China 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Foreigners eligible for the 24-hour visa-free transit can be exempt from border inspection procedures at the following 9 airports: Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing Daxing Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, Xiamen Gaoqi Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an Airport, Chengdu Tianfu Airport, and Xi’an Xianyang Airport.24-hour visa-free transit in China, also called the 24-hour transit without visa (24-hour TWOV for short), regulates that visa is not required for air, train, and cruise ship passengers transiting in mainland China for a stay of no more than 24 hours before heading for a third country or region.
Who are eligible for the 24-hour TWOV of China?
National of most countries are eligible for the 24-hour visa-free transit, while there are exceptions in certain airports for some nationalities.
1. Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Yemen passport holders transiting in Xiamen require a visa.
2. Syrian citizens transiting in Guangzhou are not eligible for the 24-hour visa-free transit.
What are the port restrictions?
Citizens from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey and Yemen are not eligible for 24-hour visa-free transit in Urumqi Diwopu International Airport.
If transiting in Guangzhou for less than 24 hours, you are able to apply for the 24-hour TWOV from Guangzhou Baiyun airport instead of its railway stations or other ports of entry. That is, only entering Guangzhou by air, you would be issued the 24h visa-free transit under qualified travel itinerary.
What is an eligible transit route?
 |
| 24-hour Direct Transit Rules |
An eligible transit route goes like Country A → China → Country C.
A and C are different countries. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan can be regarded as A or C in this respect. For instance, if a passenger travels like USA – Beijing – Hong Kong, there is no doubt that this route qualifies for China 24 hour TWOV.
Generally speaking, the 24-hour visa-free transit allows aliens to have multiple stops in China as long as they leave the country within 24 hours, therefore the route USA - Beijing - Shanghai - South Korea also counts as eligible.
What are the requirements for TWOV?
Passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry Onward air, cruise or train ticket with confirmed seat and date Visa for a third country or region (if needed)
Can I get out of the airport during layover?
Passengers wishing to get out of the restricted transit area to claim luggage, take a connecting flight, or do some sightseeing in the city can apply for the 24-hour visa-free entry permit, which is a stamp or sticker on passport showing the permitted stay length.
Apply for 24-hour visa-free entry permit in 4 steps
Fill an Arrival/Departure Card at the border inspection counter Get the temporary entry permit stamp or sticker Claim the luggage (if needed) Go through the customs
How to count the stopover time?
Ending: scheduled departure time
Recommended Tours for Transit Passengers
Differences among 24/72/144-hour free transit
| 24-Hour TWOV | 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit | 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit |
|---|---|---|
| For almost all countries | For 54 countries | For 54 countries |
| Available in most Chinese cities | Available in major Chinese cities | Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Dalian, Shenyang, Chengdu, Wuhan, Qingdao, Kunming, Xiamen, Xi'an, Chongqing |
| By air, cruise, train | By air | By air, cruise, train |
| Counted from the landing time | Counted from 0:00 the day following the entry date (Scheduled landing time in Beijing) | Counted from 0:00 the day following the entry date |
| Multiple stops | Single stop | Multiple stops |
Note:Note that if 1) you lack any of the required documents listed above, 2) or your route does not qualify, 3) or you have the record of overstaying in a country or getting visa refusal before, your application for the 24-hour visa-free transit may be turned down. For fear of inconvenience caused by such case, please make sure that you are eligible or apply for a regular transit visa in advance.
- Last updated on Sep. 07, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Asked by Kristyna from GERMANY | Sep. 11, 2024 05:02
Reply
Reply24h TWOV
Hi
we are fyling from Germany to Manila - with 2 stops in China. First one in Sehnyang - this is only a technical stop i am not even sure if we need to leave the aircraft as we fly with the same flightnumber to Guangzhou.
In Guangzhou we have a layover of 1 1/2 hour.
In total we're less then 24h in China with both stopss - so the 24h TWOV would be finde right? Passholder are German und Czech
Thank you so much !
we are fyling from Germany to Manila - with 2 stops in China. First one in Sehnyang - this is only a technical stop i am not even sure if we need to leave the aircraft as we fly with the same flightnumber to Guangzhou.
In Guangzhou we have a layover of 1 1/2 hour.
In total we're less then 24h in China with both stopss - so the 24h TWOV would be finde right? Passholder are German und Czech
Thank you so much !
Answers (2)
Answered by Borut | Sep. 11, 2024 23:55
0
0Reply
00ReplyPart 1:
Kristyna, since you are the citizen of Germany, you should know that you can enter China absolutely visa free for a period of 15 days, so you should not bother yourself with all the stuff related to visa free transit and similar. All you need is your passport, almost in the same way as you were traveling from the Germany to the UK. Here you will only fill out the arrival card that will be dispensed on board the plane that will bring you to the first and here you will tick a transit as a purpose of your arrival in China.
