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10 day visa free entry questions

Hi, I'm a Brit wanting to travel to China soon and I understand I can enter for 10 days visa free.

My questions are, how can I find out which ports of entry I can use and second, I heard that I must travel on to a third country. I cannot return to the country I just left. Is that true?

Thanks for any info

For British passport holders, China allows certain visa-free entry schemes, including the 10-day visa-free transit for visits to specific cities. This is generally called a “transit without visa” (TWOV) policy for short stays.

Ports of Entry:

  • The 10-day visa-free entry is usually valid for major international airports and some land or sea ports. Examples include Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao Airports, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, and several others.
  • You can find the full, up-to-date list on the official website of China’s Ministry of Public Security or through the Chinese embassies’ official guidance pages. Each port has its own rules, so checking in advance is essential.

Travel onward requirements:

  • Yes, the 10-day visa-free entry is meant for transit to a third country. You cannot return to the country you just came from. For example, if you fly from the UK to China under this scheme, you must continue onward to a different country (not the UK) after your stay in China.
  • This requirement ensures that the visa-free entry is used for transit purposes rather than general tourism.

Practical tips:

  • Ensure you have confirmed tickets for onward travel to a third country before you arrive in China. Immigration officers may ask to see proof of onward travel.
  • Double-check airline policies, as some airlines may require confirmation that your onward travel meets visa-free transit rules before allowing boarding.
  • Be aware that although you can stay up to 10 days, the exact duration granted can be at the discretion of immigration officers on arrival.

In summary, you can use the 10-day visa-free entry at approved ports, but you must continue onward to a third country and cannot return to your country of origin during this transit period. Always check the official sources to confirm eligibility and port details before planning your trip.

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