72-hour visa-free transit policy

The State Council has approved Guilin's offering 72-hour visa-free transit to benefit citizens from 51 countries who arrive at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport with a visa for and air ticket to a third country or region. 

The following are helpful tips regarding the 72-hour Visa-free transit policy. 

I. Visa-free requirements

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Public Security, foreign nationals who enjoy the visa-free policy at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport must be: 

- Citizens from countries included in the 72-hour Visa-free Transit Program;

- Foreign nationals with valid international traveling documents;

- Foreign nationals that meet the requirements for conditions of entry in their destination countries and regions;

- Foreign nationals with an air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat from Guiling Liangjiang International Airport to a third country (region) departing within 72 hours. The airline company that carries him/her to China must make the application to the border control authorities.

The Guilin Border Control Station must verify those requirements and complete the formalities for passengers seeking a transit visa. 

II. Notice

1. The passenger must hold an air ticket for a third country

According to the regulations of the 72-hour visa-free transit policy, a foreign national applying for the 72-hour transit visa exemption must hold an air ticket for a connecting flight with a confirmed date of flight and seat or the relevant certificate. This facilitation measure does not apply to a foreign national that does not have a confirmed air ticket for a connecting flight leaving within 72 hours; nor does it apply to a passenger arriving from a country and returning to that country after a stopover in Guilin.

2. Exit-entry at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport

After the implementation of the 72-hour visa free transit policy in Guilin, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport will serve as the sole port for exit and entry. Foreign nationals granted the 72-hour transit visa exemption must exit and enter into through Guilin Liangjiang International Airport.

3. A foreign national may not leave Guilin during the stay.

Foreign nationals must stay in Guilin within the permitted time and may not leave the administrative precincts of Guilin or stay longer than the permitted time. In case of need to leave Guilin or stay longer than 72 hours because of Force Majeure, the passenger must apply for a visa to the exit-entry administration department of the municipal public security authorities of Guilin as required by law. 

III. Border inspection procedures for foreign nationals having 72-hour transit visa exemptions:

Entry procedures:

- The passenger shall make the 72-hour visa free transit application in advance through the airline company that carries him/her to China;

- After arrival, the passenger shall fill in the disembarkation card for foreigners and apply to border control authorities for 72-hour transit visa exemption at the site of Entry Border Inspection "Exclusive Channel for 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption" with valid international traveling documents and an air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat from Guiling Liangjiang International Airport for a third country (region) departing within 72 hours;

- After verification, the border control authorities will seal a temporary entry permit on the passport to grant a temporary entry and complete the 72-hour transit visa exemption for the passenger.

Exit procedures:

- The passengers shall, within 72 hours, with valid international traveling documents and a temporary entry permit, depart from the Guilin Liangjiang International Airport subject to inspection and confirmation of border control authorities.

IV. 72-hour visa-free transit airlines 

Guilin--Hong Kong

Guilin--Taipei

Guilin--Seoul

Guilin--Kaohsiung

Guilin--Kuala Lumpur

Guilin--Bangkok

Guilin--Krabi

Guilin--Chejudo

V.  Applicable countries

The 72-hour transit visa exemption policy is applicable to the following countries at Guilin Airport (51 in total):

- 24 Schengen countries in Europe

Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Holland, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

- 13 other European countries

Russia, Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania 

- 6 countries in the Americas

The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile 

- 2 Oceania countries

Australia, New Zealand

- 6 Asian countries

Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar