China TWOV questions

[Jennifer Cook]

Hi. Just wondering, what was your exact itinerary on entering china? where you flying from and where were you flying to (any transit stops in china)? And both on aussie passports?

Hi, we were travelling from Helsinki to Brisbane via Shanghai, on Finnair for the first leg and Qantas for the second. Yes, both Australian passports. The Finnair Chinese liaison was wonderful, she argued hard to get us entry as there was no logical reason - that we could see - for denied entry.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi, we were travelling from Helsinki to Brisbane via Shanghai, on Finnair for the first leg and Qantas for the second. Yes, both Australian passports. The Finnair Chinese liaison was wonderful, she argued hard to get us entry as there was no logical reason - that we could see - for denied entry.

ok, it seems the turkey visa was the issue. Just having a quick look there’s a tripadvisor post with the same situation as yours, although the immigration officer explicitly explained it was because of the entry to turkey. Hong Kong was also offered to the passenger in that case. The tripadvisor post is dated september 2017.

 

[Jennifer Cook]

Hi, we were travelling from Helsinki to Brisbane via Shanghai, on Finnair for the first leg and Qantas for the second. Yes, both Australian passports. The Finnair Chinese liaison was wonderful, she argued hard to get us entry as there was no logical reason - that we could see - for denied entry.

Yes, I found that post on our return whilst searching for answers. That person was given a straight answer, we weren't told specifically, but its the only reason I can think of. You won't find that 'policy' on any government website, so who know what other new 'policies' are floating around. We were also specifically instructed to lie to Cathay Pacific check in staff when checking in for our flight to Hong Kong, with an immigration officer looking over our shoulder. Leaves a very bad taste in my mouth, no plans to return to mainland China for quite some time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, I found that post on our return whilst searching for answers. That person was given a straight answer, we weren't told specifically, but its the only reason I can think of. You won't find that 'policy' on any government website, so who know what other new 'policies' are floating around. We were also specifically instructed to lie to Cathay Pacific check in staff when checking in for our flight to Hong Kong, with an immigration officer looking over our shoulder. Leaves a very bad taste in my mouth, no plans to return to mainland China for quite some time.

Further research shows up this seems to be a bit more extensive, possibly linked to Turkey’s alleged support for the Uyghur community in China.

That being said, reports of tourists - otherwise in compliance - being refused entry are extraordinarily rare. Reports of refusal are usually because airline staff have operated under incorrect assumptions (rare), or because the passenger doesn’t comply (again rare because airlines normally pick this up).

 

[White Gold]

Judging by all the posts a TWOV only applies to fly in fly out. I am planning a trip next year to fly to Beijing, stay 4 or 5 nights then catch the Trans-Mongolian train to Moscow. Would a TWOV apply? My guess is not!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Judging by all the posts a TWOV only applies to fly in fly out. I am planning a trip next year to fly to Beijing, stay 4 or 5 nights then catch the Trans-Mongolian train to Moscow. Would a TWOV apply? My guess is not!

144 hour TWOV allows flights and/or select rail and cruise terminals. All forms must be a non-stop departure from China. For Beijing you are allowed to travel via the Beijing West rail station only.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

I

Further research shows up this seems to be a bit more extensive, possibly linked to Turkey’s alleged support for the Uyghur community in China.

That being said, reports of tourists - otherwise in compliance - being refused entry are extraordinarily rare. Reports of refusal are usually because airline staff have operated under incorrect assumptions (rare), or because the passenger doesn’t comply (again rare because airlines normally pick this up).

Aha! I was wondering why the immigration official was deeply unhappy about me visiting Turkey four months prior to arrival in Shanghai. It was quite an argument, but I was eventually let in.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Worth noting there's just one minor change to the situation in Beijing.

Now that Beijing has gone to 144-hour, the 72 hour TWOV category has been withdrawn. This means your time starts running from 00:01 the day after you arrive (previously under the 72-hour category it was measured from your scheduled arrival time).

 

[seanpodge]

I think buses are possible. I did sneak a day trip to huizhou while I was visiting shenzhen..

To be honest, I don't really remember being asked for ID the last time I took the bus in August either (no visa issues on that occasion to worry about). I'll probably be taking another long distance bus or two in February so I might report back.

Officially, it is meant to be a real name system, but maybe the implementation isn't as rigorous as with the trains.*

* Not to be taken as encouragement for readers to chance their arms with their compliance with the conditions of their Chinese visa, of course!

 

[dajop]

Any recent experiences with this? And does TPE count as travel to another country?

My APEC card was issued last week, and should reach me in the next couple of weeks, but due to travel to PVG on 24th. Onward travel is to MEL via TPE, so was thinking of using TWOV. Corporate travel agent advises too many problems with TWOV, and I should get a visa, so I may wait until late next week before deciding though.

