Jazmin Li
Shanghai has a 24/240-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of 54 countries, allowing them to transit through 24 provinces in China without a visa. This policy was first implemented in 2012 and has been updated multiple times since. Shanghai Pudong International Airport, one of the busiest international hubs in China, is one of the eligible ports of entry for this policy. Travellers can remain inside the airport or explore Shanghai during this time. However, those wishing to stay beyond 240 hours or from countries not eligible for the visa exemption must apply for a transit visa or a temporary stay permit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | Up to 24 hours without leaving the port of entry |
| Visa-free transit policy | 240 hours (10 days) |
| Countries eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit policy | 54 |
| Shanghai ports eligible for visa-free transit | 3 |
| Shanghai airports eligible for visa-free transit | Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport |
| Shanghai cruise terminals eligible for visa-free transit | Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal |
| Documents required for 24-hour visa-free transit | Arrival Card (blue version), passport |
| Documents required for 240-hour visa-free transit | A connecting ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed seat and date within 240 hours |
| Additional documents required for 240-hour visa-free transit | Host's housing contract (proof of address) and identification card |
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What You'll Learn
Shanghai's 24-hour visa-free transit policy
During the 24-hour visa-free transit period, travellers can choose to remain inside the airport or explore Shanghai. However, to leave the port of entry, a temporary entry permit is required. To obtain this permit, travellers must inform their airline that they will be applying for the visa-free transit in Shanghai when boarding. After landing, travellers must go to the waiting area and fill out an Arrival Card (blue version) at the airport or cruise terminal in Shanghai. The completed Arrival Card must then be submitted at the specialised 240-Hour Visa-free desk to obtain the temporary entry permit stamp or sticker on their passport.
It is important to note that the 24-hour visa-free transit policy does not apply to certain countries at specific airports. For example, citizens from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, and Yemen transiting through Xiamen must apply for a visa beforehand. Similarly, Syrian citizens transiting through Guangzhou are not eligible for the visa exemption.
To be eligible for the 24-hour visa-free transit, travellers must have a valid passport or international travel document that is valid for more than three months from the arrival date. Additionally, they must have a connecting ticket with a confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region within 24 hours.
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Who is eligible for a 24-hour transit visa?
Shanghai Pudong International Airport allows visa-free entry for international travellers from certain countries for up to 240 hours. This includes citizens of 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and many European countries. Travellers from these countries can enter China without a visa, as long as they have a valid passport, a connecting ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed seat and date within 240 hours, and a landing card filled out upon arrival.
For travellers from other countries, a 24-hour visa-free transit policy is available at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. This policy allows travellers from any foreign country with connecting tickets (by air, ship, or train) to a third country or region to enjoy a 24-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, bypassing immigration inspections. Eligible routes for a 24-hour visa-free transit go from Country A to China to Country C, where A and C are different countries. For example, USA-Beijing-Hong Kong or USA-Beijing-Shanghai-South Korea are eligible routes.
However, there are some exceptions to the 24-hour visa-free transit policy. Citizens from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Yemen transiting through Xiamen must apply for a visa beforehand. Similarly, Syrian citizens transiting through Guangzhou are not eligible for the visa exemption and need to apply for a visa in advance.
To apply for the 24-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, travellers must prepare certain documents, including valid international travel documents and interline tickets with confirmed dates and seats. They can then apply for the visa-free transit at the entry/exit border inspection authorities in designated ports. It is important to note that travellers may need to register at the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of their arrival, depending on their accommodation.
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The 240-hour visa-free transit policy
To be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travellers must have connecting tickets (by air, ship, or train) to a third country or region with confirmed seats and a departure date within 240 hours. The eligible countries include those from Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Asia. It is important to note that this policy does not apply to those returning to the same country they departed from. For example, a traveller from the USA cannot visit Shanghai on their way to and back from the USA.
