Apr 7, 2013, 10:50 am
Last edit by: JDiver
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TWOV (Transit Without Visa) - UNDER 24 HOURS: Visa required, except for Holders of confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit [[TIRULES/R32]] time of 24 hours. Transit incl. two stops, with a total transit time of 24 hours, within China (People's Rep.) is permitted.
For other China visa information: China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know)
From IATA / TIMATIC: "CHINA (PEOPLE'S REP.): (under) 72-HOUR VISA-FREE TRANSIT AT BEIJING, SHANGHAI, GUANGZHOU, AND CHENGDU (ONLY)
In order to avail of 72 hour TWOV, persons must remain in one of these 4 regions, and arrive/depart via air. In other words, flying into Beijing and out of Shanghai is fine for <24 hour transits, but is prohibited for 24-72 hour transits. (moondog, 9/10/2013)
CA175/6 (PEK<->PVG<->SYD), CA177/8 (PEK<->PVG<->MEL), CA155/6 (PEK<->PVG<->SDJ), CA153/4 (PEK<->DLC<->HIJ), CA951/2 (PEK<->DLC<->NRT), CA953/4 (PEK<->DLC<->FUK), CA977/8 (PEK<->XMN<->CGK), CA945/6 (PEK<->CTU<->KHI) and CA905/6 (PEK<->KMG<->RGN) are not non-stop international flights from Beijing; therefore passengers taking these flights do not qualify for the 72-hour visa-free policy in Beijing because the point of entry/exit into China is the intermediate stop, not PEK. Transiting China with these flights is OK without a visa as long as you enter and exit China - intermediate stops included - within 24 hours. If your time in China is over 24 hours, a visa is necessary. (kaimanawa, Jan 2014)
Effective from 1 January 2013, nationals of 45 countries transiting through Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG and SHA) to a third country (includes Hong Kong or Macau SARs) and holding confirmed onward tickets are permitted to enter China (People's Rep.) without a visa, for max. 72 hours. Passengers must arrive in and depart from the same city. This facility is available for nationals of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Fed., Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and holders of British Citizen passports.+ - 28 Jan 2013, c/o drewguy
"Nationals of USA holding confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit time of 72 hours at Beijing (PEK), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) or Shanghai Pudong (PVG), provided arriving in and departing from the same city. " (c/o Akiestar)
China Embassy website: "3. Visitors are not allowed to leave Beijing or Shanghai to other cities during the 72-hour visa-free period. They can only depart Beijing from Capital International Airport (PEK) or Pudong International Airport (PVG) as well as Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)." (c/o anacapamalibu) (You are expected to remain generally within the Port of Entry municipality and to depart from the same POE within 72 hours.)
These are merely advisory summaries and not meant to be comprehensive; please read the thread, with TIMATIC: <star alliance link>; skyteam link> (easier to read), etc.
See China visa FAQ post here
and be aware: China visa requirements and procedures are due to change 1 July 2013.
Note that there's a separate and much shorter thread here in the China forum devoted to TWOV at PVG/Shanghai. It has some details of the airport setup for TWOV at PVG, especially the new 72 hour rule.
Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan are considered 3rd countries for the purpose of TWOV.
This is what constitutes "transit" in the eyes of Chinese officials:
1) You must FLY in from one country and out to a different country NONSTOP
*Cruise ship passengers are reportedly going to get TWOV privileges soon
2) The Chinese only care about the segments that touch PRC soil
-this means that it's totally fine to go to China from the US and back as long as you connect in a third country in one direction
3) For 72 hour TWOV you must arrive and depart from the same Chinese city
4) For 24 hour TWOV, you can arrive and depart from anywhere by plane (e.g. into Guangzhou and out from Wulumuqi is fine)
moondog, 2/2/2014
TWOV (Transit Without Visa) - UNDER 24 HOURS: Visa required, except for Holders of confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit [[TIRULES/R32]] time of 24 hours. Transit incl. two stops, with a total transit time of 24 hours, within China (People's Rep.) is permitted.
