I hope that you can help me. I want to enter China with the 72 hours visa-free transit.I am currently in Bangkok und booked flights from Bangkok to Shanghai, from Shanghai to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong back to Bangkok.My originated country is therefore Thailand, but I will have a transfer for 3 hours in Hong Kong. Now I am worrying that Hong Kong will be considered as the first country and if so, I would go back from Shanghai to Hong Kong which would not be allowed.But actually, my first country is Thailand and I will fly to Shanghai and then to Hong Kong.Do you think I will have any problems with this situation? I haven’t found any advices on this problem.Thank you very much for your help in advance.Best regards,Christine

Hi Christine,unfortunately you can´t use the 72h twov as your route is HK - Shanghai - HK.It doesn´t matter if you start in Thailand or somewhere else, the last (first) stop before you enter PRC is HK.If you fly Bangkok - Shanghai nonstop and then to HK, it´s no problem.

Okay that is terrible as I have already booked the flights.If I will just fly and arrive in Shanghai would I be able at the airport to request a Chinese entry permit?

You need to apply one in advance.As a tourist you´ll not get a VOA at Shanghai and the airline will not let you board in Bangkok if you don´t have a PRC entry permit.

Bangkok (over HK) to Shanghai, Shanghai to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Bangkok

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Question: Asked by Christine from Thailand | Nov. 07, 2015 04:50

About:72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Bangkok (over HK) to Shanghai, Shanghai to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Bangkok - transit allowed?

I hope that you can help me. I want to enter China with the 72 hours visa-free transit.
I am currently in Bangkok und booked flights from Bangkok to Shanghai, from Shanghai to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong back to Bangkok.

My originated country is therefore Thailand, but I will have a transfer for 3 hours in Hong Kong. Now I am worrying that Hong Kong will be considered as the first country and if so, I would go back from Shanghai to Hong Kong which would not be allowed.
But actually, my first country is Thailand and I will fly to Shanghai and then to Hong Kong.

Do you think I will have any problems with this situation? I haven’t found any advices on this problem.

Thank you very much for your help in advance.
Best regards,
Christine

Reply

Answers (3): Answered by Thomas | Nov. 07, 2015 07:02

00Reply

Hi Christine,

unfortunately you can´t use the 72h twov as your route is HK - Shanghai - HK.
It doesn´t matter if you start in Thailand or somewhere else, the last (first) stop before you enter PRC is HK.
If you fly Bangkok - Shanghai nonstop and then to HK, it´s no problem.

00Reply; Answered by Christine from Thailand | Nov. 07, 2015 10:08

00Reply

Okay that is terrible as I have already booked the flights.
If I will just fly and arrive in Shanghai would I be able at the airport to request a Chinese entry permit?

00Reply; Answered by Thomas | Nov. 07, 2015 11:35

00Reply

You need to apply one in advance.
As a tourist you´ll not get a VOA at Shanghai and the airline will not let you board in Bangkok if you don´t have a PRC entry permit.

00Reply

Bangkok (over HK) to Shanghai, Shanghai to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Bangkok - transit allowed?

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