72 Visa-Free Transit in China

From January 1, 2013, China offers 72-hour visa-free transit for foreign visitors with third-country visas and transit at Beijing and Shanghai. Holders of passports issued by the following countries do not need a visa if transiting through Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

72-hour Visa-free Transit Policy is valid for passport holders from the following 45 countries:
European: Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, The Slovak Republic, The Republic of Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland The United Kingdom Northern Ireland, Ireland, The Republic of Cyprus, The Republic of Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
America: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Asia: Singapore, Republic of Korea, Japan, The United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Qatar

The basic requirements of visa-free transit policy:
1. Foreign visitors must have flights tickets to the third destination country from Beijing/Shanghai.
2. Foreign visitors should contact the airline company and tell them you would like to have some sightseeing in Beijing/Shanghai.
3. Foreign visitors are requires to register with the China police within 24 hours of arrival.

Q: Who can apply for the 72-hour visa-free transit policy in Beijing and Shanghai?
A: Travelers from 45 countries for the visa free must have a flights ticket to the third countries from Beijing/Shanghai before arrival at Beijing/Shanghai.

Q: What the requirements about this 72 hours visa free policy?
A: a. Travelers should contact the airline company and tell them you would like to come out of the airport in Beijing/Shanghai to have some sightseeing and let the airline company contact with the Beijing/Shanghai customs.
b. Travelers are requires to register with the China police within 24 hours of arrival.
c. Travelers could not leave Beijing/Shanghai (entry city) to other Chinese city within 72 hours visa-free stay. Travelers will take a flight to the third country from the China entry city (Beijing/Shanghai).

Q: If I have a plan to buy the flight tickets to the third countries after arriving in Beijing or Shanghai, could I apply for the 72-hour visa-free transit?
A: No. You should buy the flight tickets to the third country destination before your entry to Beijing/Shanghai. This policy is only for you who have valid international travel documents and flights tickets to the third countries with material date and seats.

Q: If I have already bought the flight back ticket to the same country, could I apply for this 72 hour visa free transit?
A: No. Based on the regulations, the 72-hour visa-free transit policy is only for those from the above 45 countries who have flights tickets to the third country. For example, if you are transit in Beijing from Sydney and flight back to Melbourne (same country), you could not apply for this policy. You should buy the flight tickets to the third destination country.

Q: Could travelers who process the 72-hour visa-free transit procedure at Beijing Capital Airport apply for the port of exit from the Shanghai Airport?
A: Foreigner applying for 72-hour visa-free transit procedure at Beijing Capital Airport should leave China from Beijing Capital Airport within the 72-hour, but not exit from Shanghai or another airport. 72-hour visa-free transit foreign visitors are not permitted to leave the city where they get their visa-free transit stay permission.