9 hr PEK layover

[PlutekPlutek]

Hi

I have a work trip to Mongolia coming up. Am booked with SQ to PEK (flight gets in 11pm). The flight to Mongolia leaves around 8 am the following morning. I am booked at the airport Hilton overnight. I have applied for a Mongolian visa, but that takes up to 2 weeks, and from what I've read I need a transit visa for China to leave the airport. The trip is four weeks away, and I might be cutting it close if I have to wait until the Mongolian visa is issued (onward visa is required to get the transit visa for China). Was wondering if there might be any problems if I apply for a tourist visa on a Polish passport (I'm a dual citizen). Are the Chinese authorities likely to see this as an issue or can I arrive in China on a polish passport, and have the Mongolian visa in my Aussie passport?

Cheers
lp

 

[Lu-Lu]

Hi - Sorry I don't have a specific answer to your question but thought I might suggest something to see if your lay over time can be reduced, thus help with your visa issue. My brother flies to and from Mongolia constantly from Bangkok and goes through either Hong Kong or Seoul (and also Shanghai) - all which then have direct flights to Mongolia. Not sure where exactly you are flying from but that may be an alternative to cut down layover. I know Mongolia is hard to get to but I have heard Thai Airways are thinking of doing a weekly direct flight from BKK soon.
M

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I know Mongolia is hard to get to

Mongolia not too difficult to get to really - Mongolian Airlines and Air China both have 2 flts daily ex PEK - OP's issue is connection times. OP SQ have a flt that arrives into PEK at 7am or so I think - CA then have flt to UB at 8.45 or so - is it possible to play with flts and get longer layover in SIN and shorter layover in PEK? SQ / CA combo should work ok for you.

Apart from that I probably can't offer much advice.

 

[moa999]

I thought the major Chinese ports now issued voa transit visas for stays under 24/48 hrs for Aussie citizens. I suspect for this you just need an onward ticket and doubt they'd check the visa.
Unsure on the double passport question.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

as moa said, if you are n transit to a third country you can transit PEK without visa for a max 24 hours (48 hours at shanghai)

however... check with the embassy and also over on FT in the china forum. things are changing all the time in china and I believe one airport has already set up transit facilities where you don't need to exit in order to check in for your next flight. this might then have the effect of containing you in the airport rather than being able to leave without visa.

I thought I read PEK was also going to be on that list eventually.

but for the moment, check with FT and the embassy. I think you're fine. but I would get to the airport in AU very early in case any of the check in staff don't want to let you board without visa. some people have had issues with this... always been sorted, but it can take time.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

Ok just to clarify...
1. What is FT?
2. I have considered the later SQ flight that aarrives in PEK at 7 am but that does not leave a lot of room for error if it's late. I have a busy week in UB and would rather not miss the morning flight from PEK.
3. I also would prefer not to fly for 24hr and start work after stepping off the plane hence why I want to break up the trip from SYD in PEK
4. I have read about the 24 hr visa free transit in Beijing but that aalso stipulates you should not leave the airport. I have a the night booked at the Hilton and this means having to leave the airport. Shanghai i think is 48hr without that limitation. Can Antoniego confirm?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ok just to clarify...
1. What is FT?
2. I have considered the later SQ flight that aarrives in PEK at 7 am but that does not leave a lot of room for error if it's late. I have a busy week in UB and would rather not miss the morning flight from PEK.
3. I also would prefer not to fly for 24hr and start work after stepping off the plane hence why I want to break up the trip from SYD in PEK
4. I have read about the 24 hr visa free transit in Beijing but that aalso stipulates you should not leave the airport. I have a the night booked at the Hilton and this means having to leave the airport. Shanghai i think is 48hr without that limitation. Can Antoniego confirm?

FT = Flyer Talk/ It is another bulletin board. They have a china forum on there with expert comment on visa issues. I appreciate transit without visa states (in some websites, even some official ones) you cannot leave the airport but this is in fact NOT true. you can leave the airport (and many people on FT have confirmed this is the case and have received their visas accordingly).

That forum is your best bet for accurate and up to the minute info on all China visa issues, including where you can get an accurate print out of the rules (which stating you can leave the airport even though the Chinese consulate website in some countries says you can't).

See as a starter post three here: PLEASE READ FIRST: China Board FAQ/Most Important Threads - FlyerTalk Forums

then look for the dedicated thread if you have more questions.

Further to my earlier post, it seems only Guangzhou at the moment is experimenting with int-int transfer facilities which will not allow you to leave the airport.

I would certainly NOT bank on a 7am arrival on SQ to catch your 8 am. Way too tight.