From Jan 1st 2013 onwards, Beijing Capital International Airport will offer 72-hour free entry visa for travelers from 45 countries, who has a valid third country visa and air-tickets.

Upon 2015, the number of international passengers at Beijing Capital International Airport is estimated to reach 1.28 million after the implementation of this policy. Among them, 640,000 passengers will be transit travelers. It is believed that the increasing number of international travelers at Beijing will increase the urban consumption while adding a lot of career opportunities annually.

At the beginning of implementation of this new policy, the management of Beijing Capital International Airport had conducted many conferences together with the Frontier, Customs and the Inspection Bureau in order to optimize the transit procedure for 72-hour free visa entry. For the ease of transit passengers, increment of new signboards as well as human forces at the relevant locations of the airport has proper resolved the possibility of unexpected incidents.

Exclusive service areas have been added at Beijing Capital International Airport for 72-hour free-visa applicants. Water supply and free reading facilities are available as well. Various types of travel services such as cell phone rental, foreign currency exchange, car rental, tour service, luggage storage and etc is also available here for the convenient of transit passengers.

Moreover, Beijing Capital International Airport will cooperate with local professional tourism agencies to personalize suitable tour packages dedicatedly for transit passengers. Layover tours to well known Beijing attractions like Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and etc will be highlighted. Besides that, more souvenir ships will be opened at the terminal as well in order to make it easy for transit travelers who have only limited time in Beijing.

List of countries that eligible for 72-hour free entry visa are as below:

24 European countries with Schengen Visa: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

7 Other European countries: Russia, England, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine.

6 American countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

2 Oceania countries: Australia, New Zealand.

6 Asian countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar.

More Details about 72-hour Free Entry Visa in Beijing

Good news for foreign travelers! For those who holds valid passport with effective third country visa and possesses flight ticket or relevant documents with confirmed dates and seats to the third country within 72 hours via Beijing Capital International Airport will be eligible for the application of 72-hour Free Entry Visa in Beijing.

In order to obtain 72-hour Free Entry Visa in Beijing, international transit passengers are required to get ready with the departure tickets before entering Beijing. For those who yet possess a valid ticket to third country will not be considered under the policy of 72-hour free entry visa. This policy is suitable for those who transit in Beijing within 72 hours only. Furthermore, 72-hour Free Entry visa policy is only applicable for international transit passengers who enter from Beijing Capital International Airport only. For international transit travelers who entered Beijing via other means of transportation are not applicable for this policy anyway.

Under the policy of 72-hour Free Entry Visa, international transit travelers can stay in Beijing up to 72 hours. International transit passengers who obtain this type of visa are not allowed to leave Beijing without permission and must depart from Beijing Capital International Airport as well.

Application Steps for 72-hour Visa Free Layover in Beijing

• International transit passengers must hold valid passports and have confirmed air ticket to the third country which departs from Beijing Capital International Airport within 72 hours from the arrival time.

• If you wish to apply for 72-hour free entry Visa, please make declaration with the airline company of your flight to the third country. All airline companies shall offer the 72-hour free entry visa declaration services for their transit passengers upon arrival in Beijing Capital International Airport.

Special Remarks: For international transit passengers who have the ticket to third country in hand in which the airline companies have already declared for them prior to arrival, you are welcome to take a fast entry lane with valid travel documents.

FAQ for 72-Hour Free Entry Visa in Beijing

Can I stay in Beijing after the expiration period of 72-hour Free Entry Visa?
Basically, all international transit passengers must leave Beijing within the approved period of the visa. However, in case of situations such as sudden disease requiring urgent treatment, force majeure due to cancellation of flight and involvement in legal cases which require further investigation from the police, the Public Security Bureau will extend the visa according.

Do I need to go through customs inspection if I am a holder of 72-hour free entry visa?
Yes. All visitors must go through customs inspection upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport. Moreover, in order to prevent any spread of diseases, the Inspection and Quarantine Department will have a fast lane for holders of 72-hour free entry visa.

I am a French citizen who stays in South Korea. Can I apply 72-hour free entry visa in Beijing if I travel to and from South Korea?
No, 72-hour free entry visa is not eligible for you case. You must apply for a valid Chinese visa before traveling to Beijing. Or, if you fly to the third country from Beijing, then you are applicable for this type of visa.

Are pets allowed for the entry?
All pets that travel together with holder of 72-hour free entry visa should be kept at the appointed area of Inspection and Quarantine Department during their stay in Beijing. All pets are required to exit together with their owners when they leave Beijing.
For holder of 72-hour free entry visa who requires assistance dogs such as guide dogs and hearing dogs should obtain permission of traveling in China with their assistance dogs as long as the dogs can pass the field quarantine and they can provide valid health certificates of the dogs. The dogs must leave together with their owner before the expiry of visa.

A couple, Husband is holding an American passport while the wife is in Philippine passport, are they applicable for 72-hour free visa policy?
No! This free visa policy is strictly issued based on the customers ‘passports, people who will not be applied if he/she not from 45-approved countries. Here is the list of 45 countries:
4 European countries with Schengen Visa: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
7 Other European countries: Russia, England, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine.
6 American countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
2 Oceania countries: Australia, New Zealand.
6 Asian countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar.

I fly from US to Australia, will stop at Beijing and Guangzhou for several hours in each city. Can I apply for this 72-hour free visa policy?
No! 72-hour free visa policy regulates that customers has to fly from one country to another country and stopover in Beijing only. If tourist stopover in two or more cities, who will not be allowed to apply for this visa.

I will fly from US to Australia and stopover in Beijing for 73 hours, am I applicable for 72-hour free visa? Or, can I make a late registration at the airport custom, which will make me stay at Beijing less than 72 hours.
No! This free visa policy is strictly operated based on your connect flight ticket, which has to be within 72 hours.

I’m US citizen and holding a 2-entry visa to China with one entry is expired and the other entry will be used on Nov 16. I will fly from Singapore to US on Nov 7, can I apply for this 72-hour free visa policy on Nov 7 or do I have to use my another entry?
Yes, you can apply for this 72-hour free visa on Nov 7, but please be sure to go through the 72-hour passage and tell the custom officer that you will apply for this 72-hour free visa rather than using another entry, and show them your connect ticket. Thus, you may keep another entry valid till to the next time.

I’m a Philippines but holding American green card, am I applicable for 72-hour free visa policy?
No! This free visa policy is strictly issued based on the customers ‘passports rather than green card. Sorry.