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Transit Visa - US -> China -> Japan

Hi all!

Going to Japan in March, and I'd love to spend about 7-9 days in China before. Beijing and the surrounding area.

My itinerary would be US -> China (under 10 days) -> Japan.

This would all be covered under the transit visa, correct? Just trying to wrap my head around the entry and exit requirements (as I read it, I must be in transit to a DIFFERENT place, which I would be - US to Japan, by way of China.

Thanks!

Yes, your plan could fall under China’s transit visa exemption scheme, but there are important details to be aware of.

China offers visa-free transit for certain nationalities, including U.S. passport holders, under the 144-hour (6-day) or 72-hour (3-day) transit visa-free policies. The key requirements are:

  • Your entry into China must be part of a continuous itinerary to a third country (in your case, Japan).
  • You must hold confirmed onward tickets to the third country, with departure within the allowed transit period.
  • The transit must be through eligible cities or regions. For example, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and several others are covered for the 144-hour scheme.
  • You must stay within the designated transit area or province/city unless otherwise specified (some cities allow movement across the whole province).

Important points for your plan:

  • If you plan to spend 7–9 days in China, the standard 144-hour transit exemption may not be enough, because it only allows 6 days. For a stay longer than that, you would need to apply for a proper tourist visa in advance.
  • The transit exemption is specifically meant for short stays while waiting to depart for a third country. Using it to explore China for over a week exceeds the intended duration.
  • At the port of entry, you will need to present your onward ticket to Japan and possibly proof of accommodation during your stay.
  • If your flights do not fit within the allowed transit period, the immigration officer may deny entry.

In summary, while your route (US → China → Japan) satisfies the “transit to a different country” requirement, the duration of 7–9 days exceeds the allowed period for visa-free transit. Therefore, you should apply for a regular tourist visa for China to legally cover the entire duration.

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