Visa for 5h stopover in Ghangzhou?

Question

Hi there,

I'm traveling to Vietnam for 2 weeks next month on a British passport.

My flights are as follows:

London Heathrow > Guangzhou, China (5h layover) > Hanoi, Vietnam (with China Southern)

Ho Chi Minh > Doha, Qatar (3h layover) > London Heathrow (with Qatar Airways)

I am finding it a bit difficult to work out if I will need a visa for my layover in China.

From China Southern's website - https://www.csair.com/en/tourguide/transit_flow/flightsTwo_hub/72_hour_stay/

"Citizens of 54 countries and regions in Europe, America, Oceania, and Asia can enter China without applying for a Chinese visa if they hold valid international travel documents and possess a third-country visa along with an interline ticket with a fixed date and seat to a third country (or region) within 144 hours upon arrival. This policy allows them to enter China through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport..."

All of this is true for me, and the United Kingdom is one of the countries listed, however, I don't have a visa for Vietnam, as I'm there for less than 45 days, and don't need one.

I am also not planning on leaving the airport during my layover.

If anyone has taken this route before, or if anyone has any general advice, it would be so appreciated!

Thanks :)

Answer

If you are a British passport holder with a confirmed onward flight to a third country (Vietnam in your case), and your layover at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is only 5 hours, you generally do not need a visa as long as you remain in the international transit area of the airport. China allows certain nationalities to transit without a visa under the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, provided that travelers meet specific requirements.

Here are the key points relevant to your situation:

Since your layover is less than 144 hours and you hold a British passport (which is on the approved list), you are eligible for visa-free transit in Guangzhou.
You do not need a visa as long as you remain inside the international transit area of the airport and do not attempt to enter mainland China.
You must hold a confirmed onward ticket with a fixed date and seat to your next destination (Hanoi, Vietnam), which you have.
The visa-free transit policy also requires that your onward travel is to a third country or region (Vietnam qualifies) and not back to the origin country.

Additional practical advice for your 5-hour layover:

Since your layover is short, it is recommended to stay in the transit area, go through security checks, and be mindful of boarding times for your connecting flight.
If your connecting flight is with the same airline (China Southern) and on an interline ticket, your luggage may be automatically transferred to the next flight, which reduces stress and avoids needing to go through immigration.
Even though visa-free transit is allowed, carry all relevant documents including your passport, onward flight ticket, and any visas (if applicable) for your next destination.
Do not attempt to leave the airport unless you plan for extra time, as leaving would typically require passing immigration and may involve stricter visa requirements.

In summary, for a 5-hour layover at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport with a British passport, traveling to Vietnam without leaving the airport, you do not need a visa. Just ensure that you remain in the transit area and have all necessary travel documents for your onward flight. This setup is common for many transit passengers through Guangzhou, and the process is usually smooth if you follow the airport instructions.

Visa for 5h stopover in Ghangzhou?

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