only reason you would have been sent to DP/special is when using TWOV if the TWOV queue was out of service at the time. And even TWOV economy passengers would use the DP/special queue under the same circumstances. It was your TWOV status not your Biz ticket that determined the queue. I think you are confused a bit about PEK procedures and may have drawn some erroneous conclusions.

Last edited by jiejie; Apr 12, 2016 at 7:06 am

Apr 12, 2016, 7:20 am

#1865

YuropFlyer

Join Date: May 2009

Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)

Posts: 9,456

Queues in PEK can look VERY crazy, but in fact are proceesed fairly quickly. Even when the queue was going all the way to the back, I doubt it took them more than 30min to go through (I was around at 2/3rds of it, and it took my just around 15min)

Apr 12, 2016, 7:28 am

#1866

moondog

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: Shanghai

Posts: 42,052

Quote:

Originally Posted by nk15

Since when did business class tickets afford special treatment by border control in Beijing?

Since your data sample is ONE, what's with the "3 hours to be safe" advice? I've been burned by security exactly once in Beijing, and I ended up having to buy a walk up first class ticket to get out of that jam, but when I spread this one experience across 500 departures, the cost is trivial.

Apr 12, 2016, 7:45 am

#1867

nk15

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2014

Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances

Posts: 11,670

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiejie

Anyway, my experience with departing T3 at PEK twice recently was at least two hours from check in to gate, and this did not include any shopping or stops at the lounge. In both cases I had priority check in, NO checked baggage, I am a fast walker, AND used the D/P lane, and still took me 2 hours from check in to gate.

As for the D/P counter, when ENTERING PEK twice recently, this counter was used for TWOV (once late night arrival, the other time mid morning arrival). When EXITING PEK, I was told by the AA check in staff to use the lane next to the crew lane as priority security lane (which was in fact the D/P/APEC Business lane), and this worked without a hitch when I was on the business ticket the second time. The first time, when I used that lane on exiting PEK on my nested economy ticket I was reprimanded for it, saying that it was only for diplomats. It seems that there is an inconsistency about this lane.

Last edited by nk15; Apr 12, 2016 at 7:58 am

Apr 12, 2016, 8:00 am

#1868

YuropFlyer

Join Date: May 2009

Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)

Posts: 9,456

Quote:

Originally Posted by nk15

Assuming you didn't had to queue much at checkin (When using C/F checkin, I've rarely if ever had to wait more than 2min) and the whole walk/train ride doesn't take more than 15min all together, you mean you basically had to queue for 1.5hrs at immigration? Since security is right after it, and queues can't handle more than about 15min of people between security and immigration - and yes, they do stop the immigration lanes from getting through once it's "too full" behind it. I've experienced it twice IIRC (and it took me around 15min after immigration to get through security - but in that cases, just around 5-10min at immigration itself)

Now, I can understand that long queues happen, but I've never experienced anything like that in PEK. Do you really mean you had to queue for the immigration counter 1.5hrs? Since they do have only 2 or 3 lanes (in a wide hall) going to all counters, it's not like you could have catched a slow lane (Greetings to Singapore here, where I seem to always catch the slowest one

) - if it was 1.5hrs, it was 1.5hrs for everyone.

Now, considering that would have made quite some people miss their flights, I really have some trouble believing that. Did they ask for people with departures within 30min or so, and proceeded them faster?

Edit: And yes, the lane at the left side (D/P) is the security lane when exiting PEK. That's why always queue on the leftmost immigration area.

Apr 12, 2016, 9:07 am

#1869

nk15

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2014

Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances

Posts: 11,670

Yes, it was so backed up there was the guy with the sign for people with flights departing in 40 minutes to get priority, both days. It was so bad people were lifting the barrier and cuting in front of the lines to make it

Apr 12, 2016, 9:13 am

#1870

DernierVirage

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh

Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum

Posts: 450

Quote:

Originally Posted by nk15

The last time I saw this at BJS was in the good old days pre-1999, when the entire airport fitted into what is now T1 !!

