MR to China - Visa Needed?
#31
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 270
#33
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,562
I'm not nearly as comfortable as 110pgl pushing the issue on the 3rd country transit rule, but then again I usually posses a 1 year multiple entry visa for China anyway since I tend to go there on long weekends a few times a year. There are conflicting reports on that and certainly some FTers have been told they need a visa to turn around to the same country. You're at the mercy of the check in agent and/or supervisor, if they say no, then you're not going anywhere. Now once you get there, it won't be an issue anymore, I've never had the transit counter immigration in any Chinese airport ask where I came from... all they care is that I have an onward boarding pass out of China and then put the hexagon stamp in my passport.
Only 3 countries are exempt for China visa for tourist visits up to 15 days: Japan, Singapore, and Brunei. All other countries need a visa for a regular visit. Many countries are exempt if in transit, that rule varies depending on your passport and which airport.
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,824
+1. In fact, I would say that this advice crosses the line between bad and awful/deplorable. While it's possible to trick them or get lucky, the rules are VERY clear on this matter.
#35
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,977
The rules are very clear. This is allowed. No tricks. No getting lucky. The rules are VERY clear on this. (Just did this two weeks ago... AA.) My visa ended in April and I have been visa free since then, two MR in that time. (Both times agent just asked to see/check the return and I was good to go.)
That being said, you may run into people on the airline who are not knowledgeable and you may need to show them the appropriate rules which can be a hassle. (Even if you are respectful.) So if you are going to do this run more than once, you may want to opt for the visa to simplify your life.
deplorable? A bit over the top.
#36
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,824
The rules are very clear. This is allowed. No tricks. No getting lucky. The rules are VERY clear on this. (Just did this two weeks ago... AA.) My visa ended in April and I have been visa free since then, two MR in that time. (Both times agent just asked to see/check the return and I was good to go.)
That being said, you may run into people on the airline who are not knowledgeable and you may need to show them the appropriate rules which can be a hassle. (Even if you are respectful.) So if you are going to do this run more than once, you may want to opt for the visa to simplify your life.
deplorable? A bit over the top.
That being said, you may run into people on the airline who are not knowledgeable and you may need to show them the appropriate rules which can be a hassle. (Even if you are respectful.) So if you are going to do this run more than once, you may want to opt for the visa to simplify your life.
deplorable? A bit over the top.
The reason I call "deplorable" is because anyone who takes your advice is likely to be denied boarding or turned back if they happen to make it to China. (If I worked for an airline, I'd bounce anyone who tried to board a straight up RT sans visa in a heartbeat.)
I have been on top of these TWOV threads on FT ever since the program was kicked off, and have become intimately familiar with the rules in the process... and, read many sob stories in the process.
#37
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: AF Plat a vie, EK Gold, SQ PPS
Posts: 758
China just came out with a new law regarding this but it says you need to return to a different country:
http://travel.cnn.com/beijing-waives...4406?hpt=hp_t3
http://travel.cnn.com/beijing-waives...4406?hpt=hp_t3
#38
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,977
Insofar as PRC TWOV is concerned, passengers are only eligible if they are in TRANSIT from one country to another.
The reason I call "deplorable" is because anyone who takes your advice is likely to be denied boarding or turned back if they happen to make it to China. (If I worked for an airline, I'd bounce anyone who tried to board a straight up RT sans visa in a heartbeat.)
I have been on top of these TWOV threads on FT ever since the program was kicked off, and have become intimately familiar with the rules in the process... and, read many sob stories in the process.
The reason I call "deplorable" is because anyone who takes your advice is likely to be denied boarding or turned back if they happen to make it to China. (If I worked for an airline, I'd bounce anyone who tried to board a straight up RT sans visa in a heartbeat.)
I have been on top of these TWOV threads on FT ever since the program was kicked off, and have become intimately familiar with the rules in the process... and, read many sob stories in the process.
While I respect everyone's opinion, FT is littered with many (too many) I heard, I read, my secret brother-in-law knows a guy...
Not sure why you would "bounce" someone who is not doing anything wrong. Would you bounce someone who was going to Germany without a visa? (It is not needed there.) How about Russia? They are very strict there on visa's there - more so than China, but, MR turns in DME are done all the time there without a visa. Why? Because it is allowed.
The visa is simply not needed, as long as you leave China within 24 hours. Period. No exceptions.
The vast majority of airline agents know the visa rules. The few that don't are always enlightened by a supervisor. (Especially when you treat them with respect.) Never a problem.
As for entry into China, a boarding pass within 24 hours and a valid passport have always been the only things needed. Never in dozens and dozens of trips has a Chinese immigration official ever asked to see the boarding pass of my inbound flight. It is irrelevant. All they want to know is how long you will stay.
But again, anyone who is worried should get a visa. Just as anyone worried about security lines should get to the airport super early. Not needed, but if it makes you feel better, do it.
#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,824
#41
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,977
I agree 100%.
You reading this wrong. But, I do not think the facts will convince you. (Just because you write things like "Failure to demonstrate such is grounds for denied boarding/entry" does not make it true.)
In the end, get a visa if you are not comfortable. (Even for the new rules, a visa may make you sleep better.)
As stated above the price of a visa is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
In the end, get a visa if you are not comfortable. (Even for the new rules, a visa may make you sleep better.)
As stated above the price of a visa is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
#42
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Anyone who has a different opinion, please provide
links to support this unheard of assertion.
#43
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 803
With respect, you don't know what you are talking about.
I - and several others - have done it on mileage runs before to both PVG and PEK. (PVG is a favorite for mileage runs due to the less expensive premium fares.)
In this case, the 3rd country is the returning country. (When they create these transit rules, they don't think about us doing mileage runs.)
(Another example.... Russia - visa required, unless you are returning immediately.)
Moderator - please delete these posts (including this one) and lets get back to premium fares.
I - and several others - have done it on mileage runs before to both PVG and PEK. (PVG is a favorite for mileage runs due to the less expensive premium fares.)
In this case, the 3rd country is the returning country. (When they create these transit rules, they don't think about us doing mileage runs.)
(Another example.... Russia - visa required, unless you are returning immediately.)
Moderator - please delete these posts (including this one) and lets get back to premium fares.
EDIT: here is a link for the news: http://xwcb.eastday.com/c/20101201/u1a830803.html . It's in Chinese but google translate will do the work. It's a Canadian citizen, but I don't think US citizen works any better than Canadians.
#44
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
I am Chinese and I clearly remember that two years ago I read on a newspaper someone got fined on a US-PVG-US immediate return. Of course it's his stupidity to tell the immigration that he's doing US-PVG-US for miles without a visa since in practice most people doesn't care. But still, it's a YMMV situation.
EDIT: here is a link for the news: http://xwcb.eastday.com/c/20101201/u1a830803.html . It's in Chinese but google translate will do the work. It's a Canadian citizen, but I don't think US citizen works any better than Canadians.
EDIT: here is a link for the news: http://xwcb.eastday.com/c/20101201/u1a830803.html . It's in Chinese but google translate will do the work. It's a Canadian citizen, but I don't think US citizen works any better than Canadians.
Here's a relevant thread regarding denied entry to China.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...china-prc.html
Here's a case of a passenger who was entitled to travel through China on twov but was incorrectly denied boarding by the us carrier.
http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-this-...-china-anyway/
Last edited by anacapamalibu; Dec 17, 2012 at 8:59 am