Really great info David! We almost used this a year or two ago but our flight was cancelled a few days before and we ended up flying via Thailand. Really good to know all about it for next time. Cheers! - Thomas
Chasing a Plate - Food and Travel Channel it's really useful! I originally planned to visit China for longer many months ago but was put off until I found out about this. Thanks for watching guys 😁
Brilliant!, Brilliant!, Brilliant! What can I say.. I love your videos. We are spending 5 days in Shanghai before going on to Tokyo when we leave here from NZ so this has been so helpful. Your out takes crack me up so please keep including them lol. I don't vlog but I can imagine not all vlogs can be done in one take all the time. Right.. off to watch your other videos on Shanghai. Keep safe x
Bronnie Hanlon hey Bronnie! They will be uploaded on Saturday and Monday! Where I am now has awful Wi-Fi! Thanks for watching! Have u checked out my Tokyo videos?
Thank you for the video - very informative! Quick question - Did you have to let the aircraft know that you were using the 72/144 hr visa because I've heard of stories where people aren't able to board because they don't have visa on them.
Does anybody know if airplane ticket has to have SEAT NUMBER on it? Does it has to be boarding pass or confirmation from airline is ok? I mean some airlines allow you to choose seat number and get boarding pass only about 1-2 days before departure date so if you want go to Shanghai and stay for 3 or more days sometimes you're not able to have seat number and boarding pass at the moment of landing in China. How it's solved then?
Élida T. Hey elida, not a stupid question at all. I always stress about arrival cards. They gave it on the plane, u then fill out the second blue one when you go through immigration. Check in took slightly longer than normal, the guy wasn't fully aware of the transit visa (!) So had to call a colleague over. Just make sure you have all the details of your next destination, visas if necessary and your accomodation in China. They asked all this at check in for me. When are you going?
Linda C. PlanetGrateful I've just called off my Beijing trip because the cheaper flights involve a stop off somewhere else in China first, meaning I would not be applicable for the transit visa. So annoying!
Thanks for the video! Quick question - What if you 1) Buy a roundtrip ticket from USA to Shanghai and then buy a ticket to a third country, Japan, so essentially, you're flying from USA to Shanghai, staying in Shanghai for less than 72 hours, flying to Japan, spending a few days in Japan, and then flying back to Shanghai, spending less than 72 hours, before finally returning back to the states. Do you think they will issue you multiple 72 hour visas?
Elizabeth R hey Elizabeth, thanks for watching. OMG that sounds complicated! I've looked online but can't locate anything as it seems quite specific. Things which I imagine could cause an issue - 1 - when checking in in the states they may have an issue that your exit flight from Shanghai is back to USA so just on the basis of that you wouldn't be allowed to check in. BUT the fact that you can show them a ticket to Japan may mean it's ok. 2 - I can't find anywhere explaining about multiple entries to China, but I think as it's clear you have the flight back to the USA the second time u enter I imagine it'll be fine, but u know immigration, every case is different! I'll try and find some more info!
Lol very complicated! I came across this article that states "There are no restrictions regarding the number of times that a traveller may transit without visa provided that they meet the qualifying criteria for either the standard 24hr period or the special 72hr period.There are also no restrictions concerning which airlines a traveller may use for each separate leg of their journey. There is no requirement to apply for transit without visa in advance of initial check-in. Note, however, that you must satisfy your carrier that you do meet the relevant qualifying criteria in order to be permitted to board the first leg of your journey. This essentially means having your onward travel documents to hand, which you will need in any case at Immigration in China. You must also, if needed, have obtained any visa for your onward destination. Inform your carrier of your intent to use TWOV at check-in." I think the situation I described meets the criteria. Traveling from one country, landing in china, staying for less than 72 hours, and leaving to a third country. Then on the way back to the states, the criteria is also met... starting from one country, landing in china and staying of less than 72 hours, and then leaving to a third country (home). Anyways, my tickets are booked for March, and i am prepared to try it LOL. I will let you know how it goes. thank you for your help!
Hi! I want to know if it is okay to fly USA to Hong Kong (stay in Hong Kong for 3 days) then to Shangahi(3 days) to Tokyo, and then back to Hong Kong to fly back home to the USA. So I guess my question is can I stay in Hong Kong before going to Shanghai or do I need to make an immediate connecting flight to Shanghai?