Apr 12, 2016, 9:41 am

#1871

BinSabai

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: BKK

Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum

Posts: 8,337

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuropFlyer

Now, I can understand that long queues happen, but I've never experienced anything like that in PEK. Do you really mean you had to queue for the immigration counter 1.5hrs? Since they do have only 2 or 3 lanes (in a wide hall) going to all counters, it's not like you could have catched a slow lane (Greetings to Singapore here, where I seem to always catch the slowest one

) - if it was 1.5hrs, it was 1.5hrs for everyone.

two weeks ago when I flew out of PEK this was quite different: after the train, people were queuing in about 5 lanes (30-40 meters queue) just to get into the "snake" lines (there were also about 5 compartments with snake lines), which went to around 3 immigration counters each. Total chaos after immigration lines with nervous security staff sending people to different snake lines; there were express lines for people without bags on rollers, but they were not fast at all. total about 8 security lines but slow as hell. after the passport check (for security) another 10 minutes in line before scanning bags
I had around 80 minutes from check in to the departure hall (Friday afternoon)

Apr 14, 2016, 11:29 pm

#1872

kevmille

Join Date: Apr 2016

Posts: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiejie

Yes. Chinese Immigration has the incoming intl passenger manifests transmitted to it. This will list nationality and visa status (has, exempt, or TWOV)

TIMATIC would not mention operational types of issues in its descriptions. But per my comment to the quote above, you tell the airlines at check-in that you will be using TWOV. This should come out naturally when they look for your Chinese visa and you tell them that you don't have one. The airline will then look at your onward itinerary and timing to make sure you qualify for TWOV and for the duration you are inside China.

Having to deal with staff unfamilar with TWOV and who might challenge you, is the main potential fly in the ointment, but most airlines do use TIMATIC as their "bible" on whether passengers are eligible to be carried. However, if they enter information incorrectly such as putting China as the destination, then it will come up that you need a visa. It is not impolite to "remind" airline staff that China should be entered as the transit point, with your destination after that as the destination field. Then the correct info will come up.

I had no issues getting my TWOV recognized with Aeroflot here in Almaty, Kazakhstan, last Saturday. I even had the TIMATIC information printed but they did not even look at it. I just told them I will transit in Shanghai and the ticket counter agent asked to see my departing flight booking. I showed it and I was on my way.

Shanghai was easy. I arrived at about 11:30 pm so the 144 hour visa-free transit counter was closed. Three of us used the normal immigration counter. They just needed our departure flight booking. They even asked us to wait until past midnight to add one more day for our transit. I will use the TWOV again in June to drop off some luggage before returning in August with a proper visa.

Apr 15, 2016, 3:37 am

#1873

YuropFlyer

Join Date: May 2009

Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)

Posts: 9,456

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmille

Good to hear more positive reviews.

The one thing about Shanghai is weird though: Your "real" arrival time shouldn't matter - for TWOV purposes, your scheduled arrival time is all that matters. And they should give you anyway just the days till your departing flight, and not the maximum allowance of 6 days if you depart in (say) 3 days.. ?

Haven't we discussed here a short while ago the situation where someone with a flight (scheduled) arrival of 00.05, landing 30min early, would basically be in a weird situation when he gets to immigration before midnight, since they would technically give him a day more that way? Especially if he maxed his allowed stay in China with his flight out, ie he would be over TWOV allowance.

Apr 15, 2016, 6:30 am

#1874

jiejie

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Southeast USA

Programs: various

Posts: 6,710

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuropFlyer

The one thing about Shanghai is weird though: Your "real" arrival time shouldn't matter - for TWOV purposes, your scheduled arrival time is all that matters. And they should give you anyway just the days till your departing flight, and not the maximum allowance of 6 days if you depart in (say) 3 days.. ?

Haven't we discussed here a short while ago the situation where someone with a flight (scheduled) arrival of 00.05, landing 30min early, would basically be in a weird situation when he gets to immigration before midnight, since they would technically give him a day more that way? Especially if he maxed his allowed stay in China with his flight out, ie he would be over TWOV allowance.

I think this experience with the timing should be put down to goodwill of the officer on duty, and not relied upon as a standard procedure. Standard is to use aircraft arrival time as the determinant of which side of midnight one falls into....not when one arrives at the Immigration desk. I'm sure officers do have discretion on this, but never plan a TWOV that relies upon goodwill and "special interpretation" of the rules, in order to work out.

Apr 19, 2016, 9:49 pm

#1875

bittenbytravelbug

Join Date: Aug 2009

Posts: 14

I'm trying to figure out whether my travel group qualifies for the 144 hour waiver or not.

Our trip is
LAX >Pvg, 4 hour layover.
PVG>Hkg where we will spend 2.5 days in Hkg.
HKG>PVG where we plan to spend 3.5 days, which is where we hope to take advantage of the waiver.
PVG>LAX to return home.

We all hold USA passports. My concern is we do not qualify because we are flying thru PVG to get to Hong Kong and it's on the return leg that we want to use the 144 hour waiver.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We travel in June so I want to sort this out soon if we need to apply for traditional visas.