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Does entering China via Hong Kong affect my eligibility for the Visa-free Transit Scheme?

China VisaVisa Free TransitThailand to ChinaHong Kong ImmigrationVisa RegulationsExpat Travel
Apr 24, 2025
a day ago
Daniel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone that is familiar with the China Visa free transit scheme can you tell me if I leave from Thailand then layover in Hong Kong on the way to Beijing, that means I am entering from Hong Kong not Thailand correct?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the implications of entering China via Hong Kong when utilizing the Visa-free Transit scheme. Key points include clarifications about different immigration policies between Hong Kong and Mainland China, emphasizing that the traveler’s passport nationality is what matters for visa eligibility, not the departure country. Additionally, it is noted that transit does not count towards visa requirements, as travelers must arrive in Beijing from another country.
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Dca *****
Hong Kong SAR and P.R. China (Mainland China) have 2 different immigration schemes and visa policies

A visa (or exemption or transit) for Hong Kong is different than a visa (or exemption or transit) for [Mainland] China
a day ago
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Daniel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
 this has nothing to do with the topic of the post, just fyi
20 hours ago
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Dca *****
@Daniel ******
 Of course my initial Comment is relevant because it is pertinent information that Hong Kong is NOT a part of China for Mainland China immigration and transit purposes, and Hong Kong is NOT a part of China's Visa–Free Transit Policy

Therefore, you would be making a direct entry into China at Beijing, as Hong Kong is NOT 1 of the 60 Ports of Entry China has specified for their 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy
19 hours ago
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Dca *****
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John **********
It's your passport nation that matters not where you arrive from surely?
a day ago
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Rey ******
Transit does not count. You have to fly to Beijing and go to another country like Vietnam.
a day ago
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Daniel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rey *****
 what if it a really long layover where you would leave the airport. For example send the night in hongkong
a day ago
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Rey ******
@Daniel ******
 Might ask the airline
a day ago
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Matthew *********
@Daniel ******
 I have done it many times, you get a transit visa up to 24 hours to 72. I usually fly from Bangkok to Chengdu or hong Kong. But at Bangkok airport they want confirmation of hotel if there is layover. They are very strict in china at immigration as well. They will call the hotel to verify at least in my experience . China does play around but they are very helpful with filling all the forms out. There is usually a direct window for transit visa. I my experience helps
a day ago
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Daniel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew ********
 the visa free transit recently extended to 240 hours, just trying to get my ducks in a row right now
a day ago
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Matthew *********
@Daniel ******
 when I was there they told me up to 120 hours. That's nice that they extended. China is such a beautiful country. I would like to see more. Thanks for the update on 240 hrs
a day ago
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Matthew *********
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