What about if you don't have a hostel/hotel planned, and you just plan to site see for 8-10 hours and come back to the airport to lounge at till your flight comes? Our layover is 17 hours, can we still get our in transit visa?
Dia Yang hi Dia, as far as I am aware you need to be able to give details of where you're staying however if you're just there for 8-10 hours and not staying anywhere I'd explain this to immigration. You would have to register with local police also. I would probably book a hostel anyway just to be safe, so you have somewhere to enter on your arrival card. Immigration would probably be suspicious if you say you have nowhere to stay! Have a great time in Shanghai!
Ok I will try that. Our plan was to put out luggage in storage at the airport as we site see and come back. If they make it too hard then we will just stay at the airport.
With regards to the onward flight. I am flying from Chicago To Shanghai in United, staying only 4 days, then flying to Hong Kong on Hongkong airlines, however I only have a confirmation email from Hong Kong airlines because I can not check in until 48 hours prior to my flight. Will a print out of the confirmation email work? Thanks and great video I will def be subscribing!
It is a bit of a minefield. A year after this I was refused entry in Beijing, but only because I had checked my stuff in to my final destination (was just 11 hour layover). So always collect your baggage!
I am planning a trip from australia via singapore to shanghai and staying only one night, the cruising to the philiphines and japan then returning to shanghai for three days and then flying to singapore then australia. Will i be ok with the 144 free visa?
Hey Marcus, sorry for the late reply. I've just checked on this website - www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/visa/free-transit-144-hours.htm It says on there you can definitely leave Shanghai on a cruise (my initial thought was that the visa only applies to flying out, but the website says otherwise). Sounds like an epic trip. LOVE JAPAN!! Have a great time!
My layover is only 8 hour before continue flying to Jakarta. We came from LA , can we (me, wife & 2 kids) still get free visa for 24/72 hours? Dont want to rent hostel....
mummelmansberg interesting question, you're the second person to ask. The truth is I don't know 100% but I think if you can show them the confirmed flight to Jakarta it would be fine as it's clear you're leaving China. Enjoy Jakarta, I'll be there early December!
I live in the states and would like to visit hong kong and stop over to see the great wall before I go. My question is, if I do this, would i have to go to Beijing first, then hong kong?
Hi Great Video Quick question about the visa my only issue is traveling back UK Me and my partner are traveling end of March from UK to Hong Kong 3 days then to Shanghai for 4 days then to Seoul 5 days then head over Beijing I would say less than 3 day before heading back to UK would you think I need a Visa especially for Beijing
The Tao of David oh brilliant but looking at my travel would I still need the visa as so confused with the visa if I wasn’t go Beijing no issue but my last stop is so just confused on that
@@SameerKhan-kh6xx yep you would need two seperate transit visas - Hong Kong - Shanghai - Seoul Seoul - Beijing - UK As long as you can show your accom details and onward flight details you won't have a problem at check in or immigration. They will prob ask about visas at check in but as UK citizen you won't need one for Seoul. I'd have the gov.co.uk visa page ready on your phone at check in just in case they cause a fuss about getting into Korea. I was going on to Kyrgyzstan and they didn't believe me that I didn't need a visa until I showed them!
Hello thanks for the information, i got one question which i cant get an answer to. I will be flying from the netherlands to hong kong then shanghai then back to the netherlands. does it matter that the last destination is my home country even though im in transit from ''another country'' Hong Kong.
hey, yes should be fine as it's 3 countries, but these things change all the time, there's a good forum on one of the links in the description where you can ask and find out for certain
Accurate information on the subject, can you do this twice I plan to visit shanghai within 5 days then fly to japan and return to shanghai for another 4 days before returning home to the U.S. will I be eligible for a second visa free stay on the return trip. I'm sure this will be helpful to other travelers as well. Much Thanks for your efforts in keeping us informed.
Im flying to New York from Kuala Lumpur and i have a 20hr layover in Shanghai. Since i plan on leaving the airport to explore the city, i would like to know if my bags will be checked through all the way to my final destination or do i have to collect it and have them rechecked in again for my next flight?
