Full Explanation Of TWOV Process?

Question

Can someone point me to a good step-by-step explanation of the TWOV process?

At check-in, you just show your flight to a 3rd country?

And on arrival in China, you look for a sign that says 'temporary visa' or something similar? What things will they need to see?

My first airport in China is Guangzhou with a 3h10m layover, and then a domestic flight on the same airline to Beijing.

Thanks

Answer

The Transit Without Visa (TWOV) process in China allows certain nationalities to transit through designated Chinese airports for a limited period without a visa, provided you are traveling onward to a third country. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide for your scenario:

Before Check-In:

Ensure your onward flight to the third country (Beijing to final destination) is confirmed and ticketed.
Verify your eligibility for TWOV. Most nationalities, including UK citizens, are eligible for 24, 72, or 144-hour TWOV depending on the city.
Check that your layover is within the allowed TWOV time (you have 3h10m in Guangzhou, which is fine).

At Check-In:

Present your passport and both your arriving flight from your origin (e.g., London to Guangzhou) and onward flight from China to your third country (Guangzhou to Beijing and onward ticket).
The airline staff may verify that you have a confirmed ticket onward to a third country and that your layover is within the TWOV period.
If everything is in order, you will be checked in as normal. They may tag your luggage to your final destination (Beijing or onward).

On Arrival in Guangzhou:

Follow signs for “Entry for Transit Without Visa” or “TWOV/Temporary Entry.” These are separate from the main immigration line for full visas.
Present your passport, onward flight ticket, and any supporting documents if requested (hotel or travel details in your third country are sometimes asked, though usually the onward flight is enough).
Immigration will stamp your passport with the TWOV entry stamp, showing your allowed duration (usually 24, 72, or 144 hours depending on the city). This is your temporary entry.

After Immigration:

You can remain in the transit area of the airport or enter the city if your layover allows (in your case, 3h10m is not enough to leave the airport).
Go through security again for your domestic flight to Beijing.
Board your domestic flight as usual. Domestic flights within China do not require additional visas.

Tips:

Make sure you do not overstay your TWOV allowance; overstaying can cause fines or future travel restrictions.
Keep all boarding passes and tickets until you exit China or complete your onward journey.
Even for domestic flights within China, always carry your passport; sometimes domestic airlines verify identity at boarding.

In summary, the TWOV process is straightforward: show your onward ticket at check-in, follow the dedicated TWOV line at immigration, get your temporary entry stamp, and proceed to your next flight. For short layovers like yours, you will stay airside, and no additional steps are required beyond standard security and boarding.