When you land in the first point of arrival, in your case in Shenyang, you will cross the immigration in order to catch your following flight that will be a domestic one regardless of the fact that this will be almost certainly the same aircraft. Upon arrival in the second point in China in your case in Guangzhou, you will just cross the immigration in order to exit China and to reach the gate for your flight to Manila.
Basically, this is it. You can really be relaxed since you are not a subject of any visa or visa free transit regulation because you have right to stay for up to 15 days in China visa free. Have a nice journey.
Kristyna, since you are the citizen of Germany, you should know that you can enter China absolutely visa free for a period of 15 days, so you should not bother yourself with all the stuff related to visa free transit and similar. All you need is your passport, almost in the same way as you were traveling from the Germany to the UK. Here you will only fill out the arrival card that will be dispensed on board the plane that will bring you to the first and here you will tick a transit as a purpose of your arrival in China.
When you land in the first point of arrival, in your case in Shenyang, you will cross the immigration in order to catch your following flight that will be a domestic one regardless of the fact that this will be almost certainly the same aircraft. Upon arrival in the second point in China in your case in Guangzhou, you will just cross the immigration in order to exit China and to reach the gate for your flight to Manila.
Basically, this is it. You can really be relaxed since you are not a subject of any visa or visa free transit regulation because you have right to stay for up to 15 days in China visa free. Have a nice journey.
Answered by Borut | Sep. 12, 2024 00:0100Reply
00ReplyPart 2:
Your Czech citizen will have to undergone a slightly different procedure, although nothing to worry about.
Upon landing in Shenyang the very thing she/he will do is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter. It is possible that you will be instructed slightly different, but this is the order. So, she/he will present her/his flight itinerary and apply for a temporary entry permit because the next flight is a domestic one. This application is free of any charge and after a short check a permit will be granted. You can follow your friend all the time,l but you will not apply for a permit.
When the permit is granted, she/he will cross the immigration and you will both continue with your flight to Guangzhou. When you land in Guangzhou, you will just head straight to the exit immigration in order to catch the flight to Manila. You will not perform any other formality.
As you can see, your Czech friend will have just one step more, that application at Shenyang airport for a temporary entry permit, but this is all. You can proceed normally, absolutely visa free. Have a nice journey.
Your Czech citizen will have to undergone a slightly different procedure, although nothing to worry about.
Upon landing in Shenyang the very thing she/he will do is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter. It is possible that you will be instructed slightly different, but this is the order. So, she/he will present her/his flight itinerary and apply for a temporary entry permit because the next flight is a domestic one. This application is free of any charge and after a short check a permit will be granted. You can follow your friend all the time,l but you will not apply for a permit.
When the permit is granted, she/he will cross the immigration and you will both continue with your flight to Guangzhou. When you land in Guangzhou, you will just head straight to the exit immigration in order to catch the flight to Manila. You will not perform any other formality.
As you can see, your Czech friend will have just one step more, that application at Shenyang airport for a temporary entry permit, but this is all. You can proceed normally, absolutely visa free. Have a nice journey.
Asked by Sheila from NETHERLANDS | Sep. 10, 2024 10:51Reply
Reply2 transits in China
Hello,
We are Dutch passport holders and will fly gewoon Amsterdam to Australia. We'll be making 2 stop overs/transits in China within 24 hours.
Are we eligible for the 24 hr visa if we make 2 stops instead of 1? We have less than 2 hours during our first stop. Do we have time to arrange that visa free permit?
Next question. What to do if our flight gets delayed and we miss the connecting flight?
Thank you!
What if we are delighted
We are Dutch passport holders and will fly gewoon Amsterdam to Australia. We'll be making 2 stop overs/transits in China within 24 hours.
Are we eligible for the 24 hr visa if we make 2 stops instead of 1? We have less than 2 hours during our first stop. Do we have time to arrange that visa free permit?
Next question. What to do if our flight gets delayed and we miss the connecting flight?
Thank you!
What if we are delighted
Asked by Danny from SCOTLAND UK | Sep. 10, 2024 08:53Reply
ReplyFlight in train out
Hi
What do I need if I arrive from Uk on flight to Beijing then plan to travel by train from Beijing to Hong Kong within 24 hours ?
What do I need if I arrive from Uk on flight to Beijing then plan to travel by train from Beijing to Hong Kong within 24 hours ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Sep. 10, 2024 23:3300Reply
00ReplyYour itinerary is definitely eligible for 24/144 hour visa free transit valid for wider Beijing area. However, you cannot use a train for Beijing to Hong Kong segment. The reason is in the fact that only the conventional, overnight trains were eligible for such an option because of the border crossing facility at the Beijing station where they departed from, however since the conventional trains were replaced by high speed trains departing from the station that does not have a border crossing facility, that trains are currently not eligible for this visa free transit option. They can be used for those using 144 hour visa free transit in Guangdong province to reach Hong Kong, but this is limited just for that particular region. In other words, you will have to fly from Beijing to Hong Kong. Have a nice journey.
