Visa Free Query - Hong Kong to Guangzhou

Question

Hi, my family is flying to Hong Kong, and then wanting to catch the train to Guangzhou to stay for 4 nights, then transit back to Hong Kong.

Is Hong Kong West Kowloon an entry port for China where we can use Visa Free Travel (we are Australian). And any issues we might encounter?

Following this trip to Guangzhou we then fly from Hong Kong to Beijing, but I don't anticipate any issues with Visa free travel into the airport, just not sure if Kowloon station has any specifics we need.

Answer

Hong Kong West Kowloon Station is the terminus for the high-speed train to Mainland China, including Guangzhou. For Australian passport holders, visa requirements depend on the type of entry and duration of stay in Mainland China.

Visa-Free Travel Considerations:

Hong Kong does offer a 7-day visa-free transit for certain travelers, but this is only valid for short stays in Hong Kong itself, not for entering Mainland China.
To travel from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Guangzhou by high-speed train, you are entering Mainland China. For Australian citizens, a valid Chinese visa is required unless you qualify for special transit policies such as the 144-hour or 72-hour visa-free transit, which apply to specific cities and airports, but not generally for West Kowloon departures.
There is no provision for visa-free entry into Mainland China directly from West Kowloon Station for an extended stay in Guangzhou.

Practical Tips for Travel from West Kowloon to Guangzhou:

Ensure you obtain a Chinese visa in advance for your family if staying 4 nights in Guangzhou.
At West Kowloon Station, there is a China Immigration checkpoint. You will need passports and valid Chinese visas to pass through.
Check-in and immigration at West Kowloon Station is similar to an airport departure; allow extra time for queues, especially if traveling with children or luggage.
Tickets for high-speed trains can be purchased online or at the station, but you will need your passports to board the train.

Returning to Hong Kong:

When returning from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, you will exit Mainland China at Guangzhou South Station and enter Hong Kong at West Kowloon or another entry point.
For entry into Hong Kong, Australian citizens currently enjoy 90-day visa-free entry, so no issues are anticipated.
Ensure you have all passports ready for immigration both ways, especially since traveling with children.

In summary, West Kowloon Station is not a visa-free entry point for extended stays in Mainland China. You will need a valid Chinese visa for traveling to Guangzhou. Hong Kong entry and exit itself is visa-free for Australians for 90 days, but Mainland China requires a visa or applicable transit policy.

Visa Free Query - Hong Kong to Guangzhou

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