Do I need visa

Vancouver – Hong Kong (4 hours) – Beijing (7 hours and changing airline) - Vladivostok

Do I need visa?

Hello,

Based on your itinerary: Vancouver → Hong Kong (4 hours) → Beijing (7 hours, changing airline) → Vladivostok, here’s how the visa requirements work:

1. Transit in Hong Kong (4 hours)

If you are only transiting through Hong Kong for 4 hours and remain in the airport, you generally do not need a visa. Hong Kong allows airside transit without a visa for short layovers for most nationalities.
If you wish to leave the airport during your 4-hour layover, you may need a Hong Kong visa depending on your nationality, but most Canadian, US, EU citizens do not require one for short stays.

2. Transit in Beijing (7 hours, changing airline)

Since you are changing airlines and Beijing is your first entry point into Mainland China, you may be eligible for the 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit (TWOV) if your onward flight is to a third country (Vladivostok in Russia counts as a third country).
Requirements for TWOV include:
- Confirmed onward flight ticket to a third country within the allowed hours (24/72/144 depending on city and nationality).
- Entering through an eligible airport (Beijing Capital Airport qualifies for 24/72/144-hour transit for certain nationalities).
- Staying in the allowed transit area or cities permitted under the TWOV rules.
If your nationality is not eligible for TWOV, or if your layover exceeds the allowed hours, you will need a Chinese visa (L visa) in advance.

Summary:

Hong Kong: No visa needed for airside transit.
Beijing: May qualify for visa-free transit (TWOV) depending on your nationality and eligibility. Otherwise, a visa is required.
Recommendation: Check TWOV eligibility for your nationality and ensure your onward flight is confirmed to Vladivostok.

Note: Always verify the latest entry rules for China and Hong Kong before travel, as policies can change.