Jazmin Li
If you're wondering whether you can leave the airport during a layover in China, the answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, the length of your layover will determine how much time you have to explore. The first and last two hours of your layover will likely be spent on customs and immigration, so for a short layover of 8 hours or less, you may only have 4 hours of free time. Secondly, depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a 24-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit, which allows you to leave the airport and enter China without a visa. However, if you are not eligible for the visa-free program, you will need to apply for a transit visa, which must be done before arriving in China. Lastly, some airports offer activities for travellers during long layovers, so even if you can't leave the airport, you may still be able to enjoy some Chinese culture.
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What You'll Learn
Visa-free entry for 54 nationalities
China offers visa-free entry to 54 nationalities if you are transiting through the country to a third country. This is a significant upgrade from the previous 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies. Under the upgraded policy, eligible foreign travellers can stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) in certain Chinese cities without a visa.
The process is straightforward. You must fill in the arrival card provided on the plane and go through immigration. However, it is important to double-check the regulations and requirements for your nationality before travelling, as they can change.
To be eligible for visa-free entry, you must have a valid passport and, in some cases, an ordinary passport from one of the 54 countries. These countries include:
- 25 countries in the Europe Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
- 15 other countries in Europe: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Monaco.
- Several countries in Asia: Brunei, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand.
It is important to note that the visa-free transit policy does not allow travellers to visit any city in China. Eligible travellers must enter and exit China through specific ports and remain within the allowed cities and regions. Additionally, travellers must have a confirmed interline ticket (connecting ticket) with a confirmed departure date and seat number for a third country or region within 240 hours.
Some countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, and Georgia, have mutual visa-free entry policies with China, allowing their nationals to enter and stay in the country for up to 30 days. However, Thai and Georgian nationals are restricted to a total stay of 90 days within 180 days.
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Visa requirements for longer stays
If you are planning a layover in China, the length of your intended stay will determine the type of visa you need. For stays of up to 24 hours, travellers from most countries can enter China without a visa. This is known as the TWOV (Transit Without Visa) program. However, it is important to note that this policy does not allow travellers to spend more than 24 hours in the country, and they must hold a ticket for their onward destination.
For stays longer than 24 hours but less than 7 days, travellers may be eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy. This policy allows citizens of certain countries to stay in specific regions of China for up to 6 days without a visa. These regions include Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. To take advantage of this policy, travellers must hold an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and date, and they must enter and exit through eligible transit ports. It is important to note that this policy does not allow travellers to visit other cities in China.
If you plan to stay in China for more than 6 days or if you wish to visit cities outside of the specified regions, you will need to apply for a regular Chinese visa. The application for this type of visa must be submitted to the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country or host country before your trip, as applications for transit visas cannot be done on Chinese soil. The specific requirements and eligibility for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy may vary, so it is important to check the latest information from official sources before your trip.
In some cases, travellers may encounter unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from continuing their journey as planned. In these situations, they can apply for a visa extension at the Municipal Public Bureau at the airport or station. Additionally, if you are not eligible for the visa-free transit policy or the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, you may need to apply for a transit visa or a regular visa, depending on the length of your stay.
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Transit visas for non-eligible nationalities
China has implemented a 24-hour visa-free transit policy for foreign nationals from all other countries besides the 54 countries listed below. This means that if you are from a country not on the list, you can enter China without a visa, as long as you have a valid passport, a confirmed connecting flight to a third country, and you remain within the airport for the duration of your layover.
The following 55 countries are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- The Republic of Korea
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- The United Arab Emirates
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you can enter China without a visa for up to 10 days, as long as you have a valid passport, a connecting ticket with a confirmed departure date and seat number for a third country within 240 hours, and you enter and exit through eligible ports.
It is important to note that the visa-free transit policy only applies if you are travelling on to a third country after leaving China. Entering China under the visa-free transit policy when not continuing to a third country will be considered illegal entry.
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The 144-hour visa-free transit policy
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the 144-hour visa-free transit, travellers must meet the following conditions:
- Hold a valid passport from one of the eligible countries. The list of eligible countries includes 53 to 54 nations, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many countries in Europe.
- Transit Requirement: The trip must involve transiting through China to a third country, with onward travel scheduled to occur within 144 hours. This can include flight tickets, boat tickets, train tickets, or other relevant certificates.
- Arrival and Departure Cities: The policy only applies to specific cities and regions in China. Travellers must enter and stay within the designated regions, such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Each region has its own rules regarding how far travellers can venture within the area.
Process and Requirements:
When arriving at the designated airport or port, travellers should follow these steps:
- Head to the visa-free transit counter.
- Present your passport, confirmed onward ticket, and a completed entry form ("Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners").
- If everything is in order, the immigration officer will stamp your passport with a temporary stay permit, allowing you to enter the country.
It is important to note that the time spent on customs and immigration checks can vary, typically ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours. Additionally, the availability of certain facilities, such as free showers or ATMs, may differ depending on the airport. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your airline or airport beforehand, especially if your layover is 8 hours or less.
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The process of exiting the airport
Step 1: Check Visa Requirements
Before planning to exit the airport, it is crucial to understand the visa requirements for your specific nationality. Citizens of certain countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, are eligible for visa-free entry during a layover, while others may need to apply for a transit visa. Check official Chinese government sources or consult with your local embassy or consulate to determine the specific requirements for your nationality.
Step 2: Ensure Sufficient Time
Consider the length of your layover before deciding to exit the airport. The process of passing through customs and immigration can take up to 2 hours, and travelling to and from the city centre can take an additional 2 to 3 hours, depending on the city. Ensure that you have sufficient time during your layover to accommodate these processes and allow for some exploration or activities outside the airport.
Step 3: Prepare Necessary Documents
Have all the necessary documents ready before attempting to exit the airport. This includes your passport, visa or proof of visa-free eligibility, and your departure/arrival card, which can often be filled out on the plane or at the airport. If you are applying for a transit visa, you may need to provide additional documentation and submit your application to the appropriate authorities.
Step 4: Pass Health/Quarantine and Immigration Checks
Upon arrival at the airport, you will need to pass through health/quarantine checks, especially during special circumstances or epidemic outbreaks. After that, proceed to the immigration inspection, where you will present your passport, visa or visa-free documentation, and departure/arrival card. If you have any luggage to claim, you can do so before or after the immigration process, depending on the airport's procedures.
Step 5: Customs Inspection and Declaration
Your luggage will need to go through a customs inspection, and you must declare any goods or items as required. Follow the appropriate lanes, such as the red lane for items to declare or the green lane if you have nothing to declare. After clearing customs, you are typically free to exit the airport and begin your exploration of the city or region.
Step 6: Comply with Regional Restrictions
Keep in mind that some visa-free transit programs or transit visas have specific regional restrictions. For example, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang allows movement within these regions but prohibits visits to other Chinese cities. Always comply with the regional restrictions outlined by your visa status or transit program to avoid any legal issues during your stay in China.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your nationality and how long you plan to stay. Citizens of 53 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and all EU countries, do not require a transit visa and can stay for 3-6 days. Citizens of countries not on this list must apply for a 72 or 144-hour transit visa.
The time it takes to pass through immigration and customs is normally 1.5 to 2 hours, but it depends on your citizenship and flight destination. The first and last 2 hours of your layover will likely be spent on customs and immigration, so you only have about 4 hours free.
It is recommended that you have at least 8 hours to leave the airport, which gives you 2-3 hours to explore. However, the more time you have, the better.
