Air passengers (from almost all countries) transiting in mainland China for no more than 24 hours before departing for a third country or region, do not require a visa. This is known as China’s 24-hour transit without visa (24-hour TWOV).
In this blog post, we will explore in details who and how to qualify for such 24-hour TWOV visa.
What are the eligibility requirements for China’s 24-hour TWOV?
Almost all countries offer 24-hour visa-free transit, but some countries have exceptions in certain airports.
Visas are required for passport holders of the following countries transiting in Xiamen airport or Urumqi airport:
- Afghanistan
- Azerbaijan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malaysia
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Yemen
There is no 24-hour visa-free transit for Syrian citizens transiting through Guangzhou.
Can you tell me what the port restrictions are?
While a majority of international airports in China participate in the 24-hour TWOV, passengers transiting through the following airports will need a visa regardless of how long their layover is:
- Fuzhou
- Huangshan
- Mudanjiang
- Shenzhen
- Urumqi
- Yanji
Required Documents for a TWOV
- A valid passport for at least 3 months after entry
- An Air ticket with confirmed seat and date for onward travel
- Obtained a visa for a third country or region (if necessary)
Is it possible to leave the airport during a layover?
Those who wish to leave the restricted transit area to claim luggage, take a connecting flight, or explore the city can apply for a 24-hour visa-free entry permit that shows the length of their permitted stay on their passport.
It is important to note that your application for a 24-hour visa-free transit may be declined if:
- You lack any of the required documents listed above
- Your route does not qualify
- You have a history of overstaying in the country or visa refusals