China extends Transit Without Visa to 6 days for Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing

[RooFlyer]

OMATA has reported that the city cluster Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing will be allowing a 6 day transit without visa. Entry and exit via any of the three cities.

As an aside, is it correct that HKG is treated as a 'third city' airport? For instance SYD-Xian-xHKG-SYD would be permitted under the existing 72 hour TWOV rule?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OMATA has reported that the city cluster Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing will be allowing a 6 day transit without visa. Entry and exit via any of the three cities.

As an aside, is it correct that HKG is treated as a 'third city' airport? For instance SYD-Xian-xHKG-SYD would be permitted under the existing 72 hour TWOV rule?

Not in effect yet though! There has been talk about 6 days for some time now, but no firm date has been proposed (and even then, it has to filter through to TIMATIC before a passenger could actually use it).

Hong Kong and Macau SARs are both considered third countries for TWOV purposes.

SYD-Xi'an-HKG would be eligible for 72 hour TWOV provided both SYD-XIY and XIY-HKG were non-stop. If there is a technical stop or connecting flight to get to/from XIY you would be limited to 24 hours.

'Technical' stops are common in China, and the stop may or may not show on itineraries or flight summaries. If you get caught out, immigration will either refuse entry, or force you to change your ticket to be compliant.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
Hong Kong and Macau SARs are both considered third countries for TWOV purposes.

SYD-Xi'an-HKG would be eligible for 72 hour TWOV provided both SYD-XIY and XIY-HKG were non-stop. If there is a technical stop or connecting flight to get to/from XIY you would be limited to 24 hours.

<snip>.

Thanks. So does that mean SYD-xSIN-XIY on two different SQ flights within 24 hrs and then XIY-xHKG-SYD after 2 days in Xian would not qualify for 72 hr visa (due to the transit in SIN on the way over)? Can't see why ... I still am only 'transiting' China, even though one flight comes from SIN. Or did you mean no stops in China on the way to Xian and onto HKG?

 

[sinophile888]

I feel very happy when I have an annual multi-entry for China in my passport.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks. So does that mean SYD-xSIN-XIY on two different SQ flights within 24 hrs and then XIY-xHKG-SYD after 2 days in Xian would not qualify for 72 hr visa (due to the transit in SIN on the way over)? Can't see why ... I still am only 'transiting' China, even though one flight comes from SIN. Or did you mean no stops in China on the way to Xian and onto HKG?

The key point as you point out is that China must be a 'transit' to a third country. You cannot arrive from and depart to the same country. On that basis, SIN-XIY-HKG is fine (assuming all sectors are non-stop).

However, other stops outside of China will affect TWOV. For example, you can't fly SYD-HKG-XIY-HKG-SYD, because the HKG-XIY-HKG portion is arriving and departing to the same country.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I feel very happy when I have an annual multi-entry for China in my passport.

I feel ecstatic every time I pull the APEC card from my travel wallet! You can't qualify for one sp?

 

[sinophile888]

I feel ecstatic every time I pull the APEC card from my travel wallet! You can't qualify for one sp?

I'm not sure what qualifications are needed.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I'm not sure what qualifications are needed.

Google it - express access to immig in APEC member ports such a bonus

 

[sinophile888]

Unfortunately, we are just poor superannuants with a little supplementary contract income. So not business travelers. However, we now qualify for the seniors queue which is often much faster.

 

[RooFlyer]

The key point as you point out is that China must be a 'transit' to a third country. You cannot arrive from and depart to the same country. On that basis, SIN-XIY-HKG is fine (assuming all sectors are non-stop).

However, other stops outside of China will affect TWOV. For example, you can't fly SYD-HKG-XIY-HKG-SYD, because the HKG-XIY-HKG portion is arriving and departing to the same country.

Thanks. Yep, got all that, no worries. Trip planned is SYD-xSIN-XIY 2 days XIY-xHKG-SYD . Hoping for SQ suite on the way up.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks. Yep, got all that, no worries. Trip planned is SYD-xSIN-XIY 2 days XIY-xHKG-SYD . Hoping for SQ suite on the way up.

I thought you were across it - I added the additional info for others who may be interested on using TWOV

The main issue with these changes is the flow through to TIMATIC which is used by check-in staff. The city of Nanjing has supposedly been on the 72 hour TWOV list since September 10 this year but still doesn't appear on TIMATIC. As such I suspect passengers would have a hard time trying to even board their plane at origin.

 

[hummel]

Question for China 72hr Visa experts.

Boss is currently in MNL. On Sunday he has booked a MNL-CAN flight and then two days later has booked a seperate CAN-SIN-MEL flight. Is he eligble for the 72hr visa? I have a feeling he isn't because the MNL-CAN flight is not on the same booking as CAN-SIN-MEL?

Has just realised his annual Visa has expired and asked me to look into it...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

As far as I know YES - provided you have valid ticket showing dep date within time frame my understanding is that will be fine - MEL will know for sure.

 

[hummel]

As far as I know YES - provided you have valid ticket showing dep date within time frame my understanding is that will be fine - MEL will know for sure.

I knew either yourself or MEL would reply.

Have to look into the whole APEC card thing, but somehow I don't think we can qualify. Import 2-3 containers every month our of MNL/CAN - but there is only two us that handle it..

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Have to look into the whole APEC card thing, but somehow I don't think we can qualify. Import 2-3 containers every month our of MNL/CAN - but there is only two us that handle it..

Absolutely you can pursue APEC - you can easily qualify if you are consistent imports and your number of international trips to inspect product.

I have APEC so never really take much notice of TVOA or other visa matters.

 

[hummel]

Absolutely you can pursue APEC - you can easily qualify if you are consistent imports and your number of international trips to inspect product.

Ta, will try and get the ball rolling. Between myself and the boss we did 12 trips last year.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Question for China 72hr Visa experts.

Boss is currently in MNL. On Sunday he has booked a MNL-CAN flight and then two days later has booked a seperate CAN-SIN-MEL flight. Is he eligble for the 72hr visa? I have a feeling he isn't because the MNL-CAN flight is not on the same booking as CAN-SIN-MEL?

Has just realised his annual Visa has expired and asked me to look into it...

There is no requirement for same ticket for TWOV purposes. Separate tickets are fine. You just need to show the onward tickets at checkin at Manila.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

hummel what type of Visa did your boss hold? Tourist? Isn't their multiple entry business visa? This type of thing not likely to trip him up MEL?

 

[hummel]

hummel what type of Visa did your boss hold? Tourist? Isn't their multiple entry business visa? This type of thing not likely to trip him up MEL?

When I say boss, I mean dad We tag team on visits to check on our goods essentially.

Yeah his annual visa expired start of February and didn't realise until he was over in MNL.