Visa Question: Vietnam - China - Laos

Question

Hello!

I think I know the correct answer, but reading a lot of different replies to visa questions, I‘m not 100% sure anymore:

Day after tomorrow I‘ll travel by train from Vietnam to China via Lao Cai / Hekou North.

From there I‘m traveling to Kunming by train and then crossing the border to Laos via Boten, also by train. Altogether just less than a week.

As per my understanding and my research the 30 days visa exception for China is fine for this. I have a German passport.

Or am I wrong?

Best regards, Matthias

Answer

For a German passport holder, traveling from Vietnam to China via the Lao Cai/Hekou North border and then onward to Kunming, followed by a crossing into Laos via Boten, there are a few important visa considerations to keep in mind.

Firstly, the 30-day visa exemption you mentioned is specific to Hainan province or under certain conditions in other provinces, but it generally does not cover an overland entry through northern land borders like Lao Cai/Hekou. Overland entry into mainland China almost always requires a valid visa obtained in advance.

Here are the key points:

Entry at Lao Cai/Hekou North: This is a land border crossing. Germany is not part of a general overland visa-free agreement for this border, so you will need a valid Chinese visa issued before your arrival. You cannot rely on a 30-day visa-free entry for this overland crossing.
Travel within China: With a proper visa, you can travel from the border to Kunming and any other cities, as your itinerary requires.
Exit to Laos: When leaving China to enter Laos via Boten, there are no special transit exemptions required, but your Chinese visa must still be valid for the duration of your stay in China.

Additional advice:

Check the visa type: For your less-than-a-week itinerary, a single-entry tourist visa (L visa) is suitable.
Apply in advance: Obtain your Chinese visa from the Chinese embassy or consulate in Germany (or a nearby country) before departing, as overland entry without a visa is not permitted for German passport holders.
Border formalities: Ensure you have all documents ready at Lao Cai/Hekou North, including your passport, visa, and any travel details for onward destinations.

In summary, while your itinerary is short and straightforward, the 30-day visa-free exception does not apply to your planned land border entry. You will need a valid Chinese visa in advance to legally enter China from Vietnam at Lao Cai/Hekou North.

Visa Question: Vietnam - China - Laos

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