As approved by the State Council, starting in August 1, 2013, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport will implement the policy of 72-hour visa-free transit for passengers from 51 countries who hold a third-country visa.

What does the 72-hour visa-free transit mean?

It means that foreign passengers with a flight ticket and visa to a third country in transit to the third country via the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport can stay in Guangdong for up to 72 hours without a Chinese visa.

For example, before the policy is introduced, a passenger who was traveling to Australia via Guangzhou could only wait for his connecting flight at the airport, but after the policy is implemented, he may leave the airport and stay in Guangdong for up to three days before departing for Australia.

The 51 countries entitled to the 72-hour visa-free policy

European Schengen Agreement countries (24 in total): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia , Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland

Other European countries (13): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine,Serbia,Croatia,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Montenegro,Macedonia,Albania.

American countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile

Oceania countries (2): Australia, and New Zealand

Asian countries (6): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar

How to apply

Q: What foreigners can apply for 72 hours visa-free transit?

A: (a) Citizens of the 51 countries entitled to the 72-hour visa-free transit (passengers' city of arrival or destination does not have to be one of these 51 countries; (2) passengers who hold valid international travel documents, a visa from a third country or region, and a ticket for a connecting flight within 72 hours from Guangzhou to a third country or region; and (3) eligible passengers cannot travel beyond Guangdong.

Scope of Applicability

Q: Does this policy apply to passengers from a third country or region to Guangzhou who hold a ticket for a return flight within 72 hours?

A: This policy is only applicable to passengers in transit to a third country or region and therefore does not apply to foreign visitors who travel on round trip flights.

How long can I stay

Q: How is the 72-hour period defined?

A: The 72-hour period starts from zero hours on the day immediately following the passenger's entry. In theory, an eligible foreign passenger can stay in Guangzhou for up to 96 hours. For example, for a passenger arriving at the Baiyun Airport at 00:01 on August 1, his 72-hour visa-free period starts from 00:00 of August 2; he may depart at 23:59 on August 4.

What is the procedure

Q: What is the procedure for the visa-free stay?

A: Eligible passengers can inform their carrier of their eligibility for the 72-hour visa-free policy and make a request to complete the procedure for the stay. The carrier will forward their requests to the border control authorities at the Baiyun Airport. Passengers who have not made a request before landing in the airport may make a request after landing.

Special Circumstances

Q: Can I enter Guangzhou by train or bus from Hong Kong or Macao and then depart from the Baiyun Airport within 72 hours?

A: No, you can't. This policy is only implemented at the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Passengers entitle to the 72-hour visa-free transit policy can only complete their transit procedure at the Baiyun Airport.