During the 240-hour visa-free transit period, travellers can choose to remain inside the airport or explore Shanghai and other eligible provinces. To apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, travellers must inform the airline company of their intention to apply for the visa-free transit when boarding. After landing at the airport, travellers must fill out an Arrival Card (blue version) and submit it at the specialised 240-hour visa-free desk. A Temporary Entry Permit will be stamped on the passport, and travellers can then claim their luggage and proceed through customs and immigration inspections.
It is important to note that the information provided is based on the current policies and may be subject to change. Travellers are advised to check the official website or consult with the Shanghai Exit-Entry Border Inspection General Station for the most up-to-date information.
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Who is eligible for a 240-hour transit visa?
Shanghai offers a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of 54 countries, allowing them to enter China without a visa for up to 240 hours. This policy is applicable at 60 ports across 24 provinces, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Xi'an.
To be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, you must meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen of one of the 54 eligible countries. These countries include those from Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Asia. A valid passport from one of these countries is required, with at least three months of validity remaining.
- Connecting Ticket: You must have a connecting ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed seat and date within 240 hours. This can be a printed ticket or an online itinerary.
- Arrival Card: You must complete the arrival card for foreigners in transit upon reaching China. Some airlines may provide this card during the flight, or you can obtain it at the airport.
- No Negative History: Your passport should not have Chinese visa refusal stamps, records of illegal activities within the last five years, or any other indications of ineligibility.
It is important to note that this visa-free transit policy is applicable for travellers passing through China to a third destination by plane, ship, or train. If your trip involves only entering and exiting Shanghai without proceeding to another destination, you may not be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit.
Additionally, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, one of the major ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, offers a 24-hour visa-free transit for travellers from any foreign country with connecting tickets to a third country or region. This allows for a brief stay in Shanghai without the need for a visa.
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How to apply for a temporary stay permit
Shanghai has a 24-hour visa-free transit policy, which allows travellers from any foreign country with connecting tickets to a third country or region to enjoy a 24-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, bypassing immigration inspections. This policy has been in place since 15 March 2012 and is applicable at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, and Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal.
To apply for a 24-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, travellers must prepare the following documents:
- Inform the airline that you will be applying for the visa-free transit in Shanghai when boarding.
- After landing at the airport or cruise terminal in Shanghai, proceed to the waiting area and fill out an Arrival Card (blue version).
- Submit the completed Arrival Card at the designated 240-hour visa-free desk.
- Obtain a Temporary Entry Permit stamped on your passport. Remember to inform the officer if you do not want to use your existing China Visa.
- Claim your luggage and proceed through customs and immigration inspections.
- Leave the port of entry and begin your layover in Shanghai within 24 hours.
It is important to note that the 24-hour visa-free transit policy only applies if you have a connecting ticket to a third country or region. If you intend to stay in Shanghai for a longer period or do not have a connecting ticket, you must apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) or a Chinese Transit Visa (G Visa) before your departure.
Additionally, Shanghai also offers an extended 240-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of 54 eligible countries. This policy allows travellers to enter and exit through designated ports in Shanghai and other provinces within 240 hours (10 days). To utilise this policy, travellers must have a valid passport from one of the eligible countries and a connecting ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Travellers passing through Shanghai, China, are guaranteed 24-hour visa-free access. This rule applies to almost all ports of entry, including Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
If you plan to stay for more than 24 hours, you will need to apply for a transit visa. This can be a 72- or 144-hour visa. However, if you are from one of 54 eligible countries, you may be able to stay for up to 240 hours without a visa.
To apply for a 24-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai, you must inform your airline that you will be applying for the visa-free transit when boarding. After landing, you will need to fill in an Arrival Card and submit it at the 240-Hour Visa-free desk. You will then obtain a Temporary Entry Permit, which will be stamped on your passport.
If you need to stay beyond 240 hours, you must apply for a corresponding stay permit from the public security authority’s exit and entry administration department.
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