Temporary Entry Permit at Port for Indian Passport Holders (Transit Purpose, to Exit Airport Restricted Area)

⚠️ Important Pre-Note: Approval is not automatic. Border Inspection authorities hold full discretion and may reject the application. This is only for transit passengers who qualify for the 24-hour visa-free transit, hold confirmed connecting air tickets, and originally stay within the airport transit zone but need to exit the airport for overnight accommodation or brief sightseeing. This permit cannot be used as a tourist visa. (National Immigration Administration of China)

✅ Mandatory Eligibility Criteria (All items must be satisfied)

• Ordinary Indian passport, valid for at least 3 months. No prior Chinese visa refusal record and no negative immigration records.
• Confirmed connecting international flight departing within 24 hours: Route: Country A → China (this port) → Country C (third country; cannot fly back to the country of origin).
• Rationale of the trip: You are eligible for 24-hour airside visa-free transit, and you only need to leave the port restricted area (exit the airport).
• Entry must be via an open international airport (Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun and other international airports).

📋 Documents to submit on arrival at the port (to Border Inspection on site)

1. Original Indian passport
2. Printed itinerary of full connecting flight (electronic ticket printout, showing confirmed seat, next flight departs within 24 hours)
3. Fill out the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners (available and filled on-site at the border counter)
4. Hotel booking confirmation (border officers commonly request verification)
5. Supplementary materials may be requested: trip statement, onward travel proof, and guarantee from airline or travel agent if necessary.

📝 Application Procedure upon arrival at the airport

1. After landing in China, do not take the international transit corridor. Proceed to the Border Inspection counter.
2. Clearly state to the border officer: I am in transit, holding a 24-hour connecting flight. I apply for a Temporary Entry Permit to leave the airport.
3. Submit passport and connecting flight documents, complete the arrival card and answer inquiries for verification of your trip purpose and authenticity.
4. Border Inspection reviews and makes an on-site decision. If approved, the Temporary Entry Permit will be issued.
5. Once granted, you may enter mainland China. Maximum stay: ≤24 hours. You must depart before your connecting flight departs.

❌ Common Grounds for Rejection (Important reminder for Indian travellers)

• Passport valid for less than 3 months
• Chinese visa refusal stamp on passport
• Record of illegal entry, illegal stay or illegal work in China within the past 5 years
• Severe violation of foreigner accommodation registration rules within the past 2 years
• No genuine valid connecting flight within 24 hours, or unconfirmed flight seat
• Border officer determines your real purpose is tourism rather than transit
• Border officer suspects risk of overstay and reserves the right to reject directly. No appeal channel. (National Immigration Administration of China)

⚠️ Critical Restrictions

• Maximum stay is 24 hours, NOT 10 days. India is excluded from the 240-hour visa-free transit list. This Temporary Entry Permit is not equivalent to the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
• Only for short transit exit from the airport. Long-distance tourism is not allowed. You may only travel within the city of your entry port (e.g., entering via Shanghai Pudong Airport, activities limited to Shanghai only). Cross-city travel is prohibited.
• If staying in a hotel after entry, you must complete foreigner accommodation registration as required.
• If approved, you must depart by your connecting flight’s scheduled time. Overstay constitutes illegal residence, resulting in adverse immigration records which will greatly hinder future entry applications to China.
• Not recommended as a regular travel plan for Indian tourists due to high risk. Your application may be rejected upon arrival and you will have to remain inside the airport transit area. The reliable option is to apply for a Chinese tourist visa in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates overseas.

Distinction from Visa on Arrival (Frequently Confused)

• Temporary Entry Permit (issued by Border Inspection): For transit passengers with confirmed 24-hour connecting flights to exit airport; free of charge; max stay ≤24 hours; reviewed and approved by Border Inspection.

• Visa on Arrival (issued by port visa authority): For emergency business, humanitarian reasons and group tourist visas; pre-approval documents from competent authorities required. Indian ordinary tourists cannot apply for tourist visa on arrival directly at the port.

Short verbal script for Indian passenger to tell border officer

I am a transit passenger. I have a confirmed connecting international flight departing within 24 hours to a third country. I want to apply for a Temporary Entry Permit to leave the airport for overnight stay and short city visit. I will depart China before the 24-hour limit and will not overstay.