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Started By
Message
long layover in Beijing - VISA - UPDATE: all went well (and was easy)
Posted on 8/6/18 at 4:40 pm
Posted on 8/6/18 at 4:40 pm
I am looking at flights that will have me on TWO twenty-hour layovers at PEK, so enough time to see quite a bit, and even get a cheap place for a nap and a couple showers.
Do I need a VISA? I think the answer is YES, of course.
I have it stuck in my head, from reading THIS board, that one can obtain a 24 hour visa (or similar) at Beijing Airport, and that is a fairly quick and easy process (and not too expensive). But I cannot find the information. Anyone able to point me to this information?
I contacted a China Visa provider in Houston, and they seem to not want to answer my Qs... but will provide me a Visa for nearly $200.
Any suggestions?
UPDATE BELOW (Nov. 19)
Do I need a VISA? I think the answer is YES, of course.
I have it stuck in my head, from reading THIS board, that one can obtain a 24 hour visa (or similar) at Beijing Airport, and that is a fairly quick and easy process (and not too expensive). But I cannot find the information. Anyone able to point me to this information?
I contacted a China Visa provider in Houston, and they seem to not want to answer my Qs... but will provide me a Visa for nearly $200.
Any suggestions?
UPDATE BELOW (Nov. 19)
This post was edited on 11/19/18 at 3:06 pm
3
Posted on 8/10/18 at 1:21 pm to JPinLondon
ok, I found the page that I had found months ago when I started planning this. So pasting it below, to partly answer my question...
but anyone else experienced in this? Thanks!
72-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China
The 72-hour visa-free transit policy in China allows air passengers from 53 countries to transit and stay for up to 72 hours (3 days) in 18 China cities without a visa. In order to facilitate international visitors' short stay in China, the policy is promising to be carried out in more and more cities in the future.
Qualified Countries
6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Cities Enjoying the Policy
Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Harbin, Xian, Guilin, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, Qingdao, Changsha
Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao - Extended to 144-hour Visa-free Transit
Documents for Application
Passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry
Visa for a third country or region (if applicable)
A full completed Arrival/Departure Card (including name, nationality, passport no., visa no. & issuance place, flight no., purpose of visit, date of birth, gender)
An onward ticket with confirmed seat are needed
Procedure
Inform the airlines when boarding – Fill an Arrival/Departure Card on the flight - Apply the 72-hour permit – Claim the luggage – Go through the custom - Leave airport
but anyone else experienced in this? Thanks!
72-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China
The 72-hour visa-free transit policy in China allows air passengers from 53 countries to transit and stay for up to 72 hours (3 days) in 18 China cities without a visa. In order to facilitate international visitors' short stay in China, the policy is promising to be carried out in more and more cities in the future.
Qualified Countries
6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Cities Enjoying the Policy
Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Harbin, Xian, Guilin, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, Qingdao, Changsha
Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao - Extended to 144-hour Visa-free Transit
Documents for Application
Passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry
Visa for a third country or region (if applicable)
A full completed Arrival/Departure Card (including name, nationality, passport no., visa no. & issuance place, flight no., purpose of visit, date of birth, gender)
An onward ticket with confirmed seat are needed
Procedure
Inform the airlines when boarding – Fill an Arrival/Departure Card on the flight - Apply the 72-hour permit – Claim the luggage – Go through the custom - Leave airport
Posted on 8/10/18 at 3:03 pm to JPinLondon
Back when I went a few years ago I applied for a multi entry visa but they only gave me a one-time visa. This was right around when they started the visa free transit, however I know there have been reports of airlines not allowing passengers to board because they did not have a visa. What you may want to do is call the airline and confirm with them that you do not need the visa while also printing out all documentation of the 72 hour visa free transit to take to the airport on day of travel. If you did this at a major airport like DFW or IAH, I think they're more aware of the transit visa than the locals at BTR, LFT, GPT, etc. If you're going out of those smaller airports, get there very early to explain.
To be honest I may suggest applying for the unlimited entry visa for the few hundred it costs just to avoid the hassle both here in the US and in China. When I landed in Beijing, the line for that transit visa was much longer than the regular entry.
To be honest I may suggest applying for the unlimited entry visa for the few hundred it costs just to avoid the hassle both here in the US and in China. When I landed in Beijing, the line for that transit visa was much longer than the regular entry.
This post was edited on 8/10/18 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 8/10/18 at 7:38 pm to JPinLondon
You just need to show your departing ticket and they will let you in on the short visa.
I did it in Shanghai in 2016.
So make sure when you check in for your flight before Beijing they give you that ticket. I almost was screwed when I noticed they had done the ticket to/from Shanghai for my wife but didn't include my departure ticket. I had to buy internet while in line just to get my airline app up in time. Thankfully the lady accepted that.
It sounds more complicated than it is. It's a rather painless process.
I did it in Shanghai in 2016.
So make sure when you check in for your flight before Beijing they give you that ticket. I almost was screwed when I noticed they had done the ticket to/from Shanghai for my wife but didn't include my departure ticket. I had to buy internet while in line just to get my airline app up in time. Thankfully the lady accepted that.
It sounds more complicated than it is. It's a rather painless process.
This post was edited on 8/10/18 at 7:40 pm
Posted on 8/10/18 at 11:48 pm to JPinLondon
I don't have any experience with the visa free transit (10yr business visa is what I have), but I have seen the signs, etc at PEK. It doesn't seem like it would be a problem, as most things are pretty easy there as long as you have what you need (proper documents, etc). Keep the paperwork with you during your layover though. I've been stopped on the street in Beijing twice and asked to show them.
Do be cautious with your time. Traffic can be ridiculous and the airport security lines are extremely hit or miss.
Do be cautious with your time. Traffic can be ridiculous and the airport security lines are extremely hit or miss.
Posted on 8/11/18 at 3:13 am to JPinLondon
You would qualify under the 24 hr direct transit with no Visa required. There are many excellent Beijing Airport layover tours specifically for these situations. The tour companies basically hold your hand through the process.
Posted on 11/19/18 at 3:04 pm to JPinLondon
Post-Trip UPDATE:
I did the trip in October, had two ~20 hour layovers, and everything went incredibly smooth. I got a hotel for first one, near the airport (sortof) and saw the Great Wall early on a Saturday morning. Stayed near the city-center for the second layover.
But regarding the 72-Hour Visa Desk, it was easy to find (at the end of the Passport Control room) and the form was short and the process was beyond simple and fast (and free). In fact, by using that "special" desk, I was directed to the front of the Passport Control line, so saved some time there.
TIP: twice some folks tried to con me into an expensive taxi. Their responses to my direct questions were crap. So I bailed on them both times. Took a regular taxi the first time for $9 and the train the second time
I did the trip in October, had two ~20 hour layovers, and everything went incredibly smooth. I got a hotel for first one, near the airport (sortof) and saw the Great Wall early on a Saturday morning. Stayed near the city-center for the second layover.
But regarding the 72-Hour Visa Desk, it was easy to find (at the end of the Passport Control room) and the form was short and the process was beyond simple and fast (and free). In fact, by using that "special" desk, I was directed to the front of the Passport Control line, so saved some time there.
TIP: twice some folks tried to con me into an expensive taxi. Their responses to my direct questions were crap. So I bailed on them both times. Took a regular taxi the first time for $9 and the train the second time
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