Passport holders of following the 51 countries can enjoy 72-hours visa-free Transit via Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU), Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG), Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE) and Dalian International Airport (DLC):
- Schengen Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. Switzerland
- Other European Countries: Albania,Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland, Macedonia, Republic of Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, UK, Ukraine
- America: US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
- Asia: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar
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For the most frequently asked questions about this policy concerned, we try to make a sweeping generalization here, and hope this is helpful.
What documents are required for passengers from the above 51 countries to benefit from this policy and apply for permits to go out of the airport?
Passengers are qualified to transit in those cities without visa only if they have valid passport or travel documents, as well as the confirmed flight ticket onward to the third country or region and valid visa (if required).
How and where can I apply for a transit permit if I plan to go out of the airport during my stopover?
You can put forward your request for transit to your airline in advance, so that the airline can declare this to the Immigration Inspection prior to your visit. You will be granted a transit permit at the airport if you meet all requirements. NOTE: Beijing Capital International Airport has now changed this procedure, passengers can apply directly for 72 hour free transit permit after arrival at the airport.
I plan to enter Shanghai first and then buy ticket to another country within 72 hours. Am I allowed entry and transit without visa?
According to the requirements, you must provide confirmed ticket to the third country or region when apply for the free transit permit. Otherwise, you can not enjoy this policy.
I have a flight ticket from New York to Shanghai, and a separate ticket back to Los Angles. May I use this 72 hour free transit?
The answer is NO. The place of departure and destination should not be in the same country or region. If you fly from New York to a third country via Shanghai, then you apply to this policy.
Am I allowed to visit other cities during my 72-hour free stay with transit permit? Or, if I can not depart within 3 days, what should I do?
You are not allowed to visit other cities during the transit. If you have to visit other cities, or you can not depart from the transit city within the 3 days allowed, then you should apply for a Chinese visa from local PSB.
I plan to take a flight to Beijing for 3 days, and then take Trans-Siberian train from there to Ulan Bator in Mongolia. Am I eligible for this trip?
Visa is required if you visit China this way. 72 hour free transit policy is for air passengers only. That is to say, you have to leave by air from the same airport. For passengers who plan to enter or leave China by train or cruise, they should apply for either Chinese transit (G type) or tourist (L type) in advance.
If the arrival and departure of flights is more than 72 hours, is it permissible remain in the airport for some of the time and go to the city for the 72 hours or is the timing form the flight times?
You are suggested to get a transit G in advance if the stopover is longer than 72 hours. Because there is a possibility that you may be denied boarding by airlines if you do not have the confirmed ticket for leaving within 72 hours (here the 72 hour can be simply calculated based on scheduled landing and scheduled departure of the flights).
If I understood correctly, even with this free transit policy for 72 hours, a transit permit has to be done at the airport when arriving? And this transit permit has to be then registered in a police station in the 24 next hours? What happens if my stay there is only of 20 hours? Can I save myself this registration which is probably time-consuming?
Yes, you are right, the transit permit should be done at the airport on arrival. But the registration will be done when you check into a hotel. It is not necessary to register yourself personally at the local police station.
Anyway, if you still have questions on 72 hour visa-free transit, please call Beijing Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-10-56095400, Shanghai Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-21-51105100, Guangzhou Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-20-81101991, Chengdu Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-28-85205555 for more information.
