Recently updated on October 8th, 2017 at 07:22 pm
On August 1st, 2013 at the port of entry of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the policy of 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption for Foreign Nationals for citizens from 45 countries headed for a third country with booked flight goes into effect. The passengers successfully applying 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption are allowed to travel at ease within the administration precincts of Guangdong province during the visa exemption period.
Q: What are necessary for foreigners to apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption?
A: (1) Citizens from the 45 countries under the 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption Program (The origins and destinations of travelers are not limited to such 45 countries); (2) Foreign nationals with valid international travel documents and air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country (region) leaving China at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport within 72 hours; (3) The range of staying during the visa exemption is limited to the administrative precincts of Guangdong Province.
Q: What 45 are the countries?
A: (1) 24 Schengen countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. (2) 7 other European countries: Russia, Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. (3) 6 American countries: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile. (4) 2 Oceanian countries: Australia and New Zealand. (5) 6 Asian countries: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Q: How is the 72-hour Transit Vis Exemption calculated?
A: No. The 72-hour limit is calculated by starting with zero hour the next day of the traveler’s entry. For example, if a traveler enters China at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on August 1, 2013, the visa exemption limit for entry is calculated by starting with 00:00 on August 2, 2013. The traveler can leave China before 23:59 on August 4, 2013.
Q: How can a foreigner who meets the requirements for the 72-hour transit visa exemption apply for it?
A: A foreigner that meets the requirements may submit his/her request to the airline company that carries him/her to Guangzhou, which shall make the application to the immigration of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport that shall grant a temporary entry of a passenger meeting the requirements for transit visa exemption upon verification. Besides, a foreigner that does not apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption before entry may submit his/her application to the immigration before completion of the immigration after arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Q: Can a traveler apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption when no exit air ticket is bought at the time of entry but he or she plans to purchase the air ticket for a third country leaving within 72 hours after entry?
A: According to the requirements, a foreigner applying for the 72-hour transit visa exemption must hold the air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country (region) leaving China at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, i.e., the exit air ticket is already in place before entry. Therefore, this facilitation measure does not apply to a foreigner that does not have a confirmed air ticket for a connecting flight leaving within 72 hours.
Q: Does this measure apply to a foreigner coming to Guangzhou from a certain country (region) with a confirmed air ticket for flying back to the same country (region) where he or she comes from within 72 hours with confirmed date of flight and seat?
A: According to the requirements, the 72-hour transit visa exemption measure is for a foreigner connecting through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport for a third country or region. Therefore this measure does not apply to a passenger whose destination country is the country where he or she comes from.
Q: Can a foreigner leave Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport for another Chinese city after getting the 72-hour transit visa exemption?
A: He or she may leave for the city in Guangdong and is not allowed to leave Guangdong.
Q: Can a passenger enter China at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and then leave from the Guangzhou East Railway Station within 72 hours?
A: This measure is currently available at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport only, which means that the travelers who enjoy the 72-hour transit visa exemption policy are only permitted to enter and leave China at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Q: What should be done in case a foreigner who has the 72-hour transit visa exemption cannot leave China within 72 hours due to some special reason after entry?
A: In case of special need to stay in the administrative precincts of Guangdong Province longer than 72 hours due to force majeure or of exceeding the permitted scope of stay, a passenger should apply for the relevant visa to the exit-entry administration department of the municipal public security authorities of Guangdong.
Q: If I have more questions concerning the immigration, how can I ask for an answer?
A: You may call the 24-hour inquiry hotline of Baiyun Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection: +86 20 36066950 or 24-hour inquiry hotline of Guangzhou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection: +86 20 32090088.
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