Asked by Polly Anne from UNITED KINGDOM | Sep. 10, 2024 08:33Reply
ReplyLondon to Bangkok with a 18hr layover in Shanghai
Hi guys can anyone advise please.
I am due to arrive in china as I am flying air china to Thailand on the 4th. We, a family of three arrive at 6am, the airline booked us a hotel as our layover is more than 6 hours free of charge which is wonderful.
As we have proof of connecting flight and a hotel reservation with transfers will we be allowed to exit the airport to reach our hotel then return on the evening?
Best wishes
I am due to arrive in china as I am flying air china to Thailand on the 4th. We, a family of three arrive at 6am, the airline booked us a hotel as our layover is more than 6 hours free of charge which is wonderful.
As we have proof of connecting flight and a hotel reservation with transfers will we be allowed to exit the airport to reach our hotel then return on the evening?
Best wishes
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Sep. 10, 2024 23:3800Reply
00ReplyYes, you will be granted a temporary entry permit in order to exit the airport and to have a good rest in the hotel since your layover is really a long one.
The first thing you will do upon landing in Shanghai is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit in order to be allowed to exit the airport. This application is free of any charge and here you will present your flight itinerary as well as your hotel accommodation booking. After a short check, your permit will be granted and you will head toward the immigration to exit the airport.
Basically, this is it and I wish you a pleasant journey.
The first thing you will do upon landing in Shanghai is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit in order to be allowed to exit the airport. This application is free of any charge and here you will present your flight itinerary as well as your hotel accommodation booking. After a short check, your permit will be granted and you will head toward the immigration to exit the airport.
Basically, this is it and I wish you a pleasant journey.
Asked by Sheila from NETHERLANDS | Sep. 10, 2024 03:33Reply
Reply2 transits in China: still 24 hr visa?
We're Dutch passport holders, flying from Amsterdam to Australia. We have 2 stop overs in China (within 24 hours). Is this also an eligible transit route (as we have 2 stops) for the 24 hrs visa free transit? Do we have to do anything upon arrival (as we only have 2 hours for our first connecting flight).
And here comes my second question. What if our flight is delayed and we miss our second flight. What do we have to do then visa wise?
We're travelling with children, so I want this to be as stress free as possible by coming prepared.
Thanks so much!
And here comes my second question. What if our flight is delayed and we miss our second flight. What do we have to do then visa wise?
We're travelling with children, so I want this to be as stress free as possible by coming prepared.
Thanks so much!
Answers (3)
Answered by Borut | Sep. 10, 2024 23:3000Reply
00ReplySheila, since you are the citizens of Netherlands, you should know that you can enter China absolutely visa free for a period of 15 days, so you should not bother yourself with all the stuff related to visa free transit and similar. All you need is your passport, almost in the same way as you were traveling from the Netherlands to the UK. Here you will only fill out the arrival cards that will be dispensed on board the plane that will bring you to the first and here you will tick a transit as a purpose of your arrival in China.
When you land in the first point of arrival, you will cross the immigration in order to catch your following flight that will be a domestic one. Upon arrival in the second point in China, you will just cross the immigration in order to exit China and to reach the gate for your flight to Australia.
Basically, this is it. You can really be relaxed since you are not a subject of any visa or visa free transit regulation because you have right to stay for up to 15 days in China visa free. Have a nice journey.
When you land in the first point of arrival, you will cross the immigration in order to catch your following flight that will be a domestic one. Upon arrival in the second point in China, you will just cross the immigration in order to exit China and to reach the gate for your flight to Australia.
Basically, this is it. You can really be relaxed since you are not a subject of any visa or visa free transit regulation because you have right to stay for up to 15 days in China visa free. Have a nice journey.
Answered by Sheila | Sep. 11, 2024 04:1500Reply
00ReplyThank you so much!! This is wonderful to know and will definitely help to make our flight stress free.
Do you happen to know if we have to collect our luggage to the domestic flight and then again for our final flight? No worries if you don't, but I am finding conflict information online.
Do you happen to know if we have to collect our luggage to the domestic flight and then again for our final flight? No worries if you don't, but I am finding conflict information online.
Answered by Borut | Sep. 11, 2024 23:5000Reply
00ReplySheila, if your flight itinerary is booked under one ticket (one transaction), then your luggage will be tagged all the way to the final destination and you will be free from thinking about this particular detail. In any case, you will confirm about this detail at the time of check-in in Amsterdam.