Using Guangzhou transit to stay in Hong Kong

Question

Hello, I am quite confused regarding the different types of free visas and all the changes to the rules that seem to happen regularly.

We are NZ citizens travelling from NZ to Guangzhou and then on to Paris 4 days later, all flights on the same ticket. Return flight has an 18hr stop over.

We arrive in Guangzhou at 6am, can we head off to Hong Kong as soon as we arrive and spend 3 nights there before returning to Guangzhou for our onward flight? And can this be done without any preorganised visas? Thanks in advance

Answer

For New Zealand citizens, traveling through Guangzhou and then spending a few days in Hong Kong before your onward flight to Paris is possible, but there are important details to consider regarding visas and transit rules.

Here’s a detailed explanation:

Transit through Guangzhou: China allows certain travelers to use a 144-hour (6-day) visa-free transit in specific regions, including Guangdong province. However, this transit visa generally requires that your next destination be a third country or region outside mainland China. In your case, if you leave mainland China for Hong Kong, that technically counts as leaving China, which may interrupt the eligibility for a continuous 144-hour transit stay.
Traveling to Hong Kong: New Zealand citizens can enter Hong Kong visa-free for stays up to 90 days. This means you can go directly from Guangzhou to Hong Kong upon arrival without needing a prearranged visa for Hong Kong. You would pass through Chinese exit/entry procedures at Guangzhou before leaving for Hong Kong.
Returning to Guangzhou: To return to Guangzhou after spending 3 nights in Hong Kong for your onward flight, you will need a proper entry permit for mainland China. The 144-hour transit visa is meant for short stays in transit and may not be valid after leaving for Hong Kong. Therefore, you would likely need to apply for a standard Chinese tourist visa (L visa) in advance or arrange a new transit visa depending on current regulations.

Summary of options:

Option 1: Apply for a standard Chinese visa in advance. This allows you to freely enter and exit Guangzhou and visit Hong Kong without worrying about the transit visa limitations.
Option 2: If relying on the 144-hour transit visa, you could technically stay in Guangzhou and nearby areas, but leaving for Hong Kong during this period may invalidate the transit status.
Option 3: Spend the entire 4 days within mainland China (Guangzhou, nearby cities) without leaving for Hong Kong, which allows the 144-hour visa-free transit to be fully utilized.

Practical recommendation:

For peace of mind and to ensure smooth travel, it is strongly advised to obtain a standard Chinese tourist visa in advance if you plan to spend multiple days in mainland China with a visit to Hong Kong in between.
When traveling to Hong Kong, ensure your entry documents and flight details are clear, and keep in mind you will go through immigration both leaving mainland China and entering again for your onward flight.
Check with your airline or a Chinese consulate to confirm the latest rules, as transit visa regulations can change frequently.

In short, you can go to Hong Kong visa-free as an NZ citizen, but returning to Guangzhou without a proper visa may not be allowed if you rely solely on a transit visa.

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