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")
May 4, 2013, 2:32 pm
#871
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That link suggests CAN TWOV will be a good boost to tourism for Guangdong, of which Guangzhou is obviously a part, but it's too bad it can't be used to get to other PRD cities. Then again, whereas passport info is taking for train tickets, hopping on a bus at one of the plethora of urban bus stations isn't quite the same...
Is one reason for this also because CAN is trying to become a transit point to/from Australia?
Is one reason for this also because CAN is trying to become a transit point to/from Australia?
May 5, 2013, 7:21 pm
#872
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Join Date: Nov 2009
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That link suggests CAN TWOV will be a good boost to tourism for Guangdong, of which Guangzhou is obviously a part, but it's too bad it can't be used to get to other PRD cities. Then again, whereas passport info is taking for train tickets, hopping on a bus at one of the plethora of urban bus stations isn't quite the same...
Is one reason for this also because CAN is trying to become a transit point to/from Australia?
Is one reason for this also because CAN is trying to become a transit point to/from Australia?
Hope this will permit train ride to HKG count as exiting.
May 5, 2013, 7:33 pm
#873
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,418
If I was able to get (ie, if I wasn't American/French) one of those Shenzhen 5-day VOAs, there might be a case to be made. I "guess" the only obstacle is Dongguan, the manufacturing hub wedged in between Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
May 5, 2013, 9:09 pm
#874
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Based on the rules for Beijing and Shanghai, I would expect the rules for 72 hour transit without visa for CAN--if it happens--to roughly be as follows:
Must transit, but HKG counts for this as a separate country.
Scheduled time on ground of up to 72 hours, with ticket receipt for onward travel to third country required.
No leaving Guangzhou.
Must arrive and depart from CAN airport. (No cars, boats, or trains.)
Allowed to leave airport and stay in hotel in Guangzhou, but not elsewhere. If staying privately, must register passport with police within 24 hours.
At the beginning, processing will be slow and officials won't know what to do with such travelers.
Must transit, but HKG counts for this as a separate country.
Scheduled time on ground of up to 72 hours, with ticket receipt for onward travel to third country required.
No leaving Guangzhou.
Must arrive and depart from CAN airport. (No cars, boats, or trains.)
Allowed to leave airport and stay in hotel in Guangzhou, but not elsewhere. If staying privately, must register passport with police within 24 hours.
At the beginning, processing will be slow and officials won't know what to do with such travelers.
May 6, 2013, 7:29 am
#875
Join Date: Jan 2008
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As I recall both cz and ka fly can-HKG so it's not really a problem of you ask me
As I recall both cz and ka fly can-HKG so it's not really a problem of you ask me
May 6, 2013, 9:52 am
#876
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,418
Sure, but flying between the two (and making it to HK island or Kowloon, for example) can take as long as taking the train between the two (alighting at Hung Hom).
May 6, 2013, 11:01 am
#877
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Ain't going to happen. The idea of 72-hour extended transit without visa is to
1) allow travelers from wealthier countries that are less likely to overstay, to spend money in the immediate area. And
2) encourage people to book long-haul tickets on the Home Boy carrier (CZ in this case). Particularly from Europe and North America to other points in Asia and Australia/NZ.
Allowing a legal transit overland to HKG would defeat both these purposes. The Chinese aren't dumb. I suspect MSP has called it pretty accurately.
1) allow travelers from wealthier countries that are less likely to overstay, to spend money in the immediate area. And
2) encourage people to book long-haul tickets on the Home Boy carrier (CZ in this case). Particularly from Europe and North America to other points in Asia and Australia/NZ.
Allowing a legal transit overland to HKG would defeat both these purposes. The Chinese aren't dumb. I suspect MSP has called it pretty accurately.
May 7, 2013, 2:49 pm
#878
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,462
That link suggests CAN TWOV will be a good boost to tourism for Guangdong, of which Guangzhou is obviously a part, but it's too bad it can't be used to get to other PRD cities. Then again, whereas passport info is taking for train tickets, hopping on a bus at one of the plethora of urban bus stations isn't quite the same...
Is one reason for this also because CAN is trying to become a transit point to/from Australia?
Is one reason for this also because CAN is trying to become a transit point to/from Australia?
In fact, the last two times I bought a train ticket, they only wanted to know the passport number (as I forgot my passport in the apartment) - or you could simply have a copy of your picture/passport information page with you... anything will work, no worries about that.
The only thing that I would NOT try to do is buying a domestic flight with a 72hrs transfer Visa..
May 7, 2013, 9:01 pm
#879
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
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Visas may not be checked for transportation ticket purchases, but definitely are checked whenever one checks into accommodation. So having one of the 72-hour CAN transit stamps in lieu of a visa, and trying to check into lodging outside Guangzhou city or whatever limits the gov't comes up with, would probably result in being turned away. Although it would be hard to enforce if staying with family or friends in another city, provided one abstained from registering with the police.
May 7, 2013, 9:22 pm
#880
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,462
Visas may not be checked for transportation ticket purchases, but definitely are checked whenever one checks into accommodation. So having one of the 72-hour CAN transit stamps in lieu of a visa, and trying to check into lodging outside Guangzhou city or whatever limits the gov't comes up with, would probably result in being turned away. Although it would be hard to enforce if staying with family or friends in another city, provided one abstained from registering with the police.
Plus, the last time the police didn't turn me away when I wanted to register myself at a local friend was in 2007.. besides "proper" hotel accommodation, it's definitely not very much "enforced" anymore.. (usually hotels do check it world wide, this is not really a "China thing")
May 8, 2013, 8:30 am
#881
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I've had to beg the police to register me a few times because I needed that annoying little piece of paper (the 境外人員臨時在住登録単 they give you) for something or other. Unless they're in "crackdown" mode, nobody seems to care about this rule, least of all the police. Haidian, where for whatever reason the police seem to be a bunch of busybodies with nothing better to do, seems to be the only exception to this.
May 8, 2013, 9:39 am
#882
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LAX
Posts: 295
Any ideas when the US Consulate will update their site to show 72 hours? I called Delta and they didn't update their systems yet (even received an email stating I needed a visa) and I'd like to have something to reference other than news articles, international embassies, etc. just in case I have issues w/check-in/boarding.
May 8, 2013, 10:45 am
#883
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Any ideas when the US Consulate will update their site to show 72 hours? I called Delta and they didn't update their systems yet (even received an email stating I needed a visa) and I'd like to have something to reference other than news articles, international embassies, etc. just in case I have issues w/check-in/boarding.
These are merely advisory summaries and not meant to be comprehensive; please read the thread, with TIMATIC <oneworld link> (easier to read), <star alliance link>; skyteam link>, etc.
May 8, 2013, 11:47 am
#884
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LAX
Posts: 295
I have that ready along with the printout from the Skyteam site but for some reason DLs system isn't updated and when I call the agents keep referencing the US Consulate site stating the old threshold. I guess I will just have to go with that though if it's not updated.
May 8, 2013, 2:46 pm
#885
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Any ideas when the US Consulate will update their site to show 72 hours? I called Delta and they didn't update their systems yet (even received an email stating I needed a visa) and I'd like to have something to reference other than news articles, international embassies, etc. just in case I have issues w/check-in/boarding.
DL would like to send you to some visa processing agency that presumably pays them a fee for the referral. This outfit's standard is always to encourage you to get a visa in advance, even for places where doing so is an expensive nuisance and entering by buying a visa at the airport is quick, easy, and relatively cheap (Turkey and Indonesia, for example). Even if you think you need a visa, please find your own reputable visa service agency.