240 TWOV third country ‘rules’

Question

This post has been removed at the author's request.

To read more about editing your posts, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts

Answer

For travelers planning a short transit in China under the 24-hour or 144-hour transit without visa (TWOV) schemes, there are specific rules regarding third-country transit that must be observed. Even if a post on a forum has been removed, the general rules remain consistent across official Chinese immigration sources.

Key points about the 240-hour (10-day) transit policy and third-country rules:

You must be traveling to a third country or region that is different from your arrival country. For example, if you fly from Country A to China and then onward to Country B, you may be eligible for a 240-hour visa-free transit in select cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc.).
Your onward flight must be confirmed and tickets must be issued before arrival. Immigration officers require proof of onward travel, including boarding passes and tickets.
The 240-hour TWOV is available only in certain cities and for specific ports of entry. Not all Chinese airports or cities participate, so check in advance.
The stay must be within the allowed city or province listed in the 240-hour program. Exiting that region without a proper visa is not permitted.
Even with separate bookings, you are generally allowed to use TWOV as long as the entry and exit meet the requirements: third-country travel, confirmed tickets, and within designated cities.

Additional considerations:

Ensure your nationality is eligible for the 240-hour TWOV program at the city you plan to enter.
Check your arrival city’s official immigration website for current rules and any temporary restrictions.
Maintain all supporting documents handy at immigration: passport, confirmed tickets, hotel bookings, and any visa (if applicable) for the third country.

In practice, travelers have successfully used 240-hour TWOV with separate airline bookings, but each case is subject to the discretion of the immigration officer. Always verify with official sources before travel.