I have a double entry Chinese visa. Can I transit in China without using it?
My husband and I would like to undertake a month long trip through Asia. The main idea is to visit many parts of China, but we would like to visit other parts of Asia as well. We decided on entering China twice, once in the east and once in the west, to reduce travel time and possibly costs.
We have been looking at possible itineraries, but many involve transits in China. Can we transit in China without using any of the entries on a double entry visa?
My husband is a British citizen and I am a Dutch citizen. I have been to China before on a single entry visa, he has not.
visas transit china uk-citizens dutch-citizens
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
|
show 3 more comments
My husband and I would like to undertake a month long trip through Asia. The main idea is to visit many parts of China, but we would like to visit other parts of Asia as well. We decided on entering China twice, once in the east and once in the west, to reduce travel time and possibly costs.
We have been looking at possible itineraries, but many involve transits in China. Can we transit in China without using any of the entries on a double entry visa?
My husband is a British citizen and I am a Dutch citizen. I have been to China before on a single entry visa, he has not.
visas transit china uk-citizens dutch-citizens
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
2
This is an interesting question. When I transited China, I went through a separate transit-only immigration point where they stamped my boarding pass but not my passport. I do not have any Chinese visa, however, so I don't know if they would've attempted to stamp thr visa had I had one.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Dec 14 '16 at 17:38
1
We have an answer somewhere here that indicates that if you have a visa, that is used and not the 72h/144h visa-free transit. I am not at all sure about whether that would be the case for an airside transit, even though I assume you'd be fine I am not confident enough to post as an answer. reddit.com/r/Chinavisa might have some info.
– mts
Dec 14 '16 at 20:20
Do you want to exit the airport during those transits? Or do you just want to take connecting flights?
– JonathanReez♦
Dec 16 '16 at 10:27
@JonathanReez I don't mind, I just don't want any trouble
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 16 '16 at 13:12
sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4212 and reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/comments/5ekxpy/… have some insight. Step 3 of "procedure" in travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour also suggests you can.
– mts
Dec 17 '16 at 10:31
|
show 3 more comments
My husband and I would like to undertake a month long trip through Asia. The main idea is to visit many parts of China, but we would like to visit other parts of Asia as well. We decided on entering China twice, once in the east and once in the west, to reduce travel time and possibly costs.
We have been looking at possible itineraries, but many involve transits in China. Can we transit in China without using any of the entries on a double entry visa?
My husband is a British citizen and I am a Dutch citizen. I have been to China before on a single entry visa, he has not.
visas transit china uk-citizens dutch-citizens
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
My husband and I would like to undertake a month long trip through Asia. The main idea is to visit many parts of China, but we would like to visit other parts of Asia as well. We decided on entering China twice, once in the east and once in the west, to reduce travel time and possibly costs.
We have been looking at possible itineraries, but many involve transits in China. Can we transit in China without using any of the entries on a double entry visa?
My husband is a British citizen and I am a Dutch citizen. I have been to China before on a single entry visa, he has not.
visas transit china uk-citizens dutch-citizens
visas transit china uk-citizens dutch-citizens
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
edited Dec 16 '16 at 10:30
pnuts
26.8k367164
26.8k367164
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
asked Dec 14 '16 at 14:38
Belle-SophieBelle-Sophie
4,21742156
4,21742156
2
This is an interesting question. When I transited China, I went through a separate transit-only immigration point where they stamped my boarding pass but not my passport. I do not have any Chinese visa, however, so I don't know if they would've attempted to stamp thr visa had I had one.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Dec 14 '16 at 17:38
1
We have an answer somewhere here that indicates that if you have a visa, that is used and not the 72h/144h visa-free transit. I am not at all sure about whether that would be the case for an airside transit, even though I assume you'd be fine I am not confident enough to post as an answer. reddit.com/r/Chinavisa might have some info.
– mts
Dec 14 '16 at 20:20
Do you want to exit the airport during those transits? Or do you just want to take connecting flights?
– JonathanReez♦
Dec 16 '16 at 10:27
@JonathanReez I don't mind, I just don't want any trouble
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 16 '16 at 13:12
sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4212 and reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/comments/5ekxpy/… have some insight. Step 3 of "procedure" in travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour also suggests you can.
