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

China Visa-Free Transit Hong Kong Immigration Thai Passport Entry Requirements Visa Policies

Apr 24, 2025

a year 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 discussion centers around the impact of entering Beijing from Hong Kong on the eligibility for China's visa-free transit. Key points include that the nationality of the passport holder (in this case, a Thai passport) is what matters for Chinese immigration, rather than the departure point or layover locations. Additionally, it is clarified that transit through Hong Kong does not count against the visa-free transit rules for mainland China.

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Ian *****

Of course you're entering China from HK if you passed immigration in HK. But that is irrelevant, you got a Thai passport and that's what China Immigration are looking at, not where you originated from

a year ago

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 year ago

Daniel *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dca ****

this has nothing to do with the topic of the post, just fyi

a year ago

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

a year ago

Reply to

Dca *****

John **********

It's your passport nation that matters not where you arrive from surely?

a year ago

Jeffrey *********

@John *********

The visa-free "transit" scheme in China requires that you depart to a different country than the one you arrived from, so the OP is seeing if there's a way to game that to his advantage.

a year ago

Reply to

Jeffrey *********

Rey ******

Transit does not count. You have to fly to Beijing and go to another country like Vietnam.

a year ago

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 year ago

Rey ******

@Daniel ******

Might ask the airline

a year ago

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 year ago

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 year ago

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 year ago

Reply to

Matthew *********

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