Question

Asked by Elise from switzerland | Aug. 24, 2025 10:18

About:240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Travel on transit visa (240 hours) within the country and to Hong Kong

Hi!

We were hoping to fly from Hanoi -> Guangzhou, and then train to Shenzhen, ferry to Hong Kong, and flight from there back to Switzerland (over around 6 days). I am a US citizen and my partner is Swiss, so the visa situation is different for each of us! I understand he can enter without a visa, but that I may be able to use the 240-transit visa? The only thing is that we’re not sure about travel between Guangzhou and Hong Kong - am I allowed to cross to Hong Kong on the transit visa? Many thanks in advance for any advice!

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Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Aug. 24, 2025 23:33

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Elise, the situation for both of you is very clear and simple. Your Swiss partner can enter and exit mainland China as she/he wishes - visa free. For her/him this situation is as if she/he travels to, for example, UK. You cannot enter visa free, but your itinerary is definitely eligible for 240 hour visa free transit and you can exit toward Hong Kong because Hong Kong is definitely eligible/considered as a third territory. You can travel to Shenzhen by train and take a ferry from Shenzhen to Hong Kong or even easier to take a train to Hong Kong West Kowloon station as well. Taking a train out of mainland China is eligible, but the exit from Hong Kong to mainland China is not under 240 hour visa free transit. In other words, you will choose what option you will use from Shenzhen to Hong Kong because it is fine to be a ferry or a train. In any case, it is compulsory to decide what option you will take an consequently to buy a ticket, being it a ferry or train ticket in advance, even before you depart from Vietnam. You will be asked to present that ticket that will take you from mainland China to Hong Kong in both Hanoi at the time of your check-in and in Guangzhou upon your landing. Also, you will really have to take exactly that ferry or train that you have bought your ticket in advance. By the way, I encourage you to use correct terminology because this is not 240 hour visa, but 240 hour visa free transit, so there is no a visa of any kind at all. Correcter terminology is important to avoid any possible misunderstandings. Have a nice visit to China.

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