For other China visa information: China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know)
From IATA / TIMATIC: "CHINA (PEOPLE'S REP.): (under) 72-HOUR VISA-FREE TRANSIT AT BEIJING, SHANGHAI, GUANGZHOU, AND CHENGDU (ONLY)
In order to avail of 72 hour TWOV, persons must remain in one of these 4 regions, and arrive/depart via air. In other words, flying into Beijing and out of Shanghai is fine for <24 hour transits, but is prohibited for 24-72 hour transits. (moondog, 9/10/2013)
CA175/6 (PEK<->PVG<->SYD), CA177/8 (PEK<->PVG<->MEL), CA155/6 (PEK<->PVG<->SDJ), CA153/4 (PEK<->DLC<->HIJ), CA951/2 (PEK<->DLC<->NRT), CA953/4 (PEK<->DLC<->FUK), CA977/8 (PEK<->XMN<->CGK), CA945/6 (PEK<->CTU<->KHI) and CA905/6 (PEK<->KMG<->RGN) are not non-stop international flights from Beijing; therefore passengers taking these flights do not qualify for the 72-hour visa-free policy in Beijing because the point of entry/exit into China is the intermediate stop, not PEK. Transiting China with these flights is OK without a visa as long as you enter and exit China - intermediate stops included - within 24 hours. If your time in China is over 24 hours, a visa is necessary. (kaimanawa, Jan 2014)
Effective from 1 January 2013, nationals of 45 countries transiting through Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG and SHA) to a third country (includes Hong Kong or Macau SARs) and holding confirmed onward tickets are permitted to enter China (People's Rep.) without a visa, for max. 72 hours. Passengers must arrive in and depart from the same city. This facility is available for nationals of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Fed., Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and holders of British Citizen passports.+ - 28 Jan 2013, c/o drewguy
"Nationals of USA holding confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit time of 72 hours at Beijing (PEK), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) or Shanghai Pudong (PVG), provided arriving in and departing from the same city. " (c/o Akiestar)
China Embassy website: "3. Visitors are not allowed to leave Beijing or Shanghai to other cities during the 72-hour visa-free period. They can only depart Beijing from Capital International Airport (PEK) or Pudong International Airport (PVG) as well as Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)." (c/o anacapamalibu) (You are expected to remain generally within the Port of Entry municipality and to depart from the same POE within 72 hours.)
These are merely advisory summaries and not meant to be comprehensive; please read the thread, with TIMATIC: <star alliance link>; skyteam link> (easier to read), etc.
See China visa FAQ post here
and be aware: China visa requirements and procedures are due to change 1 July 2013.
Note that there's a separate and much shorter thread here in the China forum devoted to TWOV at PVG/Shanghai. It has some details of the airport setup for TWOV at PVG, especially the new 72 hour rule.
Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan are considered 3rd countries for the purpose of TWOV.
This is what constitutes "transit" in the eyes of Chinese officials:
1) You must FLY in from one country and out to a different country NONSTOP
*Cruise ship passengers are reportedly going to get TWOV privileges soon
2) The Chinese only care about the segments that touch PRC soil
-this means that it's totally fine to go to China from the US and back as long as you connect in a third country in one direction
3) For 72 hour TWOV you must arrive and depart from the same Chinese city
4) For 24 hour TWOV, you can arrive and depart from anywhere by plane (e.g. into Guangzhou and out from Wulumuqi is fine)
moondog, 2/2/2014
FAQ: PRC Visa-Free Transit (AKA Transit Without Visa or "TWOV")
Sep 16, 2012, 9:53 pm
#466
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Don't get people's hopes up by reporting propaganda. We've heard this before, only to have it come to naught. Whatever Beijing Municipal government approves, it's meaningless without a change in immigration (including transit) policy, which comes from the Central Chinese government. .
Central People's Government 中央人民政府.
"The new policy has been approved by the State Council but no timetable for its introduction was announced."
