Transit Visa required?

Question

I'll be travelling to Bangkok via Haikou, China on Hainan airlines in a few months. As a Briton do I require any kind of transit visa/documentation other than my passport for my transfer in Haikou? Online information is a bit vague about this and I'm not sure what I should be doing if anything.

Has anyone from the UK done this lately and can give me any info ? :)

Answer

If you're a British citizen traveling from London to Bangkok via Haikou with Hainan Airlines, you do not require a transit visa for your layover in Haikou, provided you meet certain conditions.

China offers a 30-day visa-free entry to nationals of 59 countries, including the United Kingdom, for travel to Hainan Province. This policy applies to various purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, and attending exhibitions or sports events. The stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day following your entry .

However, it's important to note that this visa-free policy applies specifically to travel within Hainan Province. If your onward flight departs from Haikou and remains within Hainan, you can stay up to 30 days without a visa. But if you intend to travel to other parts of mainland China, you would need to apply for a separate visa .

In summary, as a British citizen transiting through Haikou on your way to Bangkok, you do not need a transit visa, provided your stay is confined to Hainan Province and your onward flight departs from Haikou. Always ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of entry into China and that you have all necessary travel documents for your onward journey.

Transit Visa required?

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