help. do i qualify for free transitwould i need to obtain a chinese entry permit.

Question

Hello I have a question regarding Chinese visa. I will be traveling from LA to Shanghai but have 1.5 hour layover in xiamen with a connecting flight which i will not be leaving the airport. I will be staying in Shanghai for 3 days then traveling to Hong Kong , then Tokyo. From Tokyo I will return to Shanghai and leave within 3 hours back to LA. In my flight back to LA I will have another layover for 2.5 hours with a connecting flight in Xiamen but will not be leaving the airport. In returning back to La this will be all under 24 hours in mainland.

Rob · Answer

You need a Chinese visa for your first entry to China. On the way back you would qualify for 24 hours direct transit, but if you have a USA passport it would be much better just to get a multiple-entry visa for China.

Jose · Answer

Why wont I qualify on my 1st entry? I have a connecting flight to Shanghai and not staying for more than 2 hours

Rob · Answer

You have two stops in China and that immediately limits you to 24 hours direct transit. It doesn't matter if you don't leave the airport. You will clear Chinese immigration in Xiamen before your domestic flight to Shanghai. It's quite clear: you need a visa or a non-stop flight to Shanghai, or else you will be denied boarding at your origin.

Jose · Answer

So I would be able to get a visa just for the 1st entry and use the 24 hour transit for the other?

John Doe · Answer

US Citizens are eligible for 10-year visas with multiple entries and the cost is the same as the single-entry ones. You might as well get that to save time at immigration.

Help. Do I qualify for free transit or would I need to obtain a Chinese entry permit.

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