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Tips for your 72-hour visa-free stay in Beijing

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Since the beginning of this year, Beijing, as well as Shanghai, has begun to implement a visa exemption policy, offering short-term tourists from 45 countries a chance to explore China's capital for three days without a visa via Beijing Capital International Airport.

China.org.cn has compiled a list of the things you need to know for your 72-hour visa-free stay in Beijing, as well as what to do in this amazing city.

Policy interpretation

Foreign tourists from 45 countries holding third country visas and plane tickets can apply for a 72-hour transit without visa (TWOV) at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Foreign visitors, who hold passports issued by the 45 countries eligible for the policy, could apply for such a 72-hour transit stay at the entry-exit frontier inspection authorities at the airport. This policy is only applicable to foreign visitors who enter, stay in and depart from Beijing.

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Public Security, foreign visitors who meet all of the following requirements could apply for the visa-free transit:

-Holding passports issued by the 45 countries listed below;

-Holding valid international travel documents that can prove their nationality and identity;

-Qualified for the entry requirements of their destination country;

-Holding valid air tickets or arrangements with specific dates and seat numbers which prove they will make transit via Beijing Capital International Airport to the third country or region within 72 hours;

-Being reported to China's exit-entry frontier inspection authorities by their airline companies.

List of the 45 countries/regions for which the 72-hour visa-free stay, while in transit, is applicable

Austria, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, UAE, Ukraine, USA

Supporting services offered by various government authorities and agencies

Beijing's different government agencies have staged various supporting services to facilitate the foreign visitors' three-day stay in the capital, with a working team set up for effective trans-departmental coordination and communication.

-Beijing exit and entry frontier inspection authorities have set up a special channel for foreign visitors qualified for the 72-hour visa-free stay. In addition, travelers with enquiries can dial the agency's 24-hour hotline at 8610-56095400, or visit its official website: www.bjbj.gov.cn to leave a message for reply.

-To ensure quick declaration, the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau increased the number of fast-detecting devices, including intelligent infrared thermometers and X-ray inspection systems at the special channel set up for the transit visitors. Foreign visitors can visit the bureau's official website: www.bjciq.gov.cn for more information. The bureau will temporarily keep the articles banned from entering China for transit visitors if they have such requests and the articles meet the specific requirements for temporary storage; transit visitors should take these articles away when leaving China. Any other articles will be destroyed in line with relevant regulations.

Transit visitors should leave their pets at the designated spots for quarantine when entering China, and take their furry companions with them when leaving the country. Service dogs, such as guide dogs or hearing dogs, can accompany their masters into China if they are in the possession of the valid health documents or certificates and are found to meet China's quarantine requirements; they should leave China with their masters within 72 hours.

- Beijing Capital International Airport has taken various measures to ensure quick transit registration procedures, designating more staff to provide transit visitors with the necessary instructions, and installing signs to guide the flow of transit passengers. A special service area for these passengers has been arranged, offering drinking water and reading materials for those who do not plan to leave the airport.

Services, including mobile phone rental, foreign currency exchange, car rental and luggage storage, will be provided. In addition, parking space for tourism buses for the visitors has been reserved. Shops selling Beijing gifts and souvenirs are opened across the airport terminals, and promotional activities will be held from time to time to attract more transit visitors. The airport is currently joining hands with qualified tourism agencies to open up customized routes for transit visitors.

- The Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development has also set up a publicity counter at the entry hall of the airport, with staff stationed there to offer information services, which will run from 6:00 a.m. to 24:00 a.m., according to the landing schedules of international flights. Visitors can also visit the commission's official website: www.bjta.gov.cn for more information.

- The Beijing Tourism Group, a qualified tourism service provider responsible for the reception of transit visitors, offers their classical top-notch tourism products -- "24 hours in Beijing" and "48 hours in Beijing." The group will, in the future, offer highly discounted hotels and catering services to transit visitors. There are urban transport services from the airport to downtown Beijing. Transit visitors, while having sightseeing and business activities, can enjoy free-of-charge entertainment activities at night, such as Peking Opera and Kung Fu shows.

Special tips on your 72-hour stay in Beijing

1) Foreign visitors who stay at places other than hotels must register at the local police station within 24 hours upon their arrival.

2) 72-hour visa-free transit foreign visitors are not allowed to leave Beijing for any other Chinese cities during the 72 hours, and have to depart from Beijing.

3) Foreign visitors must carry valid passports and documents during their stay in China.

4) Foreign visitors can call 110 in case of emergency.

5) Foreign visitors who stay in Beijing for more than 72 hours due to force majeure must apply for a valid visa at the Entry-Exit Management Office of the Beijing Public Security Bureau in advance. Address: No. 2 East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

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