Sep 16, 2012, 11:44 pm
#467
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
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Posts: 499
(http://epaper.worldjournal.com/v2land/sf2.html). On page A11 of 16SEP2012 paper.
I did not say "effective immediately" on the title. Anyone who thinks he or she now can stay in Beijing for 72 hours without visa is extremely stupid.
Sorry, I did not know only certain people can report the transit policy change on this forum. I just thought this is a good news we can look forward to.
Sep 17, 2012, 12:52 pm
#468
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
If you can read traditional Chinese, the news is on World Journal SF edition
(http://epaper.worldjournal.com/v2land/sf2.html). On page A11 of 16SEP2012 paper.
I did not say "effective immediately" on the title. Anyone who thinks he or she now can stay in Beijing for 72 hours without visa is extremely stupid.
Sorry, I did not know only certain people can report the transit policy change on this forum. I just thought this is a good news we can look forward to.
(http://epaper.worldjournal.com/v2land/sf2.html). On page A11 of 16SEP2012 paper.
I did not say "effective immediately" on the title. Anyone who thinks he or she now can stay in Beijing for 72 hours without visa is extremely stupid.
Sorry, I did not know only certain people can report the transit policy change on this forum. I just thought this is a good news we can look forward to.
Sep 18, 2012, 1:29 am
#469
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Coventry, England
Posts: 30
Guangzhou (CAN) & Beijing (PEK) Layover Without Visa?
We have a 9-hour daytime layover in CAN and a 22-hour overnight in PEK, travelling from UK-Hong Kong and back with China Southern Airlines.
Is it still feasible to go downtown in both cities without a visa? According to several correspondents the situation sometimes seems fluid and down to the whim of individual border guards.
I haven't read all 30 odd pages of this thread, which I note goes back some years!
Anyone have specific up-to-date info on visa-free transit and escaping the airport at CAN & PEK?
Thank you.
Is it still feasible to go downtown in both cities without a visa? According to several correspondents the situation sometimes seems fluid and down to the whim of individual border guards.
I haven't read all 30 odd pages of this thread, which I note goes back some years!
Anyone have specific up-to-date info on visa-free transit and escaping the airport at CAN & PEK?
Thank you.
Sep 18, 2012, 2:10 am
#470
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
We have a 9-hour daytime layover in CAN and a 22-hour overnight in PEK, travelling from UK-Hong Kong and back with China Southern Airlines.
Is it still feasible to go downtown in both cities without a visa? According to several correspondents the situation sometimes seems fluid and down to the whim of individual border guards.
I haven't read all 30 odd pages of this thread, which I note goes back some years!
Anyone have specific up-to-date info on visa-free transit and escaping the airport at CAN & PEK?
Thank you.
Is it still feasible to go downtown in both cities without a visa? According to several correspondents the situation sometimes seems fluid and down to the whim of individual border guards.
I haven't read all 30 odd pages of this thread, which I note goes back some years!
Anyone have specific up-to-date info on visa-free transit and escaping the airport at CAN & PEK?
Thank you.
Sep 18, 2012, 2:15 am
#471
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Well, you could try reading the last few pages, which should be enough. Perhaps it's time to redo this FAQ and make a new thread however, consolidating the latest facts and advice.
As to your question--you aren't clear with your description. If you have the 9 hour in one direction and the 22 hour in the other direction, you are legal for TWOV. PEK is not normally a problem to get a transit stamp and leave the airport. CAN has been known to be a problem and refuse your request to leave without a visa on TWOV...unless you are very adamant and persistent.
If, however, you are talking about 9 + 22 hours = 31 hours on a single direction pass through, that's >24 hours and not legal for TWOV, requiring a visa.
As to your question--you aren't clear with your description. If you have the 9 hour in one direction and the 22 hour in the other direction, you are legal for TWOV. PEK is not normally a problem to get a transit stamp and leave the airport. CAN has been known to be a problem and refuse your request to leave without a visa on TWOV...unless you are very adamant and persistent.
