do stops for changing planes in china negate the 144hr twov requirements for us - sha -

Question

My relative is looking at this Xiamen Airlines itinerary below as it's cheaper for their family of 5 to visit two countries this summer.  However, they don't know if it will nullify the 144hr visa since they will have to change planes multiple times within China on this Xiamen Airlines to TPE and back to US.  They don't mind the extra stop in Xiamen on way back home to USA as they can rest and do a 1/2 day tour of Xiamen during that overnight layover.Itinerary:Day 1 is USA -->  Shanghai (1 stop to change planes in Shenzen for 2hr 30min in between flights)Day 7 is Shanghai --> Taipei (1 stop to change planes in Fuzhou for 1hr 55min in between flights)Day 11 is Taipei -- > USA (2 stops to change planes: 1st stop in Xiamen for 22hr 45min in between flights, 2nd stop in Shenzen for 15hr 25min in between flights)It seems like they should still qualify for 114hr in Shanghai and on trip back but thought I'd ask for them to be sure.A. Is their family eligible for 144hr visa free stay in Shanghai?B. Is their family eligible for overnight visa free stay in Xiamen on return flight from TPE to USA since they'll do the 144hr in Shanghai?C. Is there any visa free option in Shenzen for their 15hr overnight layover?

Rob · Answer

This plan is a complete non-starter for visa-free transit for multiple reasons, I'm afraid. It needs Chinese visas in advance.A. Is their family eligible for 144hr visa free stay in Shanghai? No. 144 hours visa-free only allows transit in one city and you have multiple stops.B. Is their family eligible for overnight visa free stay in Xiamen on return flight from TPE to USA since they'll do the 144hr in Shanghai?No. They have two stops in China and that limits them to 24 hours in China if they don't have a visa.C. Is there any visa free option in Shenzen for their 15hr overnight layover?No. There is no visa-free option AT ALL in Shenzhen. This completely kills this itinerary for visa-free travel on both your outbound and return flights.So it's three no's, and they need visas or a new itinerary.

Air2018 · Answer

Thanks for the response.  So effectively the issue is Xiamen Airlines electing to change planes back inside China on this itinerary even though the Xiamen Airlines website show this itinerary as USA --> Shanghai(1 stop)  --> Taipei(1 stop)  --> USA(2 stop).  I was hoping the stops would be considered transit time at the airports as they are required connections at Xiamen's Airline hubs.  They'll probably have to skip China on this trip and choose Hong Kong or South Korea to couple with Taipei to not incur additional visa fees for 5 family members.  Thanks and happy Chinese new years!

CDKING · Answer

I was hoping the stops would be considered transit time at the airports as they are required connections at Xiamen's Airline hubs.Nope. Many of the mainland Chinese carriers have these intermediate stops and if on any one of them you lose the ability to TWOV over 24 hours (if city is even eligible for that). These airlines only really work for those that already have a visa, live in countries that have less restrictive china entry rights or Chinese citizens.

Do stops for changing planes in China negate the 144hr TWOV requirements for US -> SHA -> TPE -> US?

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