Confused with the China TWOV Thing, please help!

Question

In May we are looking to go:

London - Beijing (4/5 Nights)

Beijing - Tokyo (6/7 Nights)

Tokyo - Hong Kong or Singapore (3 Nights)

HK/S - London

My question is, as we are flying into Beijing initially, are we ok to fly into Hong Kong 10/12 nights later?

Is this relevant to the TWOV rules as I’m finding it all a bit confusing to understand.

The only reason we’re using Beijing and thinking of Hong Kong is that it’s much cheaper to fly there rather than direct to Japan.. so we thought we’d make a multi trip of it all and see a few places.

If anyone has any other route suggestions then please do let me know, as we could be interested in stopping off at Taiwan or Philippines too. Just whatever works and makes the flights shorter/cheaper.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Answer

Thank you for your question. The TWOV (Transit Without Visa) rules in China are specific to mainland China and do not apply to Hong Kong or other special administrative regions, which have separate entry requirements. Here’s a detailed breakdown to clarify your itinerary.

1. Beijing Arrival

You will be landing in Beijing from London. As a UK passport holder, you will need a valid Chinese visa for Beijing unless you qualify for the 144-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit. However, since this is your first point of entry and you are staying for several nights (4–5 nights), you will require a standard tourist (L) visa for China.

2. Beijing to Tokyo

Flights from Beijing to Tokyo are international. Once you leave mainland China, the TWOV rules do not affect your Japan entry. You just need to comply with Japan’s visa requirements (UK citizens do not require a short-term tourist visa for Japan).

3. Tokyo to Hong Kong / Singapore

Hong Kong and Singapore have independent immigration systems. TWOV for mainland China does not apply here.
For Hong Kong: UK passport holders do not need a visa for short visits (usually up to 90 days). You can fly into Hong Kong 10–12 nights after your initial Beijing arrival without issue.
For Singapore: UK passport holders also do not need a visa for short-term visits.

4. Considerations for TWOV in China

TWOV only applies if you transit through mainland China to a third country without obtaining a visa, and typically within 144 or 240 hours depending on city/region. Since you are entering Beijing first and staying multiple nights, you will need a visa.
Stops in Hong Kong or Singapore after Japan are not counted for TWOV since these are separate territories with their own visa policies.

5. Alternative route suggestions

If cost is a concern, you could consider flying into Tokyo first, then traveling to Beijing, and onward to Hong Kong or Singapore. This may avoid the need for a long stay visa in China if you just pass through for a short period.
Adding Taiwan or the Philippines is feasible, but remember that each territory has its own visa requirements and entry rules.
Always check flight times, layovers, and visa requirements to ensure smooth connections.

Summary: Your planned sequence—London → Beijing → Tokyo → Hong Kong/Singapore → London—is fine. TWOV rules in China do not restrict your entry to Hong Kong after Japan. You only need a standard tourist visa for Beijing due to your multi-night stay.

Confused with the China TWOV Thing, please help!

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