Transit visas are for persons who are staying for a short period while in transit between two other countries. You must have residency in the destination country or have a valid visa for it. The fee appears to be the same as for a tourist visa, so check whether you might as well get a tourist visa instead.
Some airports do not have an international transfer area and you might have to collect your baggage and exit into the main area so you would expect to need a visa. However, in some instances the airport immigration officials will issue you with a 24 hour 'Stay Permit'. When you make bookings that look like you will not be checked straight through to your final destination you are advised to ask the airline or the agent, or contact a visa issuing consulate to check if a transit visa is required. See also Airline regulations
Visa Free Transit
1. No visa is required for foreigners who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airlines flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours and do not leave the airport.
2. Visas are not required for passport holders of the following 20 countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport or seaports of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas and tickets to the final destination and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours (going out of the airport is allowed): United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, New Zealand, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.
Requirements
1. Applicant's valid passport must have at least six months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.
2. One completed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China
3. One color passport standard photo (2X2 square inch) is glued or stapled on the application form.
4. A valid visa to the country of destination
5. An air ticket showing transit through China / airline ticket to the final destination
How to Apply
1. You can personally submit the application to the visa office of the Chinese Embassies, Consulates and other Chinese diplomatic missions which hold consular jurisdiction over your residence.
2. Or you can entrust someone else, a travel agency or a visa agency to act on your behalf if you can't come in person. Power of attorney is not required.
3. Mailed applications are not accepted by most of Chinese embassies or consulates in overseas.
4. No appointment is required.
Processing Time
1. The regular processing time is 4 working days
2. Express Service: 2-3 working days processing; US$ 20 will be charged per visa.
3. Rush Service: 1 working day processing; US$ 30 will be charged per visa.
Visa Fees
The visa fees are subject to your nationality and the number of entries. Please see the below fee table about applying for a transit visa in USA:
| Number of Entry | Validity | Duration of Stay | US Citizens | Citizens of Other Countries |
| Single | 3 months | 1 – 10 days | US$ 130 | US$ 30 |
| Double | 3 months | 1- 10 days (each entry) | US$ 130 | US$ 45 |
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Travelers' Voices on China Transit Visa
1.
Nov. 7,2009 01:12 Reply
Mr.Jim said:
My parents (with US passports) are flying from Seoul to Chicago through Beijing, with a layover of 3 hours. All of the flights are on the same ticket, but they fly into Beijing on Asiana and fly out on United. Do they need visas? Thank you.
2.
Nov. 3,2009 02:41 Reply
Ms.Jocelyn(Singapore ) said:
Hi I have a Singapore passport and am transiting at Shanghai (for 3 hours) before going to Korea (ICN). Can I go out of the immigration but still within the airport? Kindly help clarify as I would like to meet up with some friends.
Nov. 3,2009 19:59
Ms.HELPER(Canada) replied:
Singaporean passport holders are exempt from visa to China for 15 days.
3.
Jan. 12,2009 20:55 Reply
Mr.cawley(Australia) said:
I am travelling on an Australian passport. I have a flight arriving Shanghai 12 pm Wed and subsequent flight leaving 5.50pm Fri - will I be granted a G visa?
Jan. 14,2009 00:18
Ms.Lilian(China) replied:
Mr.cawley, will you arrive in Shanghai at 12 pm (midnight) or 12 pm (noon) on Wednesday. If you arrive in Shanghai at 12 pm (midnight) and leave 5:50pm On Friday, you needn't a visa because Australian passport holders who transit Shanghai for less than 48 hours (can go out of airport)
Nov. 2,2009 12:19
Mr.Ben(New Zealand) replied:
Hi Ms. Lilian,
I was wondering if you knew if the same was true for New Zealand passport holders? I am in transit in Shanghai for 23 hours, would like to perhaps explore the city very briefly instead of sitting at the airport...but seems like an aweful lot of work to get a visa for one day? Any suggestions would be most appreciated, cheers, Ben.
Nov. 2,2009 22:42
Mr.Howar replied:
Mr ben, the rule is the same for New Zealand passport holders.
4.
Oct. 28,2009 23:00 Reply
Ms.charisma(philippines) said:
hi im from philippines and i am going to chicago but i want to stay in beijing or shanghai for 2-3 days,do i need transit visa?
Oct. 29,2009 04:44
Mr.Zachary replied:
Yes, you do.
5.
Oct. 27,2009 09:18 Reply
Ms.Iris (Malaysia) said:
Hi,
I'm a Malaysian and is flying to Chicago via Shanghai. I'm expecting to reach Pudong Airport at 8th Nov, approximately 2pm and will be flying off to Chicago at 4.30pm on the same day. Do I require a Transit Visa? Please advise urgently. Thanks alot.
Oct. 27,2009 21:17
Mrs.Beatrice replied:
if you just stay with the airport, you won't need any visa.
6.
Oct. 2,2009 23:12 Reply
Mr.CARLOP(US) said:
HI,
I AM GOING THRU BEIJING AND I WAS WONDERING IF I NEED A TRANSIT VISA?? I WAS TOLD I DO AND WAS ALSO TOLD I DONT?? I AM LITTLE CONFUSED?? I AM FLYING FROM DUBAI TO SEOUL..PLEASE HELP
Oct. 8,2009 01:25
Mr.Oscar replied:
Please tell me how many hours you will stay at Beijing Airport and weather you will go out of the Beijing airport or not.
7.
Oct. 4,2009 08:49 Reply
Mr.ali raza(pakistan) said:
hello i need transit visa for woking china
Oct. 6,2009 02:33
Mr.Noel replied:
what's the meaning? Where will you transit?
8.
Sep. 2,2009 08:57 Reply
Mr.Fred Sigworth(USA) said:
Could you clarify what you mean (in the case of Visa Free Transit rules) by "do not leave the airport."? Does this mean that I have to stay within the transit area of the airport? Or can I go elsewhere in the airport to meet with friends who come to the airport to visit me?
Sep. 2,2009 21:11
Mrs.Aimee replied:
You can go else where within the airport.
9.
Aug. 18,2009 06:20 Reply
Mr.rizwan kafait(pakistan) said:
hello sir ineed a transit visa i have all paper ur requierd
Aug. 18,2009 20:07
Mr.Michael replied:
Then apply for th4e visa from the embassy with the required paper.
10.
Jul. 16,2009 14:13 Reply
Mrs.Janet(Spain) said:
How far in advance of my trip to China can I apply for a visa? Is there a time limit?
Jul. 17,2009 02:06
Ms.Bettty(Singapore) replied:
1 month before your trip, at least 2 weeks before your trip. If you apply for visa too early, your visa will be void before your trip because Chinese visa is generally valid for three months. if you apply too late, you will have to pay extra money for express service.