Visa Questions

Question

I am planning travelling to China in September from the Uk to Beijing , Xian , then Flying to Tokyo

For 5 days and back to Beijing for 2 days .Do I qualify for 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy.

If not would it be best Just to stay in China and visit Beijing, Xian and Shanghai for 9 Days.

I hold a British Passport. Any advice would be helpful.

Zoukla

Answer

For your planned trip, whether you qualify for the 240-hour Visa-Free Transit (VFT) policy depends on your travel itinerary and the cities you enter and exit China from.

The 240-hour VFT allows certain nationalities, including British passport holders, to stay in specific cities or regions of China without a visa for up to 10 days (240 hours) if they are transiting to a third country. Key points:

You must enter China from one of the eligible ports (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, or others depending on the regional policy).
Your exit must be to a third country, not returning to the country you arrived from.
Transit through multiple cities is allowed within the approved region, but the policy generally applies only if you enter and leave the same region (e.g., Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei for Beijing VFT, Yangtze River Delta for Shanghai VFT).

In your case:

Arrival in Beijing from the UK – eligible for VFT entry.
Travel to Xi’an by domestic flight – this is within the approved region depending on the policy version, but some sources indicate moving to a different administrative region (Xi’an is in Shaanxi) may affect eligibility.
Flying to Tokyo – this is a third country, so exit is fine.
Returning to Beijing – here is the tricky part: if you already used VFT, you cannot reuse it immediately. You would need a regular tourist (L) visa for the return stay in Beijing.

Therefore, for your full 9-day plan:

Option 1: Try using VFT for your first arrival in Beijing to Tokyo (5 days including Xi’an), then obtain an L visa for your return to Beijing (2 days). This requires arranging a visa for the return portion in advance.
Option 2: Simply apply for a regular L visa for your entire trip, covering Beijing, Xi’an, and any other city. This avoids complications with VFT rules.

Practical advice:

If you want flexibility and certainty, getting a regular tourist visa (L) for the entire 9 days is easiest.
If you wish to try VFT, ensure you do not rely on it for your return to Beijing; you may need to exit and re-enter China under a proper visa.
Always carry proof of onward flights and accommodation bookings as immigration may ask for these.

Given your UK nationality and multiple city itinerary, the regular tourist visa option is generally simpler and more reliable for your travel dates.