– mts
Dec 17 '16 at 10:31
|
show 3 more comments
2
This is an interesting question. When I transited China, I went through a separate transit-only immigration point where they stamped my boarding pass but not my passport. I do not have any Chinese visa, however, so I don't know if they would've attempted to stamp thr visa had I had one.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Dec 14 '16 at 17:38
1
We have an answer somewhere here that indicates that if you have a visa, that is used and not the 72h/144h visa-free transit. I am not at all sure about whether that would be the case for an airside transit, even though I assume you'd be fine I am not confident enough to post as an answer. reddit.com/r/Chinavisa might have some info.
– mts
Dec 14 '16 at 20:20
Do you want to exit the airport during those transits? Or do you just want to take connecting flights?
– JonathanReez♦
Dec 16 '16 at 10:27
@JonathanReez I don't mind, I just don't want any trouble
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 16 '16 at 13:12
sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4212 and reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/comments/5ekxpy/… have some insight. Step 3 of "procedure" in travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour also suggests you can.
– mts
Dec 17 '16 at 10:31
2
2
This is an interesting question. When I transited China, I went through a separate transit-only immigration point where they stamped my boarding pass but not my passport. I do not have any Chinese visa, however, so I don't know if they would've attempted to stamp thr visa had I had one.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Dec 14 '16 at 17:38
This is an interesting question. When I transited China, I went through a separate transit-only immigration point where they stamped my boarding pass but not my passport. I do not have any Chinese visa, however, so I don't know if they would've attempted to stamp thr visa had I had one.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Dec 14 '16 at 17:38
1
1
We have an answer somewhere here that indicates that if you have a visa, that is used and not the 72h/144h visa-free transit. I am not at all sure about whether that would be the case for an airside transit, even though I assume you'd be fine I am not confident enough to post as an answer. reddit.com/r/Chinavisa might have some info.
– mts
Dec 14 '16 at 20:20
We have an answer somewhere here that indicates that if you have a visa, that is used and not the 72h/144h visa-free transit. I am not at all sure about whether that would be the case for an airside transit, even though I assume you'd be fine I am not confident enough to post as an answer. reddit.com/r/Chinavisa might have some info.
– mts
Dec 14 '16 at 20:20
Do you want to exit the airport during those transits? Or do you just want to take connecting flights?
– JonathanReez♦
Dec 16 '16 at 10:27
Do you want to exit the airport during those transits? Or do you just want to take connecting flights?
– JonathanReez♦
Dec 16 '16 at 10:27
@JonathanReez I don't mind, I just don't want any trouble
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 16 '16 at 13:12
@JonathanReez I don't mind, I just don't want any trouble
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 16 '16 at 13:12
sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4212 and reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/comments/5ekxpy/… have some insight. Step 3 of "procedure" in travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour also suggests you can.
– mts
Dec 17 '16 at 10:31
sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4212 and reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/comments/5ekxpy/… have some insight. Step 3 of "procedure" in travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour also suggests you can.
– mts
Dec 17 '16 at 10:31
|
show 3 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
First would be how are you "transiting". If you are simply changing aircraft, hanging out in the airport for a few hours, you do not need any visa, you can stay airside, simply showing your boarding pass for the next flight. If your transit involves staying overnight and you want to leave the airport to stay at a hotel, then the transit versus tourist visa headache will show itself.
If you have to leave the airport, I think you will find the visa issue to be one of those "up to the Immigration officer" scenarios. You have a tourist visa, whereas the transit visa is intended for folks without a China visa, allowing them to transit through the country.
You can go to the transit visa counter upon landing and request a transit visa and perhaps the Immigration official will allow it, based on your itinerary. You can't hide the fact that you have a visa, because the transit visa is stamped into your passport as a "Temporary Entry Permit", so the official will flip through your pages and see your visas.
But the official is also allowed to count that entry, as one of your tourist visa allowed entries. From a border crossing point of view, a stay of 24 hours is the same as a stay of 24 days .... 1 entry.
Thanks. What is your source for this? Laws? Personal experience? Internet reference?
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 20 '16 at 9:44
Primarily personal experience.
