72-hour transit visa exemption policy to encourage tourists to visit China

Chengdu, Sept. 4: The measure of granting 72-hour free – visa stays for foreign nationals at airports of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu is expected to attract a large number of tourists and business people to China.

Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, is the fourth city to introduce the visa-free policy following Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou this year.

According to the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security ,travelers from  45 countries may apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption, which include – 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,  7 other European countries: Russia, Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine, 6 American countries: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile, 2 Oceania countries: Australia and New Zealand and 6 Asian countries: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

The visa-free scheme for citizens from 45 countries destined for a third country (region) with booked connecting flight was implemented for the first time on January 1, 2013 at the ports of entry of the airports in Shanghai and Beijing.

The scheme is implemented at the port of entry of the Baiyun Airport of Guangzhou on August 1 and Chengdu of Sichuan Province on September 1 , 2013.

During the visa exemption period, the passenger is allowed to move around within the administration precincts of Beijing, Shanghai municipality, Guangdong province and Chengdu.

Transit passengers may apply  72-hour transit visa exemption with valid international traveling documents and air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country (region) traveling within 72 hours may apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption .

A foreign national that meets the requirements may submit request to the airline company and the airline company or the passenger can apply to the border control authorities of the airports that shall grant a temporary entry of a passenger meeting the requirements for transit visa exemption upon verification.

 According to the requirements, a foreign national applying for the 72-hour transit visa exemption must hold the air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat.  This facilitation measure does not apply to a foreign national that does not have a confirmed air ticket for a connecting flight leaving within 72 hours.

The 72-hour transit visa exemption measure is for a foreign national passing through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu for a third country or region. 

According to Xinhua , a total of 245 Fortune Global 500 companies have bases in Chengdu by the end of June, and the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport had air services to more than 40 cities overseas. It handled 1.08 million entry and exit passengers in the first half of the year. – Travel BizNews