China announces visa-free travel for Australians visiting up to 30 days (previously 15 days)

[RSD]

At least the newer R series passports have a much more robust photo page (also containing the chip).

The P series is much more flimsy and has a separate chip page - always worried me scanning it continually.

I do hope most countries eventually move solely to or also accept a Passport card (like US citizens can use in Canada, Mexico and bits of Carribbean, and Irish citizens can use in most of the EU)

After a few trips to China even my R series passport is showing signs of wear!

 

[SYD]

After a few trips to China even my R series passport is showing signs of wear!

Carrying it around 24/7 can’t be good. I dusted off an old plastic PP cover from PPs past to offer some protection for this trip.

 

[RSD]

Carrying it around 24/7 can’t be good. I dusted off an old plastic PP cover from PPs past to offer some protection for this trip.

I think that it is more the constant opening it perfectly flat and inserting it into a machine that is the main cause of the wear. I would hate to think what would happen if one of those machines goes rogue and munches your passport! Mind you simply losing your phone in China would be a total disaster as everything is done through the apps.

 

[elanshin]

My 1 year old R series passport's photo page is a little bit loose now as well after a year of travel. I feel like it's not the most well made passport for longer term use.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Carrying it around 24/7 can’t be good. I dusted off an old plastic PP cover from PPs past to offer some protection for this trip.

You do not need to carry your PP 24/7 - that is just a total furphy - YES to access HRS you need PP to access stations - other than that very limited requirement.

I am currently in SH and PP has been locked in safe in room for the last week and I have been out and about every day

 

[SYD]

You do not need to carry your PP 24/7 - that is just a total furphy - YES to access HRS you need PP to access stations - other than that very limited requirement.

I am currently in SH and PP has been locked in safe in room for the last week and I have been out and about every day

But your not a tourist!

Literally everything I’ve just booked to visit requires a PP to enter…PITA quite frankly.

 

[Matt_01]

Australia travel visa waiver ends 31 Dec 2025 what's the likelihood it'll be extended as I'm looking at travelling in Jan 2026 or should I be organizing a visa...

Last time I checked (last year) you can only apply for a visa 90 days out.

You do not need to carry your PP 24/7 - that is just a total furphy - YES to access HRS you need PP to access stations - other than that very limited requirement.

I am currently in SH and PP has been locked in safe in room for the last week and I have been out and about every day

Agree I never really carried around my PP when I have been to China. In saying that I am heading back in a couple of weeks and have been advised I will have to carry my PP and travel permit at all times.

 

[SYD]

I think that it is more the constant opening it perfectly flat and inserting it into a machine that is the main cause of the wear. I would hate to think what would happen if one of those machines goes rogue and munches your passport! Mind you simply losing your phone in China would be a total disaster as everything is done through the apps.

I had an over enthusiastic Dutch immigration guy stamp my PP so hard it broke the chip…!

It was technically still valid but never worked again in Oz eGates… So had to get a replacement - at my cost!

 

[Flashback]

I had an over enthusiastic Dutch immigration guy stamp my PP so hard it broke the chip…!

It was technically still valid but never worked again in Oz eGates… So had to get a replacement - at my cost!

My chip failed after the passport was 6 months old, after a bit of back and forth I was able to get a replacement FOC. I had already used 45% of the pages in it, so it was a welcome bonus extra pages for me once the new one arrived (same expiry date / new start date) ......... which I pay for anyway, given the premium surcharge us overseas recipients have to pay!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

But your not a tourist!

Granted

 

[skylabsea]

My chip failed after the passport was 6 months old, after a bit of back and forth I was able to get a replacement FOC. I had already used 45% of the pages in it, so it was a welcome bonus extra pages for me once the new one arrived (same expiry date / new start date) ......... which I pay for anyway, given the premium surcharge us overseas recipients have to pay!

45% of pages in 6 months is impressive!
I wish they hadnt gotten rid of the extended passport variant

 

[RSD]

I had an over enthusiastic Dutch immigration guy stamp my PP so hard it broke the chip…!

It was technically still valid but never worked again in Oz eGates… So had to get a replacement - at my cost!

That's a bit crazy!

 

[markis10]

That's a bit crazy!

At least a replacement is around $200 or so

 

[SYD]

Agree I never really carried around my PP when I have been to China. In saying that I am heading back in a couple of weeks and have been advised I will have to carry my PP and travel permit at all times.

Fir those playing at home, they give you part of the arrival card back with your passport. One of the conditions is for anyone over 16yo to carry their passport or other travel document while in China.

