Thread: Soooo, new Chinese visa requirements?

Once you get GE use that number as trusted traveler when you list. I just went thru SEA--put my carry-on and handbag on the conveyor--everything inside--toiletries, computer...Then I walked thru wearing my shoes, jacket and scarf. PRICELESS!

BTW--ICN airport is worth visiting. You can do a DMZ tour from the airport. There is a funky hotel in Airport Town (with shuttle) and a great little Korean BBQ joint around the corner. I think the hotel is Queen. There is a train in town to go to Seoul. You can also investigate homestays.

Take Heart, Tony!
Home>>News>>Beijing Soon to Allow "72-Hour Transit Without Visa"
Beijing Soon to Allow "72-Hour Transit Without Visa"

By Leon Zheng, WCARN.com | Dec. 05, 2012
Starting from Jan. 1, 2013, foreign passengers from 45 countries or regions, with a third country visa and flight ticket, will be able to enjoy the new policy of "72-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV)" when transiting through Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
The following is the list of the countries and regions that the "72-hour Transit Without Visa" policy is applied:
Twenty four European Schengen countries: 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;
Seven other European countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine;
Six American countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile;
Two Oceania countries: Australia, and New Zealand;
Six Asian countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar."

Obviously, you still need refundable tickets and hotel/itinerary, but no cost to you!

Originally Posted by Tony757

Very good news!! PVG here I come!

PVG has had a 48 hour visa-free transit for sometime now.

I think it was reduced to 24 last year--all transit visas thru China mainlad airports--and technically , you couldn't leave the airport. You also have to have proof of onward travel.
I have a tendancy to think Yeechong has it right--regarding the Chinese being the Chinese...

Tony--the 72 hour transit is for Beijing and I see that you must have onward ticket to a third country. You can't just go to PEK and back for 72 hrs. I don't see PVG. Sorry...

Originally Posted by Tony757

Bleah. I'm just annoyed with the whole schmear. I think once the tourists stop coming and the money slows down, they will reconsider. (I hope)

You'd think so, but it hasn't slowed that much since the Olympics...
Then they had the exposition in Shanghai, and apparently river cruises are still very popular. Not as though they need any tourism money--they have oodles of ours!