Canadian passport to China on TWOV

Question

Hi, if I fly from YYZ to XMN with a stopover in HKG (or any other country for that matter), can I then fly back from XMN to YYZ if I clear immigration in the stopover country? TIA.

Answer

For Canadian passport holders planning to travel to China with a stopover in another country, including Hong Kong (HKG), there are several important considerations regarding transit and visa requirements.

Regarding your itinerary from Toronto (YYZ) to Xiamen (XMN) with a stopover in Hong Kong or another country, and returning from XMN to YYZ, here’s what you need to know:

If you remain in the international transit area of the stopover country and do not clear immigration, this is typically considered an airside transit, and you generally do not need a visa for the stopover.
If you choose to clear immigration at the stopover country (for example, entering Hong Kong or any other country), you are technically entering that country, and you must comply with their entry requirements. For Hong Kong, Canadian passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 180 days, so clearing immigration there is straightforward. For other countries, you need to verify the specific visa policy for Canadians.
The Two-Way Transit (TWOV) rule in mainland China allows eligible passengers to transit through certain Chinese cities without a visa for a limited time, provided they meet specific requirements, such as having confirmed onward tickets within 24, 72, or 144 hours depending on the city. Xiamen (XMN) is one of the cities that may offer 144-hour visa-free transit for certain nationalities, including Canadians, but you must check current regulations as they can change.

Key practical points:

If you clear immigration in the stopover country (e.g., Hong Kong), you will be treated as having entered that country, so visa-free entry is governed by that country’s rules, not China’s TWOV.
Your return flight from XMN to YYZ does not require additional visas as long as you have cleared entry into China correctly (via visa or TWOV) and meet departure requirements.
Always ensure that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your date of entry into China.
Check airline and Chinese government sources for any recent updates on TWOV eligibility for Canadian citizens, as policies can change rapidly.

In summary, you can transit via Hong Kong or another country and clear immigration there if you meet that country’s entry requirements. Your main concern for XMN is whether you need a visa or qualify for the 144-hour TWOV, depending on your travel dates and itinerary.