China offers visa-free entry to travelers holding ordinary passports from Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia, Sweden, Canada and United Kingdom. Citizens from those countries are able to enter China without a visa and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes till December 31, 2026.
So if your nationality is one of those countries, you DO NOT need to follow below instructions to apply for the transit visa, just please go to immigration directly.
1. Countries qualified for the 24/240 hours free Transit Visa in Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport now (Dec, 2024) adopts 240 hours free Transit visa to the holders of passports issued by the following countries: Canada, Indonesia, Chile, Czech Republic, Mexico, Macedonia, Monaco, Republic of Montenegro, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
According to our experience, some of the countries do not belong to the 240 hours visa free countries, but if you layover within 24 hours in Beijing, you still can obtain the visa free for 24 hours. Such as: India, Philippines, Vietnam, Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, Dominican Republic, etc.
2. Restrictions of the 24/240 hours free Transit Visa
It only applies to passengers who transit through Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. The destination and place of departure cannot be the same.(e.g Auckland – Beijing – Auckland).
3. About how to get free Transit Visa at Beijing airport
Please see details at: https://www.beijinglayovertour.com/beijing-layover-tour-tips/.
Even if you fit all the policies above, the immigration officers still have the right to object to you for some reasons (sometimes they will tell you the reason, sometimes they don’t).
If you want to be 100% sure, please apply for the visa in advance at the Chinese Embassy.
We found some reasons that cause you can not obtain the free Transit Visa.
1. The validity of your passport is less than 3 months.
2. Worked or been to Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan.
There must be more reasons but we just don’t know yet. (The latest updated on Nov. 17, 2023)
As a tour company, if we agree to arrange a tour for you that means your flight information, layover time and your nationality fit the visa free policy requirements.
But there are still some other issues that might happen that might cause you can not obtain the visa-free or can not get out of the airport.
We don’t take any responsibility if it happens. And according to our private tour refund policy, we will deduct our tour guide and driver airport transfer costs accordingly and refund the rest of the tour fee to you. (Most companies are non-refundable)
Hope for your understanding!
If I travel from USA -> Dubai -> China -> Dubai -> USA, can I get the 72 Hours Visa Free in Beijing International Airport?
Hi Sean,
We donot think you can get the visa-free permit. According to visa-free policy, the destination and place of departure cannot be the same.
Hi there I’m a Latvian EU citizen and traveling through Beijing airport
I wanna know if I will be needing a visa free permit stamp to leave the airport for a Beijing layover tour and if so will it cost me anything
Hi Davis,
Yes, you will need get visa-free permit stamp first, then you can get out of airport. That is free of charges. Our travel advisor has been replied your email, please check.
I have a US passport. I will be arriving from Sri Lanka into Beijing on Friday, Dec 1 at 11pm. I will leave Saturday, Dec 2 at 5:30 pm.
1. Since I have less than 24 hours in Beijing, do I need a visa?
I would like to be picked up from my hotel on Saturday and returned to the airport.
2. I would like to do the Muutianya wall and one other stop. What would you recommend?
It is just me traveling, so I think I need a private tour.
Thank you,
Sandra
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for contacting us!
According to your layover time, you can get visa-free permit for sure. I recommend you visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City. This is the best tour itinerary for who have a long layover in Beijing.
We just sent you an email about detailed tour itinerary, please check it out.
Hi,
can I fly from Taipei to Beijing stay there 72 hours and take the same flight back to Taipei?
I’m asking because it is not a real transit flight, is it still possible?
You help is appreciated.
Hi Alex,
No, you cannot get the Visa-free permit. According to Beijing Visa-free policy, the destination and place of departure cannot be the same. You would have to apply Chinese entry visa in advance.