Whether you’re visiting China for the first time or the hundredth, the experience can be overwhelming at times. Any seasoned business traveler will know there are always ways of improving their travel experience. Enjoying the perks of visa-free travel in China is one simple way to improve your travels. If you’re heading east soon, you might be eligible for travel without a visa – here’s what you need to know.
Visa-Free Travel In China For Business
Almost every foreign visitor to China requires a visa. These can be obtained from the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy before you depart. If you’re traveling to Hong Kong or Macau, you’ll likely be able to enter visa-free for a limited period (commonly up to 90 days for many nationalities). However, if you wish to enter Mainland China, you’ll usually require a visa, which you may be able to apply for in Hong Kong while you’re there.
Luckily, there are a few ways in which you may be able to travel to Mainland China without a visa (for a few days). China’s State Council has authorized China’s transit without visa (TWOV) program in order to promote international travel through its ports, specifically for business travel. This is extremely convenient for short trips into China, like for a trade fair or meeting. It’ll save you both time and money and make China more accessible than ever.
You’ll still technically need a visa to enter China. This program allows you to obtain a Chinese transit visa upon arrival, and it’s absolutely free. Here’s how it works.
24-Hour Direct Transit
Under the “24-hour visa-free travel in China” transit rule, no visa is required. This visa is for foreigners who have booked seats on international airlines, ships, or trains, and who transit through mainland China holding tickets to a third country (so long as their stay is less than 24 hours).
If you wish to leave the port to do some sightseeing or transfer to another port within that 24-hour window, you may do so by applying for a temporary permit at the immigration counter. You may also transit in more than one city in China within 24 hours. To prevent any inconveniences, arrange your airport transfers or hourly hire car service before arriving. This policy applies to almost all nationalities, though a small number of countries are excluded and still need a visa even for transit, so always check the latest rules for your passport.
72-Hour Transit Visa
This policy is applicable to transit passengers from 53 countries (listed below) and allows them to stay for up to 72 hours (3 days) in 18 China cities.
Europe: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom.
North & South America: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
Asia & Middle East: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
If you’re travelling to China and have an onward ticket to a third destination, you’re eligible for the 72-hour transit visa. Meaning, if you’re traveling from New York to Bangkok via Shanghai, you’ll have permission to stay in China for 72 hours visa-free.
The policy is only valid in the following 18 cities in China:
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, Xian, Guilin, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, Nanjing, Qingdao, and Changsha.
Insider tip: Declare to the airline of your departing country at the check-in or boarding gate of your intention to use the transit visa. This way, airport customs will already have been informed of your request before your landing. Once you’ve informed the airline, they’ll give you an arrival/departure card either at the airport or on the flight to fill out. If you don’t receive one, make sure to ask for it.
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144-Hour Transit Visa
After the 72-hour visa implementation became so popular, China decided to create a 144-hour transit visa policy. As of January 2016, these 6-day visas have been facilitated for international tourists and business travelers in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. This transit visa applies to the same countries as the 72-hour visa, and the qualification rules remain the same.
An advantage of the 144-hour visa is that Shanghai has multiple ports of entry that qualify for a transit visa. You can move freely between Shanghai, Jiangsu (Nanjing), and Zhejiang (Hangzhou) for 6 days without requiring a visa during your layover period. The following ports are eligible for transit:
- Shanghai: Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Wusong Passenger Transport Center and all railway stations in Shanghai.
- Zhejiang: Hangzhou Airport (HGH).
- Jiangsu: Nanjing Airport (NKG).
As mentioned before, the same qualification rules apply as for the 72-hour visa, which means the same documentation and process of obtaining the visa at the airport. There’ll once again be a clear indication of where the 144-hour transit visa section is located. Remember to also register at a local police station within 24 hours of obtaining your visa.
Insider tip: If, for some reason, you have to go to other cities or can’t leave within the allowed transit period, go to the local Public Security Bureau and apply for a normal visa. In addition to being able to enjoy visa-free travel in China in the above-mentioned locations, tourists traveling in groups can also enjoy a number of visa-free days when visiting Hainan Province and the Pearl River Delta. If you’re heading to beach destinations like Sanya or Haikou, check the latest group visa-exemption rules before you travel.
Note: Since this transit program was first introduced, Chinese authorities have expanded visa-free transit to more ports and slightly more countries, and in many cases have extended the maximum stay from 72/144 hours up to 240 hours (10 days). Because these rules change over time, always confirm the latest official policy for your nationality and port of entry before you finalize your itinerary.
So What Documentation Do You Need?
- Valid Passport
- Onward ticket with seat confirmation
- Visa for 3rd country (if needed)
- A fully completed Arrival/Departure Card
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain your transit visa upon arrival in China:
- After disembarking, follow the clear signs that will lead you to the transit visa processing information desk.
- Apply for the visa in person and present your passport and onward ticket.
- After approval, confirm the information on the stamp and make sure it includes the date and time by which you must depart.
- Collect your luggage.
- Clear customs and proceed to your airport transfer or onward transport.
Insider tip: It’s important for you to register with a nearby police station within 24 hours of arrival in order to avoid fines or deportation. Most hotels offer this registration service when you check in, so make sure you inquire about this beforehand.
The 72 hours (or 144 hours, where applicable) begin at midnight on the day you arrive in China. Meaning, if you arrive in the morning on October 20th, your clock will only start ticking at 00:00 on October 21st. You’ll then have the full period to return. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport for check-in and boarding time – overstaying can incur fines or cause deportation.
You must usually enter and exit China from the same airport, with the exception of Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, where you’re allowed to enter or leave from any port in Shanghai, Nanjing Lukou Airport, or Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport. Remember that Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are considered third regions, so if you’re traveling to one of those locations, you may also obtain a transit visa under these rules.
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