China 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

[Foreigner]

Comprehensive info relating to visa-free entry into certain China ports:

FAQs on 72-Hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Dalian

 

[Austman]

Comprehensive info relating to visa-free entry into certain China ports:

FAQs on 72-Hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Dalian

Not a bad site. But comprehensive?
I couldn't see where it stated that applicants arriving in Guangzhou (CAN) are actually allowed to go anywhere within Guangdong. That was vital info in my case.

 

[Foreigner]

Not a bad site. But comprehensive?
I couldn't see where it stated that applicants arriving in Guangzhou (CAN) are actually allowed to go anywhere within Guangdong. That was vital info in my case.

Hmm...it's all relative to me. The FAQs in the link provided me more useful info than elsewhere.

 

[Austman]

Hmm...it's all relative to me. The FAQs in the link provided me more useful info than elsewhere.

I found this to be better for Guangzhou (but also generally) especially if you also follow the link to the FAQs:
http://www.csair.com/en/tourguide/airport_service/transfers/stay_peimit_procedure72.shtml

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The thread doesn't cover flights which may not be non-stop to your final destination in China. For example the MEL-PVG-PEK on the CA178 is not eligible for 72 hour TWOV in PEK (even though your ticket may make no mention of the stop in PVG). And there are several other flights covered by this.

There are also some more restrictive rules for US passport holders in respect of certain Chinese cities.

TIMATIC remains the best source of up to date information regarding TWOV in China.

it is worth noting the Qantas web site provides a link to visa eligibility which provides incorrect information regarding TWOV eligibility in china. An initial call to the QF service centre also returned an incorrect determination on visa requirements, although this was later corrected (but only because we knew the rules, not the agent). The airport had no issues accepting TWOV.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Note, effective immediately, TWOV rules have changed to increase the total allowed time in some Chinese cities.

For Beijing (PEK), Chongqing (CKG), Guangzhou (CAN), Hangzhou (HGH), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai Pudong(PVG) or Xi'an (XIY) the 72-hour period is now calculated from 00:01 the day after arrival.
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This effectively gives you another day to explore those cities if you arrive early on the first morning.

Other chinese cites (Chengdu (CTU), Dalian (DLC), Guilin (KWL), Kunming (KMG), Shenyang (SHE)) have retained, for now, the 72 hour period in calculated by scheduled arrival and departure.

24 hour TWOV is not affected by these changes.

As always, refer to TIMATIC for the latest visa information.

 

[Danger]

Exactly what web address do people use for Timatic? I can never get it to work.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Exactly what web address do people use for Timatic? I can never get it to work.

It's generally accessible through a range of airline sites (links via their visas page).

here is the one from the Star Alliance website: Visa And Health - Star Alliance

Note the link provided on the Qantas site to the IATA travel centre should NOT be used as it returns incorrect information.