Reading this thread page 1 of my passport may be a problem ... on it happens to be a Turkish visa from 2013 with entry stamps (page 2 though is Chinese Visa, and there are 9 other China entry stamps in my passport)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Any recent experiences with this? And does TPE count as travel to another country?

My APEC card was issued last week, and should reach me in the next couple of weeks, but due to travel to PVG on 24th. Onward travel is to MEL via TPE, so was thinking of using TWOV. Corporate travel agent advises too many problems with TWOV, and I should get a visa, so I may wait until late next week before deciding though.

Reading this thread page 1 of my passport may be a problem ... on it happens to be a Turkish visa from 2013 with entry stamps (page 2 though is Chinese Visa, and there are 9 other China entry stamps in my passport)

Taiwan is considered a third country. No issues there provided you are not arriving from Taiwan into China in the first place (TPE-PVG-TPE, even if TPE is only a transit in one direction, would not be allowed).

The Turkish entry stamp may be a issue, although you seem to suggest you have had more recent entries to China despite that anyway?

How would your corporate TA know? The rules around TWOV are very simple, but they are detailed. Is the TA erring on the side of caution for commercial reasons, or do they have concrete examples?

 

[TomToni1]

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before, but I do need clarification. As I understand it when we book in for our flight (QANTAS) Sydney to Shanghai, they need to "submit the traveller's information to the corresponding immigration inspection station in China for examination. When confirmed, it will process the passengers application for the TWOV upon their (our) arrival." We do qualify.

We have heard of some airlines refusing travel for passengers who did not have a Chinese visa who were qualified for the visa exemption.

Can someone help, please?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before, but I do need clarification. As I understand it when we book in for our flight (QANTAS) Sydney to Shanghai, they need to "submit the traveller's information to the corresponding immigration inspection station in China for examination. When confirmed, it will process the passengers application for the TWOV upon their (our) arrival." We do qualify.

We have heard of some airlines refusing travel for passengers who did not have a Chinese visa who were qualified for the visa exemption.

Can someone help, please?

Hi and welcome to AFF!

Qantas is familiar with TWOV in China. The notification to Shanghai will be electronic, done via the check in system. On arrival you will still need to complete the blue form and join the queue.

Qantas had an issue refusing TWOV for eligible passengers leaving christchurch recently. This was a one off, and Qantas admitted their agents got it wrong.

Just make sure to arrive at the airport in australia with plenty of time (ie not when check in is about to close!)

 

[TomToni1]

Hi and welcome to AFF!

Qantas is familiar with TWOV in China. The notification to Shanghai will be electronic, done via the check in system. On arrival you will still need to complete the blue form and join the queue.

Qantas had an issue refusing TWOV for eligible passengers leaving christchurch recently. This was a one off, and Qantas admitted their agents got it wrong.

Just make sure to arrive at the airport in australia with plenty of time (ie not when check in is about to close!)

Thank you ME for that information. We have been unable to verify the above with QANTAS. Does anyone have a contact number where we could do this. Several of their Chat sessions have only indicated they don't know what we are on about?

 

[serfty]

Select the "IATA Travel Centre" link here: Travel documents, passport, identification, visas | Qantas AU

 

[serfty]

Select the "IATA Travel Centre" link here: Travel documents, passport, identification, visas | Qantas AU

Enter from country and date, to country (e.g. Japan),
chine transit and transit dates. Fill out rest.

See here:

TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Nationals of Australia holding confirmed onward airline tickets departing directly to a third country, if arriving in and departing from the same city:

at Changsha (CSX), Chengdu (CTU), Chongqing (CKG), Guangzhou (CAN), Qingdao (TAO), Wuhan (WUH), Xi'an (XIY) or Xiamen (XMN) for a max. transit time of 72 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry. They must have a passport or a passport replacing document valid for a minimum of 3 months from the arrival date.

at Guilin (KWL), Harbin (HRB) or Kunming (KMG) for a max. transit time of 72 hours. They must have a passport or a passport replacing document valid for a minimum of 3 months from the arrival date.

Nationals of Australia holding confirmed onward air, cruise or train tickets to a third country, arriving in and departing from any one of the following locations: Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing Lukou (NKG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou (Baoshan) International Cruise Terminal or Shanghai Railway Station for a maximum of 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry. They must have a passport or a passport replacing document valid for a minimum of 3 months from the arrival date.

Nationals of Australia holding confirmed onward air, cruise or train tickets to a third country, arriving in and departing from any one of the following locations: Beijing (PEK), Tianjin (TSN), Shijiazhuang (SJW), Beijing West Railway Station, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port or Qinhuangdao Sea Port for a maximum of 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry. They must have a passport or a passport replacing document valid for a minimum of 3 months from the arrival date.

Nationals of Australia holding confirmed onward air tickets to a third country, arriving in and departing from any one of the following two airports: Dalian (DLC) or Shenyang (SHE) for a maximum of 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry. They must have a passport or a passport replacing document valid for a minimum of 3 months from the arrival date.

