Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MollyBloom]

I am looking at a cheap flight ($700) from NYC to Seoul, but it stops in Beijing and the layover is 14.5 hours! I was figuring I would tour the city for a few hours, but I wonder if I will have any trouble getting back into the airport for my flight if I don't have a visa. Do I need one? I don't know anything about China's visa regulations.

I found this on China's tourist website: Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.

So I need a G transit visa anyways? I am confused.
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http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84248.htm

A Brief Introduction to Chinese Visas

Updated: 19/09/2008

A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese visa authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from or transit through China. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Official or Regular Visa to an alien according to his/her status, purpose of visit to China or passport type.

The overseas Chinese visa authorities are Chinese embassies, consulates, and other offices authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through Chinese territory, he/she shall apply for a Chinese visa to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities .

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Visa-free entry into China

1.
Visa-free entry for visitors: No visa is required for ordinary passport holders from Singapore ,Brunei and Japan to visit China for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends or transit.
2.
Visa-free transit (for more information about transit visas, please click here)
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Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.
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Visas are not required of passport holders of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours : Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.

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Classification of Regular Visa

Regular Visas consist of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters C, D, F, G, J-1, J-2, L, X and Z.

C Visa: Issued to crewmembers to perform duties on board an international train, airliner or other vessel, and their accompanying family members.

D Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to reside permanently in China.

F Visa: Issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship for a period of no more than six months.

G Visa: Issued to an alien who transits through China.

J-1 Visa: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.

J-2 Visa: Issued to foreign journalists who make short trips to China on reporting tasks.

L Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing, family visiting or other private purposes.

X Visa : Issued to an alien who comes to China for study, advanced studies or internship for a period of more than six months.

Z Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, and his or her accompanying family members.

[jmuns]

you can't leave the airport without a visa

[Xuanzang]

Chinese entry visas are pricey for Americans. Reconsider your choice or wait it out for 14.5 hours.

[MollyBloom]

[Xuanzang]

http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/

Notice about Adjustment of Regular Visa Fees for U.S. Citizens



Jan. 14, 2008


At the instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the regular visa fees for U.S. citizens will be adjusted on reciprocal basis, effective on Jan. 20, 2008. The details are as follows:

1. Regardless of the number of entries, the regular visa fee for an individual applicant will be adjusted to $130.
2. The regular visa fees for group visas will be adjusted to $110 per person.
3. Expedited service fees will remain unchanged.
4. Applicants whose applications are received by the Consulate General on or before Jan. 19, 2008, will be charged the current rate even if those visas may be issued on or after Jan. 20, 2008.

[bbb0777]

Visas are not required of passport holders of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours : Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.

^ That's the pertinent part. Based on your text, it's only for Shanghai it seems (which is the impression I was under already).

It is $130 for a visa for an American. I don't imagine you want to pay that...but at least taxis to and from the airport are very inexpensive in Beijing.

Beijing's new airport *is* nice...sorry it seems you to be trapped in it for so long though.