Question

Asked by Ted from usa | Apr. 28, 2023 15:56

About:72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

LAX-CAN HKG-LAX

Hi,
So I (USA Citizen) can fly LAX to CAN and stay for up to 144 hours. Take train or ferry (land or sea border) to HKG where I will board a flight back to LAX or possibly travel to Vietnam (with visa) or Thailand.
I have worked and lived in China multiple times with residence permits and have all of my old passports with previous visas, permits, etc. I have a good track record.
Can you think of any reason my application could be denied in when landing in Guangzhou?
Thanks.

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Answers (8)

Answered by Borut | Apr. 29, 2023 01:08

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There is no any reason why would you be denied for 144 hour visa free transit. In reality, your itinerary:

Los Angeles - Guangzhou - Hong Kong

Is perfectly eligible for this visa free option. Everything before Los Angeles and after Hong Kong is not any more of interest for mainland Chinese authorities.

You know that your Los Angeles to Guangzhou flight is not allowed to have any additional landing within mainland China.

Also, you are informed that none of train options from Guangdong province to Hong Kong are not eligible.

To be eligible to exit to Hong Kong, I strongly suggest you taking a ferry from either Nansha port (located south from Guangzhou) or from Shekou port in Shenzhen. You will have to book your ferry ticket even before you depart from Los Angeles (you can do it through CKS - Chu Kong Passenger Transport), print it out and have the printout with you as a proof of your transit itinerary.

Also, you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.

Basically, this is it and if you do your journey in this way, you will enjoy the benefit of 144 hour visa free transit without any problem.

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Answered by Ted | Apr. 29, 2023 23:04

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Thank you for clarifying the train/ferry rules to Hong Kong. I know both Nansha & Shekou ports pretty well. Thanks also for recommending CKS.

I only need to be in China for a very short stay, and would much rather avoid the trouble of getting a tourist visa here in Los Angeles when I can do what I need to do in China with a 144 hour transit visa.

Thanks again.

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Answered by Borut | Apr. 30, 2023 04:50

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Of course. Why would you bother with unnecessary formalities when you can accomplish everything just by right choice of your flight/ferry options/itineraries.

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Answered by Ted | May. 04, 2023 14:59

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Hello again,

You mentioned that exiting Guangdong province via train to Hong Kong under the 144 hour transit visa is NOT eligible and that exiting by ferry IS acceptable. I just wanted to confirm this, because I read the following from the article:
"4. Passengers are required to leave from the same airport that they arrive, except in some of the cities with 144-hour visa-free transit scheme where they may enter or leave from land or sea ports."

Thanks again for your help.

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Answered by Jenny | May. 04, 2023 19:03

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The rule passengers have to leave from the same airport is mostly for those inland cities and Guangdong is not in the list. So don't worry too much.

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Answered by Ted | May. 04, 2023 23:30

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Hi Jenny,

In his original response above, Borut said:
"Also, you are informed that none of train options from Guangdong province to Hong Kong are not eligible."

Can you confirm that entering PRC by air in CAN, and exiting Guangdong via train or ferry to Hong Kong is okay?

Thanks.

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Answered by Borut | May. 04, 2023 23:43

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Yes, I have written exactly that you are quoting. Guangdong is among just several transit zones where the exit other than by plabne is acceptable. However, the exit by train is not acceptable since there is no more conventional through train in operation that was eligible. This conventional train was scraped in favor of high speed trains and high speed trains are not eligible.

So, by far the best option is to exit toward Hong Kong by ferry from either Nansha or Shekou ports.

You can read more about the possibility of exit by ferry on another section that deals with 144 and not 72 hour visa free transit scheme, where you will find a dedicated website for transit rules in Guangdong province. This 72 rule makes confusion because it is mostly replaced by 144 hour rule and has remaind relevant in just several places.

Please, have in mind to print out your ferry ticket before your departure from US and have it with you in hard copy. Again, you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought for this purpose.

Now, just go to 144 hours section and just look carefully and you will find Guangdong section there. Just for your peace of mind.

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Answered by Ted | May. 05, 2023 00:26

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Thank you Borut for your time & effort and for confirming & clarifying.

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