Free transit policy for China
Spend 72 hours in Beijing or Shanghai without the need of a visa
Since January 1st, 2013 there has been a change in the visa restrictions for transiting in the Chinese cities Beijing and Shanghai. In order to facilitate your short stay, a visa-free transit policy has been introduced. This allows you to stay for up to 72 hours without visa on direct transit via Capital Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport and Hongqiao Airport. To not overstay your permit, it’s advised to make sure you have an onward flight within the 72 hours, counted from the scheduled time of landing.
Guangzhou and Chengdu
Soon, you will be able to use this free transit policy for traveling to Guangzhou and Chengdu too. As from the 1st of August 2013 you are allowed a 72 hours stopover when transiting through Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. The date for when this free transit policy will be applied on Chengdu Shuangliu Airport has not yet been set.
When you are a residence of one of the following countries, the free transit policy applies on you and you won’t be needing a visa for transiting at Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou:
Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
A full service transit zone
Currently, the airports have already optimized the transit formalities to save you hustle. There are service centers in the terminals, offering you resting places with drinking water and reading materials in case you choose not to leave the airport. The airports also provide services for currency exchange, mobile phone rental, car rental, left luggage, as well as local souvenir shops. If you are in the opportunity to do some sightseeing, tour buses are available from the terminals.
Requirements
To be considered entry without visa, you need to present a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. If the third country you are traveling to requires you to have a visa, you need to have this arranged before entering China. When traveling to a different destination within China or between Shanghai and Beijing (for example), the visa-free policy is not applicable. You need a passport which is valid until six months after returning in your country of residence.
