Question
Asked by Airin from Indonesia | May. 30, 2019 05:06
About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Indonesian Passport Holders were Rejected for 24 hours Visa Free Transit in Beijing

I hold and Indonesia Passport Holder, together with my mom and brother were transiting in Beijing, China on 29th May 2019 for about 15 hours lay over. Checked on the website and with the airline itself that we are supposed to be granted with 24 hours visa free however they rejected our request. And when I asked why, they said just No Reason. A very unaccepted answer given by the officer there and stucked in the airport because of that. My questions are : 1. Why the information is misleading 2. And on our way back home to Indonesia later on 15th June, we've got a transit hotel booking since our flight would have more 10 hours lay over. Does this mean that we are not allowed to check in the hotel as well? Looking forward to your explanation. Thank you. Airin

Answers (8)
Answered by CDKING from US | May. 30, 2019 08:22
00Reply
There are two different things involved. 24 hour transit without visa and entry permit to leave the airport. You were not denied visa free transit as you were allowed to board your flight to China. You were denied the entry permit to leave the airport. It's up to immigration discretion if you can leave the airport or if you need to stay in the international transit area. Usually if you have hotel on overnight they will let you leave but even that is not guaranteed.

What airport were you transiting, do you have history of traveling to Turkey for example? Some immigration people are stricter based on nationality. For example ones that are not eligible for the longer transits, those whose countries have strained relations with china or countries that history of illegal immigration and overstays.
Answered by Rozalp from Netherlands | May. 30, 2019 10:20
00Reply
Hello im flying from Amsterdam to Bali with a stop of 11 hours. I have a dutch passport with turkish stamps. Would this be a problem? I only want to het mine next flight and dont intend to leave the airport?
Answered by Rozalp from Netherlands | May. 30, 2019 10:51
00Reply
Mine 11 hours stop is in Guangzhou
Answered by ZUPAN | May. 30, 2019 11:27
00Reply
Rozalp, just don't worry because you will be allowed to normally transit through Guangzhou. So, you can travel with peace of mind especially because you have mentioned that you don't intend to exit the airport. In reality, you can even apply for entry permit, i.e. to be allowed to exit the airport if you wish and you will see what will happen. The worst thing that could happen is to be denied entry permit which means that you will just spend your time in the transit area of Guangzhou airport waiting for your next flight as you have already originally planned.
Answered by Airin from Indonesia | May. 30, 2019 20:02
00Reply
Hi,

I transit at BCIA (Beijing Capital International Airport) and yes, I was traveling to Turkey a year ago. Was this an issue for China for not letting passenger who has Turkey Visa on their passport? Yet, the Turkey visa was already expired. At the same time, I also have China Visa stamp on my passport for multiple trip also same for last year.

Two friends of mine transiting in Beijing and Shanghai on their trip last year and they were given permit to leave the airport during the long lay over.

I will be transiting back on the 15th June yet with another long lay overs and transit hotel confirmed. How do you suggest me to do so the permission to leave the airport can be granted? As you said, even having confirmed transit hotel booking still doesn't guarantee the permit.

Kindly advise. Thank you.

Regards,
Airin
Answered by CDKING from US | May. 31, 2019 05:01
00Reply
You will likely be refused to leave the airport with evidence of visiting turkey even with a hotel reservation in Beijing. This has happened to many people especially in 2019, even those who have past trips to china with no issues. There is nothing in writing about it either.
Answered by Bije Widjajanto from Indonesia | Dec. 11, 2019 05:02
00Reply
I got same case today. I lined in a queue to proceed temporary 24 hours visa. I was surprised when immigration person said: "sorry I can't give you permit to leave the airport". She answered: "no reason" when I ask why or because I hold Indonesian passport.

After I read this thread, I checked that is right, I went to Turkey 2 years ago, and the stamp are clearly seemed.

But an hour later I met with any other Indonesian passport holder also rejected although they never been to Turkey before. And same case also happened to UK passport, he predicted because he traveled to Nigeria just 2 month ago.

So... enjoy to stay one night for free in Beijing Capital Airport.
Answered by John Doe | Dec. 11, 2019 06:02
00Reply
Thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately we will never know the real reason behind such decisions as they were mostly made behind closed doors.
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