Transit without visa via Beijing to HK

Question

Good morning,

I'm planning to travel from London to Dubai, spend a couple of days there, and the from Dubai to Beijing, spend 5 days there, and then fly to HK, spend a week there, and then go back to London via Dubai.

I'm travelling on a British passport. Can I use the 144-hour transit without visa option if I travel from Dubai to Beijing and then I continue my trip to HK?

My plan is to fly with Emirates to Beijing, and then from Beijing to HK with Air China.

I'm wondering if I need to apply for a visa to visit Beijing. I don't need a visa to visit HK.

My concern is that I'm travelling with two different airlines and, also, I'm not sure whether HK qualifies as third country for the transit without visa option via Mainland China. The rules mention "third countries (or regions)".

Could you please advice?

Many thanks

Answer

Yes, as a British passport holder, you can generally use the 144-hour visa-free transit (TWOV) option in Beijing, but there are specific conditions you need to meet.

Here are the main points:

The 144-hour TWOV applies to passengers transiting through certain Chinese cities (including Beijing) who will continue their trip to a “third country or region.”
Hong Kong qualifies as a “third region” for the purpose of the transit without visa policy, so flying from Beijing to Hong Kong meets this requirement.
You must hold confirmed onward tickets to Hong Kong with a departure within 144 hours of your arrival in Beijing. Your tickets can be on different airlines; there is no requirement to use the same airline.
You need to enter China via one of the eligible airports for 144-hour TWOV, and Beijing Capital International Airport is included.

Additional considerations:

During the TWOV stay, you must stay within the allowed areas in Beijing and nearby regions (the city and certain designated surrounding areas). You cannot leave the designated zone without a proper visa.
Upon arrival in Beijing, you must go through immigration and declare your intention to use the 144-hour TWOV. The officers will check your onward tickets and passport.
It is strongly recommended to have all supporting documents ready, including hotel bookings and a detailed itinerary for your stay in Beijing.
If your plans change and you wish to visit regions outside the 144-hour TWOV area, you will need to apply for a Chinese visa in advance.

Summary:

Your itinerary of flying Dubai → Beijing (5 days) → Hong Kong → London is eligible for 144-hour visa-free transit in Beijing.
No visa is required if you comply with the rules above and remain within the permitted area.
Different airlines are acceptable, and Hong Kong is treated as a third region for this purpose.

Ensure that your onward flight from Beijing to Hong Kong is confirmed and within the 144-hour window. With proper documentation, you should be able to enjoy your 5-day stay in Beijing without applying for a visa.