I would collect bags and recheck in when you leave Shanghai. A year after this video I wasn't allowed to leave the airport in Beijing as my bags were checked in to my final destination. They didn't allow me to leave while my bags were between planes
Hi, i am going to India via Shanghai with connecting flight and layover of 18 hours. If i go out of the airport with 24 hours transit visa, do i need to pickup my checkin baggages in Shanghai while on transit or they put them in The connecting flight?
Hey lets take my example...i am planing to do an Asia trip it will start from Frankfurt to Peking, where i will stay for 2 days and then to South Korea and Japan and then from Tokyo back to Peking for one day and back to Germany...do i need a visa or not
Hello! I am flying from LAX to Hong kong (staying there for a few days) then from Hong Kong to Shanghai for 2 days. My return flight is then from Shanghai to LAX, BUT the return flight has a 2 hour layover in Hong Kong. Would that work for the 144hr visa? The layover part worries me, since its back to Hong Kong but ends up at LAX after. Thank you kindly
Hey, should be fine as you're not actually leaving the airport in HK on the way back. As long as you can show reservation to LAX they should be fine with it as in theory it's HK to Shang to LA
@@davidostrowski679 One more question! Do you recommend using the online application for the visa? For Shanghai specifically, the government created an online way of applying for the 144 hour. Thoughts?
Hello! I will arrived to Shanghái on monday at 23:20 hours and I will go out on saturday at 13:30 hours, I think I will stay about 125 our, do I need pay the visa? I don’t know joe I have to count the hours...Thanks for that video!
Hello, i am a US passport holder traveling to India. On our way back from India i have a 18hr layover in Guangzhou before departing back to the US. From your Knowledge do you think i still qualify for the "free visa" since i am returning to my country (US) after? or do i have to be transiting to "another" country other then my own?
Hey, yep that's fine as far as I know, there's a good forum at www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/transit.htm where's there's similar questions, the answer is yes to those with a similar issue to yourself. Have a great trip!
First World Traveller thank you. Seems like ill be able to enjoy Guangzhou on my lay over. I have seen youtubes and have read that some US passport holders were not allowed to enter the country on a layover. Also heard its a hit or miss which worries me a bit. I will contact my airline and see if they have any input on this topic thank you.
CircleHeartX hey again, I was refused entry at Beijing today because my bags were checked in to my final destination. So you'll have to ask check in to only check your bags until china, then recheck in!
First World Traveller Intresting and unfortunate... Thanks for the heads up. Dont understand why that would decide if your able to get a "free temp visa*...and there was nothing you could do about it? I think I will probably play it safe and not check in anything. I still havent called the airline but will soon. Ill up date on here if they mention anything interesting. Thank you agian. Good Travels!
Tao of David 20hr layover in shanghai. I will only be traveling with a backpack and Carry on, that would make it easier for me to leave and come back then right? As I don’t have any checked baggage.
I just want to make sure if its possible to get the 72/144 hours visa for Shanghai. If I am flying from Taiwan to Shanghai, and I want to have a couple of days of holiday in Shanghai, and the next stop will be Hong Kong from Shanghai, but only transfer in Hong Kong, and the next stop will be Taiwan again. So, in this case, I am just in Hong Kong for a transfer, and not enter the country. Can I still in this situation get the 72 or the 144 visa to Shanghai? Thanks
Marcus Carstens hi Marcus, I don't believe so. There's a few links in the description that may help more. I think you would have to enter Hong Kong as it's a third country but when the officials look at your documents it will just look as if you are going Taiwan to Shanghai to Taiwan. But I'd love to be wrong! Maybe you could book separate flights Shanghai to hk and hk to Taiwan? Obv cost more tho
Hi Thanks for your fast responding. I got the same thoughts about it maybe I should just buy the tickets separately. In that case, It will work, and I will get the 72/144 hours visa? Thanks
Marcus Carstens no worries, I just checked on the website and it seems you'll have to enter Hong Kong at least briefly. Shanghai is definitely 144hrs, Beijing 72. There's a list of which cities are what duration in the first link in the description. Hope you have a great trip!
Hi guys! What's your experience of the China Transit Visa? Why not add to my 6 points in the comments with your hints and tips? Shanghai Basics and Things to Do coming soon once I've edited them! 😉 Thanks for watching!