Is it possible to change airports when using China's on-arrival transit visa scheme?

12/22/2016 9:08:53 AM

Is it possible to enter Beijing and exit through Shanghai airport?

NO, because first of all Beijing doesn’t has a transit visa policy for 144 hours. Beijing only offer 72 hour-visa-free-transit policy. Further changing airport or leaving Beijing city is not permitted.

Source:Beijing International Airport

“Beijing offers 72-hour visa-free transit for foreign visitors with third-country visas and transit at Beijing.
Foreign visitors, who hold passports issued by the countries on the 72-hour Visa-free Transit Policy List and stay in Beijing for transit for up to 72 hours, could apply for a visa-free transit stay in China at the immigration inspection authority at Beijing Capital International Airport. This policy is only applicable for foreign visitors who enter into, stay in and leave from Beijing.”

Similarly the 144 hour transit stay is available only at Shanghai, Guangdong,Jiangsu, and Zhejiang entry points. And while the 144 hour arrangement allows you to visit other cities in those regions, it does not allow travel as far as Beijing nor exit from a different region (ie can’t come into Shanghai and leave Guangdong).

Source:China Visa Exemption

As a German citizen you are entitled to stay in Beijing for transit upto 72 hours only with the following restrictions:

Source:FAQ

  • According to the policy, foreign visitors from the listed countries
    who plan to apply for 72-hour visa-free transit stay must hold a
    valid airline ticket bought before they enter into China.
  • Beijing Capital International Airport is the ONLY entry-exit port in
    Beijing applicable for the 72-hour visa-free transit policy
  • 72-hour visa-free transit foreign visitors are not permitted to leave
    Beijing to other Chinese cities during their 72-hour visa-free stay.
    Visitors who have to leave Beijing to other Chinese cities due to
    force majeure must apply for visas at Beijing Public Security Bureau.
  • 72-hour visa-free transit foreign visitors are not permitted to leave
    the city where they get their visa-free transit stay permission

Further to your itinerary, you can always apply for a proper Chinese visa from China embassy/consulate from Germany or from your country of residence.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

Search Posts

Latest posts

Popular posts