All transiting passengers are subject to a check by immigration. Passengers in transit must hold passports or other documents accepted to enter China (People's Rep.). .

When transiting in Chengdu (CTU), carriers must send notification to the CTU immigration office before departure. Email: [email protected] .

When transiting in Changsha (CSX) or Xiamen (XMN) for a maximum stay of 72 hours, carriers must send notification to the local immigration office before departure.

Warning:
When passengers transit for a maximum of 144 hours, they can arrive in and depart from any of the following locations: Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing Lukou (NKG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou (Baoshan) International Cruise Terminal or Shanghai Railway Station.

When passengers transit for a maximum of 144 hours, they can arrive in and depart from any of the following locations: Beijing (PEK), Tianjin (TSN), Shijiazhuang (SJW), Beijing West Railway Station, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port or Qinghuangdao Sea Port.

When passengers transit for a maximum of 144 hours, they can arrive in and depart from any of the following two airports: Dalian (DLC) or Shenyang (SHE).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you ME for that information. We have been unable to verify the above with QANTAS. Does anyone have a contact number where we could do this. Several of their Chat sessions have only indicated they don't know what we are on about?

Serfty has provided the relevant information, this is the information airport staff see and use. You’ll have no problems. Telephone and chat staff aren’t generally familiar with visa nuances, and you’ll quite possibly end up with the wrong advice and get a visa you don’t need to.

On a side note the extract provided by Serfty doesn’t discuss 24 hour TWOV or the new 24 hour transit visa on arrival, where your itinerary includes multiple stops in China. But their operation is the same as the longer TWOV and airline staff are familiar with their operation.

 

[moa999]

It's a worry that IATA isn't up to date on 24-hr info..

Equally had no luck with QF call centres on the 144hr TWOV despite reiterating that their staff ultimately made the call at check-in. Kept getting scripted We don't provide visa advice, please contact embassy.

My recent (in the last week) experience
On a
SYD-PVG (135hrs),HGH-HKG (4hrs)-SYD.

Check-in at SYD Business check was fine. Took about 10min as the agent checked with the supervisor a couple of times. I had printouts of the IATA site and a Shanghai Bureau of Inspection interpretation (I suspect the Shanghai/Hangzhou connection was less ordinary).
As I understand it QF send a list to PVG airport (and my name was on a list in the end).

Also ensure you have a printed copy of the e-ticket for all connections.

Shanghai airport was however a shambles. We landed late at 7.10pm and I was at the immigration queues at 7.20pm.
The TWOV lanes were to the far right (and clearly marked with Transit 24/144 hours - from the signage they might sometimes separate into two queues but on this night they were combined). Also a booth on the right with Blue TWOV forms.

Our late arrival meant we were behind a few other aircraft including Canadian. Probably 50 people in the queue and only 3 agents serving - it took 85minutes for me to get through (meaning I missed all the likely trains and buses to Wuxi, ultimately went to Suzhou then got a cab).

Even when the foreigners lanes cleared up, they didn't transition agents (it seems to be a special skill) - most of the people were under 24 hrs. A number didn't have printouts (despite signs to have them ready), some actually had visas (so in the wrong lane), as I got to the front overheard one Chinese American tell the agent he was going to take the train to Beijing (bzz.. he was there for 15min) and a French couple that AF had rerouted through PVG without providing any paperwork.

When I finally got to the front it only took 90 secs. Checked the dates, confirmed where I was travelling complied, and printed the Transit sticker, and marked me off a list (that I think came from QF and had about 11 names on it). Then the supervisor came over to tell me to make sure I didn't miss my flight as I was close to the 144hr limit.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The call centre issue is not unique to qantas. All airlines are the same. The consistent advice is to save yourself the trouble and don’t even bother contacting the airline. Even if you find an agent who agrees you are eligible for TWOV, it has zero impact. Even if they put notes in your booking they have no effect.

Check in staff will consult timatic on the day of departure to confirm the rules haven’t changed. They won’t be guided by anything reservations may have said. Which is actually a good thing because many times reservations will say you need a visa, but check in is good to let you board.

 

[dajop]

Taiwan is considered a third country. No issues there provided you are not arriving from Taiwan into China in the first place (TPE-PVG-TPE, even if TPE is only a transit in one direction, would not be allowed).

The Turkish entry stamp may be a issue, although you seem to suggest you have had more recent entries to China despite that anyway?

How would your corporate TA know? The rules around TWOV are very simple, but they are detailed. Is the TA erring on the side of caution for commercial reasons, or do they have concrete examples?

Thanks for the response, I also looked at ExpertFlyer and got the exact text .... and decided to ignore the advice of corporate travel agent (very conservative), and didn't bother to get a visa. .

In the end though I did not test it, as my APEC card arrived last Friday, just in the nick of time for travel today. So obviously I entered China using APEC instead.