{"id":6132,"date":"2014-02-08T10:05:35","date_gmt":"2014-02-08T15:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/?p=6132"},"modified":"2014-02-09T02:14:20","modified_gmt":"2014-02-09T07:14:20","slug":"72-hour-visa-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/2014\/02\/08\/72-hour-visa-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating China’s 72-Hour Visa-Free Travel Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

International travelers allowed 72-hour visa-free transit through Beijing, Shanghai &\u00a0Guangzhou<\/em><\/h4>\n

One year ago\u00a0<\/span>China\u00a0began allowing passengers from 45 countries transiting through Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou (Guangzhou was added August 1st 2013) to a third country can enjoy a 72-hour visa-free transit stay in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou.\u00a0Passengers must hold valid travel documents that confirm their nationality and visa permission to enter a third country. \u00a0You can find more\u00a0<\/span>information\u00a0on the\u00a0<\/span>government’s\u00a0<\/span>website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Copyright:

Copyright: Beijing Capital International Airport<\/p><\/div>\n

When I arrived in Beijing I was asked to show proof of an Australian Visa and asked for a boarding pass or itinerary showing the flight information for travel to the third country. \u00a0Of course I didn’t have a boarding pass, airlines won’t issue boarding passes for flight 2-3 days in advance. I was prepared with my itinerary since I’d done this once before. I had a moment of panic when they asked me to show them my full name matching my passport on the itinerary document. I had printed out my itinerary from the US Airways Website and it was three pages long. As I scanned through the pages I didn’t see my name anywhere. On the last page I finally saw my name. But this is something you might want to check in advance. \u00a0I was also asked to write on my arrival\/departure card, which I was given to fill out onboard the flight to China, the date of my departure, the airline and flight number.<\/p>\n

When you arrive at Beijing’s airport it can be confusing if you’ve never navigated it before. \u00a0The first time I flew through Beijing I was just transferring to another flight and I got into the wrong line. \u00a0Lines can be very long in Beijing – this should not surprise you – and getting in the wrong line can be costly time wise if you’re trying to make a connection. \u00a0 Here are some tips to make it a bit easier:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • When you arrive, make sure all your paperwork is completely filled out. You don’t want to get to the front of the line and discover you’ve missed something.<\/li>\n
  • The main customs and immigration area for international flights has 5 sections:\n
      \n
    • transfer for airline employees and diplomats<\/li>\n
    • Immigration for Chinese citizens<\/li>\n
    • Immigration for Foreigners<\/li>\n
    • transfer for international passengers<\/li>\n
    • Immigration for 72-hour visa-free travel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • The key to making through the lines is knowing which ones you need to be in and where they are located. \u00a0(From left to right as you’re looking at customs and immigrations’ primary entry point)\n
        \n
      • As you look directly at the customs and immigration area the transfer for international passengers is on the far left – do not get into the Immigration for Foreigners lines. \u00a0There are typically two to three desks open for transfers.<\/li>\n
      • Just to the right of the international transfers line is the 72-hour visa-free travel desk. There are one or two desks dedicated for this.<\/li>\n
      • To the right of the 72-hour visa-free desk is the immigration for foreigners lines. These are very easy to see and there are many desks for this. \u00a0 To the right of the foreigners lines are the local citizens lines<\/li>\n
      • Finally, on the far right is the entry point for airline employees, diplomats and VIPs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Updated (2\/09\/14) Special Thanks to Sara for sharing her experience of arriving when the 72-hour visa-free desk was closed. \u00a0She was directed to the VIP line for processing and got through quickly. \u00a0She also pointed out that her itinerary had her husbands name on it and they questioned who that was, since he wasn’t present with her. \u00a0Once she explained that he had a visa and was in the other line, they \u00a0processed her.<\/p>\n

        It’s not always easy to see the 72-hour visa-free desks – especially if there are long lines. \u00a0So make sure you look specifically for them. \u00a0When I arrived the lines were very long in all the other lines, but there was no one at the 72-hour visa-free desk. \u00a0I made it through in less than 5 minutes. \u00a0On my first trip I waited about 10-15 minutes in line.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        \"72-hour

        72-hour Visa Free Desk in Beijing Capital Airport<\/p><\/div>\n

        After clearing customs and immigration you’ll take the train to the baggage claim terminal, claim your bags (if you’ve checked them) and then exit the customs area. I was waived directly through the exit area. I noticed several people being waved to a lane with an x-ray machine for baggage. This is typical with most countries as customs is looking for undeclared goods or illegal goods.<\/p>\n

        The train from the main terminal to baggage claim is no different from most public transportation throughout Asia, people pack themselves into the trains and have no regard for “personal space.” \u00a0Be prepared to be pushed and smooshed into the train.<\/p>\n

        After exiting customs you’ll find a swarm of people waiting to meet passengers and it can be overwhelming if you’re trying to spot someone. I choose to take hotel car so I had to find the person with a sign for my hotel. \u00a0Once I found him it was an easy walk from the arrivals area to the pick-up zone. \u00a0The signage is clear and you’ll find it easy to get a taxi. \u00a0I have heard several times, and most recently from Howie at Frugal Travel Guy, that taxi drivers aren’t always familiar with hotel locations and it’s a good idea to have directions to the hotel on-hand. \u00a0If I’ve never been to a country before I tend to email the hotel in advance and ask for directions in English and the local language. \u00a0While there are many drivers who do speak English, you never know when you’ll end up with one who doesn’t.<\/p>\n

        Enjoy your time in China, it’s a great opportunity to visit a country during your stop-over!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        International travelers allowed 72-hour visa-free transit through Beijing, Shanghai &\u00a0Guangzhou One year ago\u00a0China\u00a0began allowing passengers from 45 countries transiting through Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou (Guangzhou was added August 1st 2013) to a third country can enjoy a 72-hour visa-free transit…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"Navigating China's 72-Hour Visa-Free Travel Policy #Travel #China","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[91,96],"tags":[558,557,378],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nNavigating China's 72-Hour Visa-Free Travel Policy - 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