– user13044
Dec 20 '16 at 10:14
Does China really allows plane change without leaving airside for foreigners? I would take that for granted, but USA doesn't allow this as an exception.
– alamar
Dec 21 '16 at 14:36
1
@alamar - Yes China allows plane changes without entering the country. You go via an "immigration" desk, but they simply rubber stamp you into the departure area.
– user13044
Dec 22 '16 at 1:55
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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First would be how are you "transiting". If you are simply changing aircraft, hanging out in the airport for a few hours, you do not need any visa, you can stay airside, simply showing your boarding pass for the next flight. If your transit involves staying overnight and you want to leave the airport to stay at a hotel, then the transit versus tourist visa headache will show itself.
If you have to leave the airport, I think you will find the visa issue to be one of those "up to the Immigration officer" scenarios. You have a tourist visa, whereas the transit visa is intended for folks without a China visa, allowing them to transit through the country.
You can go to the transit visa counter upon landing and request a transit visa and perhaps the Immigration official will allow it, based on your itinerary. You can't hide the fact that you have a visa, because the transit visa is stamped into your passport as a "Temporary Entry Permit", so the official will flip through your pages and see your visas.
But the official is also allowed to count that entry, as one of your tourist visa allowed entries. From a border crossing point of view, a stay of 24 hours is the same as a stay of 24 days .... 1 entry.
Thanks. What is your source for this? Laws? Personal experience? Internet reference?
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 20 '16 at 9:44
Primarily personal experience.
– user13044
Dec 20 '16 at 10:14
Does China really allows plane change without leaving airside for foreigners? I would take that for granted, but USA doesn't allow this as an exception.
– alamar
Dec 21 '16 at 14:36
1
@alamar - Yes China allows plane changes without entering the country. You go via an "immigration" desk, but they simply rubber stamp you into the departure area.
– user13044
Dec 22 '16 at 1:55
add a comment |
First would be how are you "transiting". If you are simply changing aircraft, hanging out in the airport for a few hours, you do not need any visa, you can stay airside, simply showing your boarding pass for the next flight. If your transit involves staying overnight and you want to leave the airport to stay at a hotel, then the transit versus tourist visa headache will show itself.
If you have to leave the airport, I think you will find the visa issue to be one of those "up to the Immigration officer" scenarios. You have a tourist visa, whereas the transit visa is intended for folks without a China visa, allowing them to transit through the country.
You can go to the transit visa counter upon landing and request a transit visa and perhaps the Immigration official will allow it, based on your itinerary. You can't hide the fact that you have a visa, because the transit visa is stamped into your passport as a "Temporary Entry Permit", so the official will flip through your pages and see your visas.
But the official is also allowed to count that entry, as one of your tourist visa allowed entries. From a border crossing point of view, a stay of 24 hours is the same as a stay of 24 days .... 1 entry.
Thanks. What is your source for this? Laws? Personal experience? Internet reference?
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 20 '16 at 9:44
Primarily personal experience.
– user13044
Dec 20 '16 at 10:14
Does China really allows plane change without leaving airside for foreigners? I would take that for granted, but USA doesn't allow this as an exception.
– alamar
Dec 21 '16 at 14:36
1
@alamar - Yes China allows plane changes without entering the country. You go via an "immigration" desk, but they simply rubber stamp you into the departure area.
– user13044
Dec 22 '16 at 1:55
add a comment |
First would be how are you "transiting". If you are simply changing aircraft, hanging out in the airport for a few hours, you do not need any visa, you can stay airside, simply showing your boarding pass for the next flight. If your transit involves staying overnight and you want to leave the airport to stay at a hotel, then the transit versus tourist visa headache will show itself.
If you have to leave the airport, I think you will find the visa issue to be one of those "up to the Immigration officer" scenarios. You have a tourist visa, whereas the transit visa is intended for folks without a China visa, allowing them to transit through the country.
You can go to the transit visa counter upon landing and request a transit visa and perhaps the Immigration official will allow it, based on your itinerary. You can't hide the fact that you have a visa, because the transit visa is stamped into your passport as a "Temporary Entry Permit", so the official will flip through your pages and see your visas.
But the official is also allowed to count that entry, as one of your tourist visa allowed entries. From a border crossing point of view, a stay of 24 hours is the same as a stay of 24 days .... 1 entry.
