TWOV Denials?

Question

While searching the internet, I found several stories of people being denied boarding by airlines that are mistaken about the TWOV program:

https://thepointsguy.com/airline/denied-boarding-china-visa-mistake/

https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1grcyka/denied_boarding_due_to_transit_through_china/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/comments/11xu0n6/twov_denied_boarding_on_flight_to_guangzhou_by/

How often does this happen? Now I'm a bit scared about having issues like this myself.

But the flight I'm planning to use is with China Southern. Surely they're more familiar with the program so there wouldn't be a problem like this?

Answer

The Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program in China allows eligible travelers to transit through certain Chinese cities for up to 24, 72, or 144 hours without a Chinese visa, provided they meet specific conditions. While the program itself is well-established, there have been occasional reports of travelers being denied boarding by airlines due to misunderstandings or miscommunication regarding eligibility.

Here are some key points to consider:

TWOV denials are relatively rare, but they do happen. Most issues occur when airline staff are unfamiliar with the rules, the traveler’s itinerary doesn’t fully meet the requirements, or the documentation (tickets, onward visas) isn’t clear.
Even major airlines like China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern generally understand the program. However, errors can still occur, especially if the transit involves multiple airlines, or if the transit city or duration is not supported by the TWOV policy for that nationality.
Airlines may deny boarding if they perceive that a traveler does not meet the TWOV requirements. Common reasons include:

The onward ticket is not confirmed or is outside the allowed time frame.
The traveler’s passport or nationality is not eligible for the TWOV program in that city.
There are misinterpretations at check-in regarding the rules or required documents.

To reduce the risk of denial:

Confirm eligibility: Check official Chinese government sources or consulate websites for the latest TWOV regulations for your nationality and the specific city of transit.
Check your itinerary carefully: Make sure your transit time and city match the TWOV conditions, and that your onward ticket is confirmed and falls within the allowed window.
Carry all documentation: Bring your passport, onward ticket, and any supporting visa documents for the next destination if required.
Contact the airline in advance: Confirm with China Southern that your itinerary is eligible for TWOV to avoid any last-minute issues at check-in.

Overall, while issues are uncommon, it’s wise to take precautions. China Southern is a major airline and typically familiar with TWOV, so if you have a clear itinerary and all documentation in order, the risk of being denied boarding is low. However, being proactive and confirming with the airline ahead of time is the safest approach.

TWOV Denials?

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