arrivaldeparture cards

Question

Hello,I've booked a Flight from the UK to the Philippines, but I'll be transferring from China twice, one on my Departure (27th January) to Philippines, and one on my Return to London (22nd February), (Departure: Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport / Return: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport). My question is this:1. Do I need a Transit Visa? Or am I eligible for the 72-Hour Transit FREE Visa?2. Would I need to fill out a Departure and Arrival Card? If so, would I:a) Be handed one AS I'm arriving there?b) Need to fill one out BEFORE I arrive there?or c) Be N/A (Not Applicable) to fill one?3. In relation to Question 2, if Sections A and B are applicable, what do I tick under section Purpose of Visit on the Arrival Card? I'm only Transiting and have no intention of Visiting, Touring, or Working in China, how would I file this question under purpose of transit?4. In relation to Question 1 and 2, if I'm applicable for the 72-Hour Transit FREE Visa and need to fill out the Arrival Card, would I need to file Section Visa No. and Place of Visa Issuance? If not shall I leave them blank? or write something there?That's all the questions I like to ask, I'll await your response. Thanks, and Merry Christmas.Kind regards,Kyle Wright

Borut · Answer

Kyle, I understand your doubts and here are the answers on your questions:1. Based on your later text and explanations I can understand that your entire layover time spent in China will be shorter that 24 hours. In other words, you have just found affordable and convenient flights and your goal is to reach Philippines. So, I can tell you that you will be traveling covered by 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. Also, it is not 72, but 144 hour visa free transit in those places where you will land, but you will not be using this option because your layover is shorter than 24 hours, so you will use 24 hour visa free transit. Also, this is not free visa, but visa free transit, so there is no any kind of visa. You will just remain airside. 2. Since you have clearly mentioned that you do not intend to have any activity within mainland China and you obviously plan to stay airside, you do not have to bother with arrival/departure card. In other words, you will not enter China at all. So, just disregard your a, b and c questions.3. As you say, you are just transiting, staying airside, so arrival/departure card is not applicable in your case. You will not enter China. Just disregard this subject entirely.4. Again, you will be traveling covered by 24 hour visa free transit, you will stay airside, so do not bother with any formality in regard of arrival/departure card is concerned. Just imagine that you are traveling via some other country like Dubai or Doha or Istanbul... Just relax because your case simply could not be simpler than it is. Marry Christmas and have a pleasant journey.

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Arrival and Departure Cards