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Notice on 72-hour Visa-free Transit for Citizens of the Republic of Macedonia via 17 Airports in China

2015-11-23 02:17

From 01.08.2014, passport holders of following the 51 countries,including Macedonian citizens, can enjoy 72-hours visa-free Transit via Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN), Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU), Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG), Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE), Dalian International Airport (DLC), Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB), Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY), Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL), Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH), Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN), Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO) and Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN):

Schengen Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. Switzerland

Other European Countries: Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, UK, Ukraine

America: US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Asia: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar

For the most frequently asked questions about this policy concerned, please find the answers as follows: 

1. What documents are required for passengers from the above 51 countries to benefit from this policy and apply for permits to go out of the airport?

Passengers are qualified to transit in those cities without visa only if they have valid passport or travel documents, as well as the confirmed flight ticket onward to the third country or region and valid visa (if required).

2. How and where can I apply for a transit permit if I plan to go out of the airport during my stopover?

You can put forward your request for transit to your airline in advance, so that the airline can declare this to the Immigration Inspection prior to your visit. You will be granted a transit permit at the airport if you meet all requirements.

NOTE: Beijing Capital International Airport has now changed this procedure, passengers can apply directly for 72 hour free transit permit after arrival at the airport.

3. I plan to enter Shanghai first and then buy ticket to another country within 72 hours. Am I allowed entry and transit without visa?

According to the requirements, you must provide confirmed ticket to the third country or region when apply for the free transit permit. Otherwise, you can not enjoy this policy.

4. I have a flight ticket from New York to Shanghai, and a separate ticket back to Los Angles. May I use this 72 hour free transit?

The answer is NO. The place of departure and destination should not be in the same country or region. If you fly from New York to a third country via Shanghai, then you apply to this policy.

5. Am I allowed to visit other cities during my 72-hour free stay with transit permit? Or, if I can not depart within 3 days, what should I do?

You are not allowed to visit other cities during the transit, except in Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Qingdao you are permited to travel in the whole province. If you have to visit other cities, or you cannot depart from the transit city within the 3 days allowed, then you should apply for a Chinese visa from local Public Security Bureau.

6. I plan to take a flight to Beijing for 3 days, and then take Trans-Siberian train from there to Ulan Bator in Mongolia. Am I eligible for this trip?

Visa is required if you visit China this way. 72 hour free transit policy is for air passengers only. That is to say, you have to leave by air from the same airport. For passengers who plan to enter or leave China by train or cruise, they should apply for either Chinese transit (G type) or tourist (L type) in advance.

7. If the arrival and departure of flights is more than 72 hours, is it permissible remain in the airport for some of the time and go to the city for the 72 hours or is the timing form the flight times?

If it is only several hours more than the requirements, you can apply to enjoy this policy without waiting. According to the latest information from the airports, the 72 hours are calculated from 00:00 the following day of the entry date to the scheduled departure time in almost all the airports. However, if you happen to transfer in Beijing, you had better consult the airport in advance by dialing 0086-10-56095400, just in case that the 72-hour period counts from the scheduled arrival time to the departure time.

8. If I understood correctly, even with this free transit policy for 72 hours, a transit permit has to be done at the airport when arriving? And this transit permit has to be then registered in a police station in the 24 next hours? What happens if my stay there is only of 20 hours? Can I save myself this registration which is probably time-consuming?

Yes, the transit permit should be done at the airport on arrival. But the registration will be done when you check into a hotel. It is not necessary to register yourself personally at the local police station.

Anyway, if you still have questions on 72 hour visa-free transit, please call Beijing Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-10-56095400, Shanghai Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-21-51105100, Guangzhou Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-20-36066950, Chengdu Airport at 0086-28-85205555, Chongqing Airport at 0086-23-966666, Shenyang Airport at 0086-24-96833, Dalian Airport at 0086-411-96600, Harbin Airport at 0086-451-82894220, Xian Airport at 0086-29-88796997, Guilin Airport at 0086-773-2845359, Kunming Airport at 0086-871-96566, Hangzhou Airport at 0086-571-96299, Wuhan Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-27-85333600, Tianjin Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-22-24905908, Qingdao Airport at 0086-532-96567 and Xiamen Airport Immigration Inspection at 0086-592-5706805 for more information.

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