24h Transit at Ürümqi ,Pakistani Passport Visa Requirment?

Question

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Answer

If you are a Pakistani passport holder and plan to transit through Ürümqi in Xinjiang for 24 hours, you need to carefully consider visa requirements. China generally allows certain nationalities to use 24-hour transit without a visa (TWOV), but Pakistan is not on the list of countries eligible for this transit policy in most cities, including Ürümqi.

Key points to know:

Pakistani passport holders are typically required to have a valid Chinese visa even for short layovers, including 24-hour transits in Ürümqi.
Without a valid visa, you are not allowed to leave the airport or board a connecting flight in Ürümqi.
If your itinerary involves connecting flights within 24 hours and staying airside (not passing through immigration), technically you might not need a visa, but this is risky and often not permitted for Pakistani nationals.

Recommended actions:

Apply for a standard Chinese visa in advance before traveling. Even a single-entry tourist visa would suffice for a short transit stop.
Confirm with your airline whether they allow transit for Pakistani passport holders in Ürümqi without a visa.
If your stop is strictly airport-to-airport without leaving the transit area, verify that immigration authorities will not require a visa for your nationality.
Consider alternative transit hubs in China where 24-hour visa-free transit is available for a broader range of nationalities, though Pakistanis are generally excluded.

In summary, for a Pakistani passport holder, it is safest to obtain a Chinese visa before your trip to ensure smooth transit through Ürümqi.