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Question: Asked by Richie from united kingdom | Sep. 02, 2025 05:30

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Do I need a visa?

Hello, my travel plans are as follows:

London - Seoul (via Guangzhou - 3 hour layover until connecting flight to Seoul).

Japan - London (via Zhengzhou- 21 hour layover - staying in airport hotel overnight).

Do I require a visa for any part of the trip:
1) to catch my connecting flight to Seoul (Transit) from Guangzhou (not leaving the airport).

2) to leave Zhengzhou airport for less than 24 hours before my flight back to London the next day.

I am a British national with a British passport. Thanks!

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Answers (1): Answered by Borut | Sep. 02, 2025 23:19

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You do not need a visa of any kind because your entire itinerary will be covered by 24 hour visa free transit - twice. The first time during your layover in Guangzhou where you do not need to perform any formality like filling out forms or similar. Also you will not be a subject of immigration and customs inspection. Basically, you will just walk from one to the other gate and spend your time airside in the transit area of Guangzhou airport. During your second layover in Zhenghzhou, upon your landing there the first thing that you will do will be to fill out arrival card. You will tick the box on the arrival card where it is written - transit. After that you will perform automatic fingerprinting. With a filled out arrival card and a fingerprinting receipt you will approach 24/240 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flight tickets and along with arrival card, fingerprinting receipt and your hotel booking confirmation. This is all free of any charge. After a short check you will be granted a permit and then you will cross the immigration and head toward the city and/or your hotel. When the time arrives, you will return to the airport, cross the exit immigration and head to the gate for your flight to London. Have a nice journey.

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Do I need a visa?