three country explanation

Question

I was due to fly UK into Hong Kong, change flights and then directly on to Shanghai, stay for 3 days, then fly direct back to UK. The airline would not let me leave the UK, as they said my planed route did not comply with the three country A,B then C ruling, and I would not be eligible for the 144 hour Shanghai visa free transit. Is this correct, as UK-Shanghai-Hong Kong - the reverse route I was due to take - is included above as acceptable? If my route is not correct, then any ideas on which is the easiest route from the UK to qualify for the visa free transit? Is it also correct you have to notify the Chinese Embassy in your home country that you intend to travel and apply for the visa on arrival?

Thomas · Answer

HK - Shanghai - UK is totally fine for the 144h twov.And NO, you don't must notify the chinese embassy in the UK.For what?The embassy  have nothing to do with the chinese immigration.And NO, you don't apply for a visa on arrival, it's a  transit without visa.

ZUPAN · Answer

As Thomas has mentioned, the airline is definitely wrong because Hong Kong is treated as the third country for 144 hours visa free purposes. Everything is so clearly explained in Timatic. So, the itinerary UK - Shanghai - Hong Kong or Hong Kong - Shanghai - UK, if there is no any other landing within mainland China is one of the clearest examples of eligibility for 144 hours visa free transit.Basically, the airlines more or less always answer in this way, but the airport staff will know how to deal with this years long old visa free transit scheme.

Saul · Answer

If your travel was entirely on Cathay Pacific then you would be denied boarding, because HKG-SHA-HKG is obviously not valid.

Three Country explanation

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