Do you need a Chinese visa for a layover?

Foreigners who have confirmed onward tickets and seats on international flights and directly transit through China and stay for no more than 24 hours within the airport boundaries do not need to apply for a transit visa.



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Required Documents
  • Valid passport.
  • Onward ticket to the third region or country.
  • Arrival and departure application card.
  • Visa for the third country where applicable.


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An airport transit visa is generally required if you travel internationally and if you need to transit through a country. Even if you do not intend to leave the airport, you may need an airport transit visa.

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Yes, for any transit in the US you need a visa or ESTA if you don't have a US or Canadian passport, even for just a few hours, even if you don't plan to leave the airport.

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Overseas travelers from some countries only need a Hong Kong visa for transit if they pass through immigration, for example if their onward flight is some time away and they wish to leave the airport. However, if such foreign nationals remain in the airport transit area, they do not require a visa.

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You need to apply for a visa unless you meet the following visa exemption requirements: 1. According to bilateral agreements, citizens of some countries (List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption between the P.R. China and Foreign Countries) holding appropriate passports may enter China without a visa.

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A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:
  • 1) Direct Transit. ...
  • 2) Transit in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu etc. ...
  • 3) Foreigners to visiting the Pearl River Delta or Hainan Island. ...
  • 4) Citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan.


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During domestic layovers, you are free to leave the airport. If your domestic layover is longer than one hour, you should expect to receive two boarding permits. If you want to check out local points of interest, make sure you get your second boarding pass and print it out before you leave.

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