Answered by Borut
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Dec. 01, 2025 23:49
Dale, your itinerary has a problem because you plan to return to the same country you used to enter China. This is not allowed and such an attempt automatically disqualifies you from using 240 hour visa free transit scheme. Also, there is no more 72, 144 and similar schemes because they were all replaced by a more generous 240 hour visa free transit scheme for already a year.
Your intention to enter China from Laos is definitely eligible because Mohan Railway Port is an eligible entry point when traveling on 240 hour visa free transit. Now, your entry is fine, but since we have concluded that you cannot return back to the same country you have used to enter China, you have to insert a third country or eligible territory (eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau) into the equation (your itinerary) to make your itinerary an eligible one.
In other words, probably the easiest option would be to fly from China to Vietnam and then cross to Laos from there. Also, you can use Hong Kong and fly from there to Laos. In any case and whatever option you decide to use, you will have to buy your exit ticket from China before you board the train from Laos to China.
In general the basic rule of 240 hour visa free transit clearly states that the immediate points before and after mainland China have to be in two different countries or eligible territories. So, it is always the immediate points that really matter. When this requirement is fulfilled, you can travel to many parts of China, crossing the provincial boundaries. Also, after this visit you can take another 240 hour visa free transit option by flying from Laos to some destination in China, stay there again for 240 hours and fly to US or any other third country. Again, you will have to buy your exit ticket in advance. I hope this helps and I wish you a wonderful journey.
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