If you’re flying into China without a visa and relying on the 10 day transit visa free policy, buckle up we just did it, and let’s just say… it wasn’t exactly a smooth landing.
We’re a UK based travelling family who flew into Beijing from Japan, planning to transit on to another country in 9 days. That put us squarely within the rules of the 240-hour visa free transit policy. No visa needed, right? Too easy.
Except… it wasn’t.
What Actually Happened at the Airport
We arrived at check in in Tokyo and the staff looked panicked the moment we said we didn’t have a visa for China.
We explained we were using the 10 day visa free transit policy, but it was clear they weren’t confident what to do.
25 minutes later, after lots of tapping on computers and questions about our onward flights (luckily all booked through the same airline), we were finally cleared to board (longest check in ever)
But the real circus began after we landed in Beijing.
There were no clear signs, no obvious lines, and no one really seemed to know where we were supposed to go. We told airport staff we didn’t have a visa, and their reactions ranged from shocked to completely confused.
We were shuffled between people. One said, “not here, go over there.” Another said, “not over there, go back to where you were.” Classic.
At one point, we found another traveller an American tourist who was equally lost and muttered, “I think it’s that line over there.” He’d already filled in the wrong form, so we weren’t filled with confidence.
Eventually, we ignored everyone, followed our gut (and the American man’s advice), and ended up at a security checkpoint near customs that had a small sign saying something like “Transit.”
That’s the golden spot.
The Form You Need to Find
On a random bench near that checkpoint, we finally spotted the transit entry form. It’s got two sections:
Top half = inbound
Bottom half = outbound
We were only arriving, so we filled out just the inbound section that seemed to do the trick.
We handed it over to two very friendly security officers who actually knew what was going on (finally!), and they helped us finish the process.
Key Takeaways (So You Don’t End Up Wandering Like We Did)
Don’t expect staff to know the new visa free rules
not at check in, not at immigration Print all your tickets, hotel bookings, and explain your journey clearly
Find the security section near customs marked “Transit” that’s where you go Look for a paper form on a bench near that area fill in just the inbound section
Don’t panic if you’re told different things by different staff go with what makes logical sense and follow travellers who look as confused as you are
And that’s it, you should be through.
There is a bonus for Aussies: You Get 30 Days!
So if you’re an Aussie you’ve got it even easier. Since 30 November 2024, Australians can enter China visa free for 30 days no onward flight required, no forms on benches, and no awkward explaining just the normal queue (there might be a where are you staying form you need to complete but too easy!
It’s valid until the end of 2025, so if you’ve got an Aussie passport, enjoy the easy lane while the rest of us flail around with transit slips.
Final Thoughts
Would we use the visa free policy again?
– Yeah, but now that we know what to do.
If you’re using the 10-day transit option:
– Be ready to explain it Expect staff to be confused And trust that somewhere in that airport maze, the right line does exist
Hope this helps somebody, key point is don’t panic, it looks and is stressful but knowing what to do makes life far easier!
