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Question: Asked by Mr.Cousins from united kingdom | Feb. 15, 2011 14:46

About:Shanghai Pudong Airport

I will be flying back into Shanghai from Vietnam on Vietnam Airlines on the 24th Feb 14.15pm, after already having flown into Shanghai on a single entry visa, and then leaving on the 25th after a 21 hour stop over, at 11:40am to the UK by British Airways. I have booked a room in the Da Zhang Hotel between Terminal 1 & 2 Pudong airport, as I have been told by the Chinese Embassy that I cannot leave the airport. My question is what is the procedure on arrival for collecting my checked luggage from my Vietnam flight, making my way to the Da Zhang Hotel for the overnight stop, and then re-entering to catch my flight back to the UK. Thank you in advance for any replies.

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Answers (4): Answered by Mr.Hank | Feb. 15, 2011 21:29

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I'm afraid that you have to apply for a transit visa in advance. It is not sure whether the airport immigration staff will allow you to leave the airport.

0 0 Reply; Answered by Mr.cousins | Feb. 21, 2011 19:13

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Mr.Hank,
How is it that you tell me I cannot leave the airport without a transit visa, but you tell Mr.Chris from Canada who seems to be in the same situation, that he does not need a visa to stay in the airport or to stay at a hotel nearby. There is some very confusing information being given out by people, and no real clear answer to this. As I have to exit through customs to be able to collect my luggage, before waiting for 21 hours to catch my return flight to the UK, there doesn't seem to be anything to stop me leaving the airport to go to a nearby hotel, I have to go back through immigration to catch my return flight anyway.
I am now here in China, waiting to fly to Vietnam, returning to Shanghai on 24th Feb, and would appreciate a clear correct answer to my question, as I did not have time to apply for a transit visa before my travel. A good night sleep at a hotel would be so much better than sitting around at the airport entrance for 21 hours. Thank you in advance for your help.

0 0 Reply; Answered by Ms.Sophie | Feb. 24, 2011 00:51

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Hi, Mr. Hank should be right. This policy is not opened to UK passport holders. However, Mr. Chris with Canadian passport is included in this policy. You'd better see the introdution above on this page.

0 0 Reply; Answered by Mr.Cousins | Feb. 24, 2011 02:38

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Thank you Ms Sophie for your response, although I am currently sat typing this e-mail from my hotel room in the Da Zhong Airport hotel. I flew back into Shanghai this afternoon, without a valid visa, and after going through immigration, I was taken to another area where I, along with numerous other travellers, were all granted "stay permits", mine for 24 hours. I say again, there is some confusing information being given by people on this site, I am pleased to say that the Chinese Immigration were pleasant, and seemed very well prepared for this, with so many people being in the same position as me.

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