When it comes to mainstream travel destinations, China is still a relative newcomer. Even as the country becomes more and more popular for travelers, China still has a number of hoops to jump through in order to get an entry visa. But for those travelers who are looking for a quick visit or to get out of the airport during a long layover, China has recently rolled out the convenient 72 hour direct transit visa option.
What is the 72 Hour Transit Visa for China?
The 72 hour transit visa for China is a great way for travelers to do a bit of sightseeing in China during a flight layover, without having to get an actual tourist visa for China. In the past, travelers who were connecting on a flight through China and onto another country had to stay in the airport. For example, if you were flying from LA to Phnom Penh and found a great rate through a Chinese airline (such as China Southern or China Eastern), then you would have a layover in China on the way to your final destination.
If you have a long layover, then this would definitely be a bummer having to sit at the airport…especially if you were really wanting to do a bit of sightseeing!
Now with this special visa, you are able to leave the airport and do a bit of exploring between flights!
The 72 Hour Direct Transit Visa for China is ONLY for Airline Passengers
Recently we have read some posts from other travel bloggers who have shared inaccurate information about the 72 hour transit visa for China. So want to be very clear about this: As of the date of this post, the 72 hour visa for China is ONLY available to airline passengers! You cannot enter China via any land or sea border on this visa, nor can you travel between mainland China and Hong Kong.
If you have read otherwise, then please take note. Feel free to check the Chinese consulate’s website here for more details, or for updated information.
** NOTE: This 72 hour “visa” is essentially a special airport transit permit, which is different than the standard G transit visa for China – the type of visa you will need if you fly into China and depart a different way, like via cruise ship.
Eligible Travelers & Airports for the Chinese 72 Hour Direct Transit Visa
As of the date of this post, passport holders from 51 countries are eligible for the Chinese direct transit (72 hour) Visa. These include the US, UK, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, a few countries in South America, and a couple from the Middle East.
In addition, only certain airports participate in this special visa program. Currently, major airports such as PEK in Beijing, CAN in Guangzhou, and PVG & SHA in Shanghai participate in the program. However, other participating airports around the country include: CTU, CKG, SHE, DLC, XIY, HGH, KWL, and KMG.
This information is still changing, as China rolls the program out in more airports. Please be sure to visit the Chinese Consulate website for the most up-to-date visa information.
Requirements for a Chinese 72 Hour Direct Transit Visa
There are some important requirements to keep in mind if you want to take advantage of the Chinese Transit visa program. First of all, you MUST have an onward ticket to a third country prior to your arrival in China. They will not grant you the visa unless you already have your ticket booked — so if you are a “go with the flow” spontaneous type of traveler who books last minute tickets, be aware.
Also, you must be traveling to a different country than where you began your journey. For example, you can’t fly from NYC to Shanghai, use the transit visa and then return to LAX because your origin and your destination country are the same!
So basically, your onward ticket cannot take you back to the country you departed from.
How & When to Apply for the Chinese 72 Hour Visa
It is recommended that you notify your airline in advance of your departure that you intend to obtain this visa to travel within China during your stopover. This way, they can let immigration know ahead of time. You will be granted the special visa permit at the airport upon your arrival.
** NOTE: I have read recently that Beijing’s PEK airport now allows you to apply for this upon your arrival at the airport. To be sure, we recommend that travelers check directly with all of these Chinese airports to find out more about their specific policies and application procedures regarding this special transit visa for China.
Restrictions on the China 72 Hour Direct Transit Visa
Being a special visa, the 72 hour direct transit Chinese visa comes with special requirements. First, you MUST depart from the same airport you entered. So you cannot fly into Beijing, and out of Shanghai.
Technically, you are supposed to only stay in city area of the airport you flew into. However, I’m sure people are leaving Beijing to visit the Great Wall, which is a bit outside of the city.
** If you do want to transit in other ways (such as flying into Shanghai and cruising out to sea), then you will need to look into getting a G Visa — which is different than the 72 hour airport only visa. To apply for the G visa, you will need to do this in advance with the Chinese Consulate and follow the same application process as you would for most other kinds of travel visas to China.
The 72 Hour Chinese Airport Visa is a Convenient Alternative for People with Layovers in China!
Overall, we are so happy to see that China has made it more convenient for airline travelers to explore during a long layover. I can’t imagine connecting to an international flight through China and having to sit in the airport for up to 72 hours without being able to leave! Not only would I be bored out of my mind, but it would drive me crazy knowing an amazing country is just outside those windows, and I am not allowed to see it.
The China 72 hour direct transit visa is also a great way for travelers to Asia to be able to add another country to their trip, even if it is for just a couple days. While you can only see one city, there is definitely a lot you can see and do in 72 hours.
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I am such a huge fan of layovers! This is how we’ve had visits to New York, Istanbul, Singapore, Stockholm, Dublin, San Francisco, Chicago. Ours have lasted anywhere from 16-23 hours – not a tons of time but just enough to get us excited for more and to make a few solid memories.
