Enter Guangzhou through the HK Highspeed Train with no Visa?

Question

I'm planning to stay in Hong Kong later this month, and I was hoping during that time I would have the opportunity to visit Guangzhou, in Mainland China. I've seen that for some nationalities, some districts in China including Guangdong, do not require a visa for travelers that plan to stay under 144 hours, as long as they arrive through permitted ports, to my understanding. I was hoping to ask if it is possible to visit Guangzhou in Mainland China without a visa through the highspeed train at the West Kowloon Station, for a trip that is under 144 hours! I see the laws regarding this are repaidly changing, and that staying up to 240 hours entering through Baiyun airport without a visa is possible, but I would really really like to ride the high speed train as I find those super cool. Can anyone help me be sure that it is possible or redirect me to solve this issue?

Answer

Currently, China has implemented various short-term visa-free transit policies, such as the 144-hour and 240-hour TWOV (Transit Without Visa) programs. However, these programs are strictly tied to specific entry ports and rules.

For the 144-hour visa-free transit in Guangdong Province, the rules generally allow travelers of eligible nationalities to enter China without a visa if:

You are entering through approved ports in the province (mostly airports and some seaports).
Your stay is under 144 hours (6 days) and your onward flight or transport is to a third country or region, not returning to the place you came from.

Regarding entry via the Hong Kong – Guangzhou High-Speed Rail (West Kowloon Station):

As of now, this route is not included in the approved ports for the 144-hour TWOV program in Guangdong.
Only arrivals at certain airports in Guangdong (like Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Zhuhai Airport) are eligible for the 144-hour or 240-hour visa-free entry.
High-speed rail entry from Hong Kong is treated as a regular border entry, which generally requires a valid Chinese visa unless the traveler meets other very specific criteria.

In practical terms, this means that if you want to ride the high-speed train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, you will most likely need a valid Chinese visa for entry. The TWOV rules for air and some seaport arrivals do not currently extend to land or train crossings at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon station.

Options to consider:

Apply for a standard Chinese tourist visa before your trip, allowing you to freely travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou via high-speed rail.
Consider flying into Guangzhou Baiyun Airport if your main goal is to use the TWOV allowance without a visa.
Keep updated on government announcements, as entry rules can change, but as of now, the train route does not qualify for TWOV.

In summary, riding the Hong Kong – Guangzhou high-speed train without a visa is currently not permitted under the 144-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit rules. A regular visa will be necessary for this travel.

Enter Guangzhou through the HK Highspeed Train with no Visa?

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