Is there a transit visa requirement for Chinese airports?

Is there a transit visa requirement for Chinese airports? - Young ethnic man in earbuds listening to music while waiting for transport at contemporary subway station

I'm hoping to get a flight which requires me to be in China for 28 hours before the connecting flight out. I'm happy to sit in transit if I have to. However, I've read one site that said 12 hours is the maximum transit permitted.

Can anyone find either:

  1. Definitive information saying how long transit in Beijing/Shanghai airports are for
  2. Or can I get a transit visa on arrival, in which case I'll go check out the city for a day ;)

I'm on a New Zealand passport if it makes a difference.

Failing all that I'll pick up a visa in Mongolia en-route, I'd just rather not have to waste a few days doing so if I don't have to!






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How do I get a transit visa for China?

Chinese Transit (G) Visa A Chinese transit visa is valid for 7 days. To apply you would send your passport, a passport photo, visa application and a copy of your itinerary indicating the dates of transit through China. A Chinese tourist visa is typically issued for 6 months validity with a stay of 30 days.

Does China allow transit?

24 hour visa-free transitForeign citizens travelling to a third country or region through China by plane, ship or train may stay up to 24 hours in China without a visa. The application for a preliminary entry permit at the Chinese border is a requirement for the visa-free entry.

Which countries require transit visa for connecting flights?

This means that passport holders of one of the countries listed above will need a transit visa regardless of the EU/Schengen country they are set to transit on their way to their destination country....The joint list consists of:
  • Afghanistan.
  • Bangladesh.
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Eritrea.
  • Ethiopia.
  • Ghana.
  • Iran.
  • Iraq.


Can you get a Chinese visa at the airport?

You can apply for a China Business Visa on Arrival only if the purpose of your visit is Business. The China Business Visa on Arrival is only available to travelers whose point of entry is Shanghai Pudong International Airport.



Transit visa china EXPLAINED properly! 24, 72 and 144 hour visa free | Air china, Shanghai airport




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Seng Lam Ho