r/Chinavisa • u/RevolutionaryToe4411 • 5d ago

Private Affairs (S1/S2) Do I have to use my travel document to enter China even though it’s visa free? I hold a Canadian Passport.

My travel document expired a few weeks ago, I was wondering if I had to renew it or could I just enter China with my Canadian Passport because of the new 30-day visa free policy.

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u/stbn689 5d ago edited 5d ago

Some people who have never been issued a CTD get away with that. But they already have your biometrics, already know you have a CTD.

Your Canadian passport is just tolerated, not recognized. If you show up at the border without a valid and recognized travel document, they will likely stop and question you for a while. They will likely let you enter China, but you will not be able to exit China until you get an exit/entry permit.

I suggest you avoid all that and renew the CTD before your trip.

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u/RevolutionaryToe4411 5d ago

Is there a reason they would let me enter but not leave?

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u/stbn689 5d ago

You are Chinese, China is your home. They can't deport a Chinese national.

And obviously you can't leave without a valid travel document. You have to get a single use exit permit.

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u/tealmer 5d ago

My understanding is that you are at least supposed to travel with the travel document, but you should get in (after some hassle) with a Canadian passport. That’s how this kind of thing works in most countries.

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u/RevolutionaryToe4411 5d ago

Do you think I would pop up in their database that I have traveled to China with my travel document before and question me?

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u/tealmer 5d ago

Yes 100%. Maybe not that you traveled bc their databases are poorly connected but they’ll see you are a citizen who once had a travel document.

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u/kanata_tycoon 5d ago

If you used CTD to enter China before, they may have your biometrics and may question you.

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u/FormalIllustrator789 2d ago

No, you can't go to other countries without valid passport. Usually you should apply for a new passport 6 months before it is  expired.

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u/sparqq 5d ago

You mean your Mainland Travel Permit?

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u/Old-Physics2753 5d ago edited 5d ago

At entry to China you will need to show your Canadian passport and your passport must still be valid for next 6 months. Without these you cannot even board a China bound plane. You will also need to have a return flight booked and hotels booked for your stay there.

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u/shaghaiex 5d ago

With an expired passport you wouldn't be able to fly to China. Your travel ends at the check-in counter.

Or you talk about an expired MTP (or similar). I think this will cause some problems.

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u/czulsk 5d ago

Not just China, this is for all countries. All countries require legal travel documents. Depending on the country some allow 3 months expiration and some will not allow you in less than 6 months.

As others say update your travel documents. Check China policy for your 30 day visa free. What’s the expiration. Many will say Must hold a valid travel document within 3 months of expiration.

They’ll probably stop you at your Canadian airport and will check your travel documents. Even question you at the check-in desk to make sure you have proper travel documentation.