In Stockholm, we had just enough time to spend a few hours walking around Gamla Stan in the late afternoon, took transit to another island for a phenomenal dinner, got a solid night’s sleep, spent a few more hours exploring on foot, and then squeezed in one circuit on the hop on, hop off bus before heading back to the airport.
Thanks for the comment Vanessa! Yes, I agree that layovers really can be a cool way to squeeze in a visit to a city. We are HUGE fans too! We have had some great layovers in cities around the US such as Seattle, but recently we had an eventful layover in Sydney, Australia too! From an overnight flight, we arrived in the morning and had about 10 hours before our flight. It worked out great that we landed first thing in the morning because we had time for a full day of exploring Sydney downtown before coming back to the airport for our flight.
Thanks for reading!
– Liz
I agree…big fan of layovers. The only problem with those short layovers in China is that I always fear the traffic or other factor that may cause me to be late returning to the airport. As long as you give yourself plenty of time, though, I’ve always been fine!
Based on my own experience, I’ve written out a complete guide to the Chinese transit visa: http://www.travelchinacheaper.com/china-72-hour-visa-guide
Awesome – thanks Josh for reading, and for sharing your comprehensive guide and experience.
Happy travels!
Liz
This is a great idea, I’ve always been a fan of countries who grant visas like this. I did a 7 day layover in Dubai on the way back home to Aus from Africa. Lol though I always did wonder where the line is for where a visit ceases being classed as a “layover” and becomes an actual visit lol 😀
Thanks Meg! Right!!! But regardless if it’s a layover for 10 hours or a few days, I love being able to maximize the trip and see a new destination during a transit. 7 days — that may qualify as a visit 🙂
Take care!
– Liz
Have to say I haven’t done too many layovers but after reading your story I may have to consider more in the future. Thanks!
Thanks for reading Sue! It’s definitely a great way to maximize your trip – and see a new destination!
Happy travels!
– Liz
72 hour visa – great idea! Thanks for the helpful information – I’m sure it will come in handy.
Thanks for reading Jennifer – I definitely hope it will help you on a future visit to China! 🙂
– Liz
I have heard about this 72 hours transit visa thing and planned to maximize it when we travel to Beijing! 🙂
That’s great Tanj! Have fun in Beijing, there’s a lot to see – but you can definitely hit the major sites during the 72 hours.
Travel safe!
– Liz
This is some pretty interesting forward thinking form the Chinese government to increase tourism. How great would it be for other countries such as India to follow suit!
Thanks for the comment Dave. Yeah, I think it’s a great idea too. Especially because more people are flying on the Chinese carriers to other destinations in Asia and are making stopovers in China — it’s certainly a way for them to get some tourist dollars instead of keeping them all trapped in the airport! Plus, it’s good to let them get a taste of the country so perhaps they will want to return for a longer visit in the future. And for us travelers, SO convenient!
Cheers!
– Liz
Love the concept of this!! I was so close to purposefully booking a flight with a 12 hour layover in Narita. I chickened out though. Posts like these just give me the encouragement I need to do it next time 🙂
Thanks Alli!
Yeah, it can make a person a bit nervous. We recently did 10 hours in Sydney, Australia during a layover. It’s fun, but as the clock ticks closer I do tend to get nervous too! It definitely depends on the city & transportation. The first criteria is that there is simple and efficient transportation from the airport to the city center — this isn’t always the case. I have flown through Narita many times, but never had more than a couple hours. I think it’s a good distance from the city, but I’m sure there is a train. You could probably see a few sights in that time, but I think 12 hours might be cutting it close too. I think I would have been nervous too.
Happy travels!
– Liz
I hate layovers) I think even if I had 1000 hours to spend in the airport, it’d be too stressful for me to leave it, because I’m paranoid and I always think that I’d miss my flight!
Thanks for the comment Olga!
Yeah, it makes me nervous too – especially the first time I left the airport years ago. But I only leave if I have many hours — like maybe 10 or more. And it depends on the city (what there is to do and the type of transportation). After the first few times, it started not to make me quite as nervous. Although, I’m always still thinking about my flight! So I can relate!
Thanks for reading.
– Liz
I love this! Such a great information, and I’m bookmarking this! (: I honestly love long layovers – especially if I can grab the opportunity to explore the country. I had about a day layover in Singapore, and I was pretty happy about it, because that mean I could step outside the airport and get to explore, even for mere couple hours.
I was hoping to visit China this year but I couldn’t . However, if I get a layover in China, there is no doubt that I would grab this opportunity. Thank you for sharing!
My husband & I had a long layover in Beijing where we used the free transit visa. The process was pretty quick & painless. We loved that we were able to go out to the city to explore instead of sitting around the airport.
Check out our experience with getting our visa:
http://moneyleftfortravel.com/china-visa-free-transit/
Thank you so much Lynn for reading, and for sharing a link about your personal experience using the transit visa!
We haven’t used it ourselves yet, but it’s SO good to hear from someone who has — because we know a lot of travelers are interested in it. Great post and useful information.
Cheers & happy travels to you!
– Liz