warning - double check advice offered by Visalink

[MEL_Traveller]

Discussion in another thread which included reference to Webjet prompted me to look at Webjet's terms and conditions... part of which included a link to a visa service offered by Visalink (.com.au).

Selecting 'China', and 'transit', the information returned was only partially correct meaning they'd potentially sell you a visa when you don't need one. The accompanying 'warning' about transit without visa, while technically not incorrect, is phrased in such a way that it discourages use of the benefit and would likely make most people buy a visa they don't need.

Incorrect information: details about 24 hour transit without visa.

The warning:

[FONT=&amp]Please note that severe restrictions apply and travellers on this program must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival and they are not permitted to travel beyond the administrative precincts of these cities. Travellers must depart from the same city they arrived into.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]If interested in pursuing this option it is recommended that you review your potential eligibility with the Embassy/Consulate and confirm that boarding without a visa is permitted by your airline. [/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]The Embassy/Consulate of China advises that travellers who violate any of the Transit Without Visa regulations will be banned from entering China in the future. [/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]To minimize the risk of refusal of entry CIBT recommends that travellers obtain a visa in advance.[/FONT]

Yes you have to register with police within 24 hours, but this is done automatically for you by any hotel you stay in. There is absolutely nothing the tourist has to do (staying with friends would be a different matter).

Yes you must stay within the administrative precincts of the city - but these are actually huge. For Beijing it includes part of the Great Wall. You're not limited to a few streets in the CBD. Banning from the country? It's a possibility if you try to cheat the system, but an unnecessary fearful warning for most intending travellers.

having a visa will always minimise the risk of entry being refused, but it's unnecessary in the case of TWOV for China.

Bottom line - if you are using Visalink services, double check via other means whether you really do need a visa (for any country, not just China). It could save you a lot of time, money and burden.

 

[moa999]

Would have thought the main warning should be that a straight return eg SYD-PEK-SYD is not a transit.

And constructing a SYD-PEK-HKG-SYD trip (which would qualify for the TWOV) is probably more expensive than just getting a visa (particularly with recent Qantas sales to Beijing and Shanghai).

Also prevents you from taking any internal China flights which can limit choice of airlines.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting they have now modified their 'warning' to remove the bit about police registration.

But they are still incorrect about the conditions of the 24 hour TWOV, stating passengers must:

• Continue their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, and remain within the direct airside transit area of the airport without having to clear Customs and Immigration

That is 100% incorrect.

They have a warning that you cannot be returning to the country you originated from.