11/10/2022
07:53
72-Hour Visa- Free Transit in Xian
Since June 1st 2014, Xian Xianyang International Airport opens 72-hour visa free transit to travelers from 51 countries. Foreign visitors that stop over Xi’an with international connecting flights to visit a 3rd country are able to have a short Xi’an Tour and see the Terracotta Warriors in the 72hrs.
Application condition:
1)Citizens of the listed 51 countries below.
2)Citizens with valid international travel documents( passport& Visa if required) and the confirmed international connection ticket(within 72 hours stop-over in Xi’an ) to the 3rd country or region.
3)Arrival and departure from Xi’an airport (cannot go to other cities during the 72 hours) to a third country or region.
List of the 51 Qualified Countries
| 37 Countries in Europe | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland,Macedonia, Republic of Montenegro,Romania, Russia, Serbia, UK, Ukraine |
|---|---|
| 6 countries in America | The US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile |
| 6 countries in Asia | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar |
| 2 countries in Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
Prior to Xian, Beijing and Shanghai already opens visa free transit service to international travelers. In Shanghai international visa free travelers could stay for 144 hours and they could visit around Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Beijing enjoys the same policy as Xi’an; the visa free travelers can not travel beyond administrative region of Beijing.
Hanyangling Mausoleum
Q&A About the 72-hour Visa Free Transit
Q: How to apply the 72 hours visa free transit?
A: Qualified international visitors should inform the airline company through which you arrive in China when board the flight and fill an Arrival/Departure Card on the flight to apply for the 72 hours visa free transit permit. The airline company will deliver the application to airport custom. After declaration, qualified international visitors will be permit to enter Xi’an for sightseeing within 72hrs.
Q: If I arrive in Xian with single entry flight ticket, but I plan to purchase departure ticket after arrival, can I apply for the 72 hours visa free transit?
A: The round-way international connecting flight ticket (within 72 hours after the arrival) is a must for application. Travelers with single journey tickets will be refused.
Q: I want to do the 72 hours visa free tour in Xian. Can I arrive Xian by train and departs China from Xian airport?
A: NO. The Policy is only available for international travelers who connect flights in Xian Xiangyang International airport.
Q: Can I fly from my homeland to Xian, staying there for 72 hours and then fly back to my country without a Chinese visa?
A: Travelers in that case can not apply for the visa free transit. According to regulation, the 72 hours visa free transit application is only to the qualified 51 country visitors who flies from one country and after staying in Xian flies to a 3rd country or region.
Q: Can I travel to other cities beyond administrative region of Xian after getting the official permission for 72 hours visa free transit?
A: No. In principle the 72 hours visa free tourist cannot travel beyond administrative region of Xian. If one wants to visit other cities, he needs to apply visa from Xian Public Security Bureau.
Q: If I gets permission for 72 hours visa free but fails to depart Xian within 72 hours due to special reason, what should I do?
A: International visitors who get permission for 72 hours visa free transit, and failed to depart due to force majeure, needs to apply visa from Xian Public Security Bureau and then departs Xian.
Q: Could I apply to depart China from airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu after I get permit?
A: International visitors are not allowed to leave the city of 72hrs visa free stay. Visitors should depart China from Xian airport within the legal staying period. They are forbidden to depart China from airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or Guangzhou.