If, however, you are talking about 9 + 22 hours = 31 hours on a single direction pass through, that's >24 hours and not legal for TWOV, requiring a visa.
Sep 18, 2012, 2:32 am
#472
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Coventry, England
Posts: 30
Thanks for your quick response.
The 9 hours is on the way to HKG, and the 22 hours is on the way back to England.
Which booth in the immigration hall should I look for in order to get the transit without visa stamp?
The 9 hours is on the way to HKG, and the 22 hours is on the way back to England.
Which booth in the immigration hall should I look for in order to get the transit without visa stamp?
Sep 18, 2012, 3:35 am
#473
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Sep 18, 2012, 4:44 am
#474
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,454
Is it new this way? Last time I used the transit visa (well, one could say short-term-valid visa-on-arrival also..) I was just asked to join the regular "foreigner" queue, and got the stamp at the regular immigration booth (He just had to call a supervisor, but it didn't took more than maybe 2 minutes, I still had to wait for my baggage afterwards 
)
)
Sep 18, 2012, 5:41 am
#475
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Is it new this way? Last time I used the transit visa (well, one could say short-term-valid visa-on-arrival also..) I was just asked to join the regular "foreigner" queue, and got the stamp at the regular immigration booth (He just had to call a supervisor, but it didn't took more than maybe 2 minutes, I still had to wait for my baggage afterwards )
)
Sep 19, 2012, 10:48 am
#476
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Transit Visa
Hi,
After talking with both the airline (airchina) and the chinese embassy in the uk I am a bit confused about transit visas. I will be flying London-Beijing-Sydney, though the Beijing-Sydney flight has a 'technical stop' in Shanghai. The total time between arriving in beijing and leaving shanghai is less than 24 hours. Do I require a transit Visa? (UK citizen)
Thanks
After talking with both the airline (airchina) and the chinese embassy in the uk I am a bit confused about transit visas. I will be flying London-Beijing-Sydney, though the Beijing-Sydney flight has a 'technical stop' in Shanghai. The total time between arriving in beijing and leaving shanghai is less than 24 hours. Do I require a transit Visa? (UK citizen)
Thanks
Sep 19, 2012, 5:30 pm
#477
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PVG - go to regular line, get pulled aside to booths behind regular desks, no "special" desk.
I am doing 5 hour transit in CAN next year. Not planning to leave the airport this time tho.
Sep 19, 2012, 9:10 pm
#478
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Transit WITHOUT Visa
I am a bit confused about transit visas. I will be flying London-Beijing-Sydney, though the Beijing-Sydney flight has a 'technical stop' in Shanghai. The total time between arriving in beijing and leaving shanghai is less than 24 hours. Do I require a transit Visa? (UK citizen)
EmailKid
Sep 20, 2012, 12:24 am
#479
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Hi,
After talking with both the airline (airchina) and the chinese embassy in the uk I am a bit confused about transit visas. I will be flying London-Beijing-Sydney, though the Beijing-Sydney flight has a 'technical stop' in Shanghai. The total time between arriving in beijing and leaving shanghai is less than 24 hours. Do I require a transit Visa? (UK citizen)
Thanks
After talking with both the airline (airchina) and the chinese embassy in the uk I am a bit confused about transit visas. I will be flying London-Beijing-Sydney, though the Beijing-Sydney flight has a 'technical stop' in Shanghai. The total time between arriving in beijing and leaving shanghai is less than 24 hours. Do I require a transit Visa? (UK citizen)
Thanks
Sep 20, 2012, 12:26 pm
#480
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
[QUOTE=EmailKid;19348196]Please read the post IMMEDIATELY above yours @:-)
The post above mine appears unrelated? Have you had experience on the london-beijing-shanghai-sydney flight?
Thanks in advance for any responses.
The post above mine appears unrelated? Have you had experience on the london-beijing-shanghai-sydney flight?
Thanks in advance for any responses.