 

[Chicken]

You do not need to carry your PP 24/7 - that is just a total furphy - YES to access HRS you need PP to access stations - other than that very limited requirement.

Incorrect.

From Australian government:

You must always carry identification and show it to the police if they ask for it.
Authorities will accept your passport or a Chinese residence card as forms of identity.
If you don't register your place of residence or carry identification, authorities can fine or detain you.

From UK government

You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities enforce this rule with regular spot-checks of foreign nationals’ documentation. If you’re staying in a hotel, they will register you when you check in.

Always carry your passport with you. Police carry out random checks, especially during periods of heightened security and major sporting or political events. They do not accept printed copies. Failure to produce your ID can lead to a fine or detention.

From New Zealand government:

New Zealanders in China are advised to carry their passport at all times. Police may undertake random checks and failure to provide identification may result in fines and detention.
If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, you should carry clear evidence that you have done so.
Even if you are travelling under China’s visa waiver programme, you must still register your place of residence with the Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China, or face fines and/or detention. Some hotels will complete this requirement on your behalf.

From Canadian government:

Police carry out random checks, and failure to produce proper identification could potentially lead to fines or detention.
- Carry adequate identification, such as a passport and valid visa or residence permit, at all times
- Keep a photocopy of your passport in case of its loss or seizure

In a country like China, government officials are always looking for something to do in order to justify the existence of their jobs. Don't give them a reason to justify, not just their job, but to justify a pay rise and a promotion.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Incorrect.

From Australian government:

You must always carry identification and show it to the police if they ask for it.
Authorities will accept your passport or a Chinese residence card as forms of identity.
If you don't register your place of residence or carry identification, authorities can fine or detain you.

From UK government

You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities enforce this rule with regular spot-checks of foreign nationals’ documentation. If you’re staying in a hotel, they will register you when you check in.

Always carry your passport with you. Police carry out random checks, especially during periods of heightened security and major sporting or political events. They do not accept printed copies. Failure to produce your ID can lead to a fine or detention.

From New Zealand government:

New Zealanders in China are advised to carry their passport at all times. Police may undertake random checks and failure to provide identification may result in fines and detention.
If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, you should carry clear evidence that you have done so.
Even if you are travelling under China’s visa waiver programme, you must still register your place of residence with the Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China, or face fines and/or detention. Some hotels will complete this requirement on your behalf.

From Canadian government:

Police carry out random checks, and failure to produce proper identification could potentially lead to fines or detention.
- Carry adequate identification, such as a passport and valid visa or residence permit, at all times
- Keep a photocopy of your passport in case of its loss or seizure

In a country like China, government officials are always looking for something to do in order to justify the existence of their jobs. Don't give them a reason to justify, not just their job, but to justify a pay rise and a promotion.

Oh FFS - what a crock of shyte

 

[Chicken]

Oh FFS - what a crock of shyte

It is BS 99.998% of the time, for 99.9998% of the visitors who enter; but ask the 0.0001% of foreigners who got caught, like:
- The two Michaels from Canada
- Five AstraZeneca staffs detained by China
- People who work in finance
- other industries

So, it is a bit of a pain to carry a passport; but is the hassle worth risking going to gaol for the next 10 years? It is up to each individual to decide. For me, it's not worth it.

And specifically, I had been asked multiple times for my passport when buying train tickets in China in 2018 2019. Not having passport would have been a pain, since I could not buy train tickets online as a foreigner.

And this doesn't just apply to China. You should exercise the same level of caution when going to any third world countries where corruption is common, and any police or authoritarian state where government officials are always looking for ways to justify their jobs.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And specifically, I had been asked multiple times for my passport when buying train tickets in China in 2018 2019. Not having passport would have been a pain, since I could not buy train tickets online as a foreigner.

Yes as posted multiple times to buy HSR tix you must enter your passport and you CANNOT enter HSR stations without your Passport - ie you cannot take trains outside subway systems without your Passport - all subways etc just buy tix and ride.

 

[Chicken]

Yes as posted multiple times to buy HSR tix you must enter your passport and you CANNOT enter HSR stations without your Passport - ie you cannot take trains outside subway systems without your Passport - all subways etc just buy tix and ride.

I remember I was in Beijing, but I don't think I was there to buy high speed rail, it may have been a normal train ticket.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I remember I was in Beijing, but I don't think I was there to buy high speed rail, it may have been a normal train ticket.

So what is a normal train ticket?