Question

Asked by Lisa from netherlands | May. 08, 2019 03:15

About:72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Visa free travel in Shanghai

I have a residence permit which is ending on the 22nd of May. My flight to Hong Kong is on the 26nd of May and cancelling or changing would be pricy. Therefore I was thinking to book a return ticket to Bangkok from 20 - 24 May. I'll return to Shanghai on the 24th and go to Hong Kong on the 26th and return to Europe in June. Will this be acceptable to get a visa free permit for these two/three days? Or will customs be a pain in the ass if they see that I had a residence permit before?

Thanks for your help! It is appreciated.

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Answers (3)

Answered by Lisa | May. 11, 2019 00:44

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Hey!

Thanks for your answer and help. I have another question because is there not a rule that you have to leave the country after your residence permit expires and that there is waiting time/overlapping period before you can enter China again?

I am just worried if I book my trip to Bangkok and come back to China for the transit that they won't let me in.

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Answered by ZUPAN | May. 08, 2019 06:24

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Your flight itinerary as far as I have understood:

Shanghai - Bangkok - Shanghai - Hong kong - Europe

Your arrival in Shanghai will be after your residence permit has expired and you will be just in transit through Shanghai, arriving from Bangkok and after that departing to Hong Kong. So, your itinerary as far as visa free transit is concerned is Bangkok - Shanghai - Hong Kong and therefore you are eligible for visa free transit in Shanghai regardless of your residence status that will be expired at that time. To conclude, you are definitely eligible for 144 hours visa free transit and the immigration authorities will not make you any troubles beside one or two unnecessary bureaucratic questions. Just be relaxed and there will be no problems.

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Answered by ZUPAN | May. 11, 2019 01:21

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There might be a rule that you have described, but this rule applies to visits and not to transits! There is no rule that would limit or forbid the transits of people whose residence permit has recently expired. So, although you will enter the country, stay there for a couple of days, you are technically in transit and not in a visit to China. To conclude, you have a right to transit through China according to Chinese relevant rules, so you can proceed with your intended itinerary.

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