Visa-free entry in China as Irish citizen

Question

Hi,

I'm a British/Irish citizen with passports for both countries and was wondering if I could travel into China and visit Beijing for a few days (4/5) and then Shanghai for the same before departing to Taiwan and then onwards to Japan...

I'm under the impression that I can stay in China for 15 days for tourism now through my Irish citizenship without needing a visa but just wanted to check this was all okay and I was able to then move around from one province to another before flying out to Taiwan. Also question whether it’s wise to have the forward connection being Taiwan given their current relations with China and whether the Chinese authorities would actually include that trip in their quota...

I'll be travelling late Sept/early Oct time.

Any help on this would be appreciated as really don't want to get caught out - thanks!

Answer

As an Irish citizen, you are eligible for China's 15-day visa-free transit policy, but it is important to note that this only applies under specific conditions. Typically, visa-free entry is granted for transit purposes when you have confirmed onward travel to a third country or region. Since you plan to visit Beijing and Shanghai before flying to Taiwan, this can fall under the 15-day visa-free transit policy, provided your travel is properly documented.

Key considerations for your trip:

You must enter China through a port that allows the 15-day visa-free transit. Most major airports, including Beijing Capital or Daxing and Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao, qualify.
You need a confirmed onward flight out of China, which in your case is to Taiwan. The authorities will check that you have valid tickets and travel documents.
The 15-day period is counted from your date of entry, and you can move between provinces during that time. There are no restrictions on internal travel within China under this policy.

Regarding your forward connection to Taiwan:

Although China does not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country, for immigration purposes, flights to Taiwan are generally accepted as a valid onward destination for visa-free transit.
Ensure that your flight and travel documents are consistent and clearly indicate your departure to Taiwan, as this is the key requirement for the visa-free entry.

Other important tips:

Carry both passports (British and Irish) in case immigration requires identification verification. Enter using the Irish passport to take advantage of the visa-free policy.
Have your itinerary and hotel bookings ready for inspection by immigration authorities.
Late September to early October is close to China’s National Day holiday (Golden Week), so expect busy airports and possibly stricter checks, so allow extra time for arrivals.

In summary, as long as you meet the 15-day visa-free transit requirements, have a confirmed onward flight to Taiwan, and enter through a qualifying airport, you should be able to travel to Beijing and Shanghai without a Chinese visa. Make sure your documents are clear, and plan for slightly longer processing times during the holiday period.

Visa-free entry in China as Irish citizen

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