Question

Asked by Yusuf from turkiye | Jan. 20, 2025 09:30

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Hi, Turkish national, domestic connection and train, does it qualify for TWOV?

As far as I understand Turkish passports are allowed 24-hour TWOV. In this case we arrive in Cheng-du March 27, 05:00 with a connection at 08:00 to Guangzhou. If we book a train ticket from Guangzhou to Hong kong would it qualify for TWOV?

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Answers (4)

Answered by Borut | Jan. 20, 2025 23:42

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That is correct. Turkish citizens are definitely eligible for 24 hour visa free transit, but here we have a problem that I have to tell you openly about it. When a relevant person opens Timatic and that is a database that all check-in staff uses to confirm eligibility of a passenger, in that moment that person will see the mentioning of flight tickets only when we talk about 24 hour visa free transit. There is no mentioning of any other type of transport regardless of the fact that such a transport is permitted. In other words, your idea is eligible, but since Timatic does not mention other tickets beside flight tickets, you could easily find yourselves in a problem and consequently lose your flight. In other words, I do not recommend you to do this because you are running a risk to be refused boarding a plane in a country where you are departing to China from. As you can see, I would advise you to rethink your flight itinerary and if your tickets are already bought and are non-refundable, then I strongly recommend that you obtain a Chinese transit visa in advance. I am sorry, but this is not about the Chinese authorities, but up to poor Timatic wording and up to possible ignorance of check-in staff in the third country. You can proceed with your present travel itinerary, but a risk is high. I'm sorry.

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Answered by Yusuf | Jan. 21, 2025 12:56

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Thanks for your reply. Yes, that sound sensible. The tickets are non-refundable so the G transit visa seems more appropriate and low risk. Can you move around China with G visa? I mean, is it restricted to a certain area? In this case we would enter Chengdu, make a domestic flight to GuangZhou and then exit Mainland China by train to Hong Kong. Thanks again.

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Answered by Borut | Jan. 22, 2025 00:42

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Transit (G) visa has usual validity for up to 5 days, but it is also tied to your flight/train itinerary, so the relevant person from the Chinese mission can make the validity to be shorter and sometimes even longer. When you present your flight/train itinerary you will be allowed to proceed with your itinerary without any doubt and to enjoy the surroundings of the cities where you have your transit points. I know that it would be easier to perform the journey by using 24 hour visa free transit, but since I have explained you the potential problems you might encounter, a transit visa obtained in advance is really a safe way to proceed.

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Answered by Yusuf | Jan. 23, 2025 04:02

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Hi Borut, thanks again. I leave this comment for the record of future readers. It may be helpful because information is not openly accessible and we spent a few weeks researching .There are no G transit visas for turkish citizens (from consulate). Furthermore, L tourist visas are only issued for groups through travel agencies with direct ties in China. To do L on your own you need a TE letter issued by a government agency in China. If you need to stay over 24 hours in China with a Turkish passport, you need to prepare for a couple of months of paperwork.

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