First would be how are you "transiting". If you are simply changing aircraft, hanging out in the airport for a few hours, you do not need any visa, you can stay airside, simply showing your boarding pass for the next flight. If your transit involves staying overnight and you want to leave the airport to stay at a hotel, then the transit versus tourist visa headache will show itself.
If you have to leave the airport, I think you will find the visa issue to be one of those "up to the Immigration officer" scenarios. You have a tourist visa, whereas the transit visa is intended for folks without a China visa, allowing them to transit through the country.
You can go to the transit visa counter upon landing and request a transit visa and perhaps the Immigration official will allow it, based on your itinerary. You can't hide the fact that you have a visa, because the transit visa is stamped into your passport as a "Temporary Entry Permit", so the official will flip through your pages and see your visas.
But the official is also allowed to count that entry, as one of your tourist visa allowed entries. From a border crossing point of view, a stay of 24 hours is the same as a stay of 24 days .... 1 entry.
edited Dec 19 '16 at 7:57
answered Dec 19 '16 at 7:25
user13044
Thanks. What is your source for this? Laws? Personal experience? Internet reference?
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 20 '16 at 9:44
Primarily personal experience.
– user13044
Dec 20 '16 at 10:14
Does China really allows plane change without leaving airside for foreigners? I would take that for granted, but USA doesn't allow this as an exception.
– alamar
Dec 21 '16 at 14:36
1
@alamar - Yes China allows plane changes without entering the country. You go via an "immigration" desk, but they simply rubber stamp you into the departure area.
– user13044
Dec 22 '16 at 1:55
add a comment |
Thanks. What is your source for this? Laws? Personal experience? Internet reference?
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 20 '16 at 9:44
Primarily personal experience.
– user13044
Dec 20 '16 at 10:14
Does China really allows plane change without leaving airside for foreigners? I would take that for granted, but USA doesn't allow this as an exception.
– alamar
Dec 21 '16 at 14:36
1
@alamar - Yes China allows plane changes without entering the country. You go via an "immigration" desk, but they simply rubber stamp you into the departure area.
– user13044
Dec 22 '16 at 1:55
Thanks. What is your source for this? Laws? Personal experience? Internet reference?
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 20 '16 at 9:44
Thanks. What is your source for this? Laws? Personal experience? Internet reference?
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 20 '16 at 9:44
Primarily personal experience.
– user13044
Dec 20 '16 at 10:14
Primarily personal experience.
– user13044
Dec 20 '16 at 10:14
Does China really allows plane change without leaving airside for foreigners? I would take that for granted, but USA doesn't allow this as an exception.
– alamar
Dec 21 '16 at 14:36
Does China really allows plane change without leaving airside for foreigners? I would take that for granted, but USA doesn't allow this as an exception.
– alamar
Dec 21 '16 at 14:36
1
1
@alamar - Yes China allows plane changes without entering the country. You go via an "immigration" desk, but they simply rubber stamp you into the departure area.
– user13044
Dec 22 '16 at 1:55
@alamar - Yes China allows plane changes without entering the country. You go via an "immigration" desk, but they simply rubber stamp you into the departure area.
– user13044
Dec 22 '16 at 1:55
add a comment |
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2
This is an interesting question. When I transited China, I went through a separate transit-only immigration point where they stamped my boarding pass but not my passport. I do not have any Chinese visa, however, so I don't know if they would've attempted to stamp thr visa had I had one.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Dec 14 '16 at 17:38
1
We have an answer somewhere here that indicates that if you have a visa, that is used and not the 72h/144h visa-free transit. I am not at all sure about whether that would be the case for an airside transit, even though I assume you'd be fine I am not confident enough to post as an answer. reddit.com/r/Chinavisa might have some info.
– mts
Dec 14 '16 at 20:20
Do you want to exit the airport during those transits? Or do you just want to take connecting flights?
– JonathanReez♦
Dec 16 '16 at 10:27
@JonathanReez I don't mind, I just don't want any trouble
– Belle-Sophie
Dec 16 '16 at 13:12
sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4212 and reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/comments/5ekxpy/… have some insight. Step 3 of "procedure" in travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour also suggests you can.
– mts
Dec 17 '16 at 10:31