Question
Asked by Sarah from USA | Jun. 20, 2013 09:51
About:72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Do I qualify for the 72-hour-visa free transit with 2 separate round trip?

Hi, I have a round trip ticket from Honolulu to Shanghai (July 8 - August 9) and then another one from Shanghai to Paris (July 11 - August 8).
I will only be spending 2 nights in Shanghai on my way there (July 9 and 10) and one night on my way back (August 8). Do I still qualify for the 72 hour free transit since my 1st round trip gives the impression that I am staying in Shanghai for a month? (which I am not as my second trip proves it). The airlines aren't sure. Thanks a lot.

Answers (2)
Answered by Jeffery from Canada | Jun. 21, 2013 01:43
10Reply
Hi, personally I think you need to apply for a Chinese visa in advance for this visit. But you can also contact Shanghai Airport directly for more inforation. Tel:0086-21-51105100
Answered by Sarah from France | Jun. 21, 2013 04:28
00Reply
I just received an answer from China Embassy in L.A. , here is what they say: "(...) As long as you have a ticket that continues on to an international destination, the endorsement should be routine. If Shanghai Pudong airport is your international transit point, you may stay in Shanghai for 48 hours if you have a valid passport, a visa for your destination, and an onward plane ticket. Make sure you get an endorsement stamp at the immigration desk before you leave the airport." Sounds great but they don't mention the fact that I will be using 2 different round trips so I called a travel agency expert who told me that French citizens are "different" and must get fingerprinted no matter what to enter!! Freaked out I read many various sites in French and English and in some it looks like I'll be fine and in others it says clearly that round trip ticket are not eligible for the 72 hour free transit... headache.. so I followed your advice and just called Shanghai airport. The lady spoke English and was friendly, she said that I will be ok as long as I can show a ticket going to Paris, I insisted that I had 2 different tickets because she kept saying just show your HNL-PVG-CDG ticket and you will be fine (as long as I don't stay for more than 72 hours and remain in Shanghai city only). She repeated that I will be ok.. Hopefully I made myself clear. I feel better now however, she did mention that she is not with the immigration office but an airport employee... Anyway thank you for your help :-)
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