Question

Asked by Dayne from philippines | Feb. 06, 2026 00:28

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Inquiry on Transit Visa Policy for 13-Hour Layover in Guangzhou

Hello! I’m flying round-trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Amsterdam, and on my return flight from Amsterdam to Ho Chi Minh in April, I have a 13-hour layover in Guangzhou. I hold a Philippine passport. I’ve read that some Filipino travelers were granted a 24-hour transit without a visa, but others were denied. As of 2026, has this policy changed? Do I need to apply for anything in advance to ensure I can get visa-free transit? I’ll be flying with China Southern Airlines.

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Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Feb. 06, 2026 05:52

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Dayne, I am more than certain that you have mixed up certain details.

It is important to understand that none is denied 24 hour visa free transit policy in case if the itinerary is eligible one. For example your itinerary is definitely eligible for 24 hour visa free transit and nobody will deny you your visa free transit through China. This is your right.

However, I am more than certain that you were thinking about exiting the airport during your layover in order to visit the city. This is something different than 24 hour visa free transit. In other words, it is your right to travel via China visa free bayed on 24 hour visa free transit, but it is not your right to exit the airport (transit zone). You are free to ask to be allowed to exit the airport by doing the following:

- Upon landing in Guangzhou you will fill out arrival card and tick transit in the appropriate box on the arrival card
- Perform fingerprinting at automatic fingerprinting machine
- Approach 24/240 hour visa free transit counter where you will present your flight tickets, your arrival card and fingerprinting receipt
- You will receive a temporary entry permit in your passport
- You will cross the entry immigration and head to the city to enjoy some of your time on your own.

Here in the segment of temporary entry permit issuing you might be denied a permit and that means that you will have to spend your time in the transit zone. The issuing of the temporary entry permit is not a right, but a bonus that depends on the decision of the official judgement whether to grant you a permit or not. I hope we have cleared the doubts and now when you know I wish you a nice journey.

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