Question

Asked by Yan Flamming from united kingdom | Jul. 30, 2019 12:42

About:Visa on Arrival

Shenzhen VOA or 144 hours/72 hours visa free?

Hello, My husband (German passport) & I would like to fly directly from UK to Shenzhen and stay 2 nights in Shekou. Afterwards, we will either take a ferry or bus or metro to Hong Kong (of which we won't have a ticket in advance to show the Shenzhen visa office or custom). We will stay in Hong Kong for 3 nights and then fly to Taipei for 4 nights and then Bangkok for 3 nights. After that, we will fly back to UK. We will be able to show all the flight tickets to the custom but not the ferry ticket/bus/ metro tickets for the bits from Shenzhen to Hong Kong. Would it be the Shenzhen VOA is the only option for us? Are we also entitled for the 72 or 144 visa free visa? I believe it would cost CNY 304 for me for the Shenzhen VOA as I am an UK passport holder and don't know how much would it be for my German husband. Anyway, it should still be cheaper than doing it in the UK embassy in London that will cost £150 for a regular single entry I believe, right? Many thanks for your reply anyway.

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Answers (3)

Answered by Yan Flamming | Jul. 30, 2019 13:52

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I just discovered I can buy the ferry tickets in advance from the website, would it be adequate to show proof as leaving China or it have to be a flight ticket as proof to be eligible for the 144 hours visa free criteria?

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Answered by Yan Flamming | Jul. 30, 2019 15:34

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Thanks very much Zupan, your thorough answers are very much appreciated!

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Answered by ZUPAN | Jul. 30, 2019 15:23

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As I can see, you have found a solution :)

The solution is called CKS - Chu Kong Passenger Transport company. You will find on their website great service from Shenzhen Shekou port to Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal. When you book your tickets on the mentioned website, you will in reality get an e-confirmation in your email inbox. Never mind, this is fine... You will print it out and it will be a proof of your itinerary:

London - Shenzhen - Hong Kong

With this ferry ticket, you have become eligible for 144 hour visa free transit in the entire Guangdong province. Unfortunately, you have limited time, but it is, what it is :)

Please, don't be confused when on the above mentioned website you read that you have to collect your tickets in Hong Kong offices. This is not intended for you, but for Hong Kong based travelers and you will simply arrive at Shekou port and present them your e-confirmations. There you will collect your real tickets and proceed by ferry (catamaran in reality) to Hong Kong.

To conclude, I strongly suggest you to forget about Shenzhen VOA in your case and to rely on this 144 hour visa free option. It is free and the only small drawback is that ferry transport. I know that quite a number of travelers don't like it, but they are very comfortable and the journey is quite short. By the way, the price for Shenzhen VOA for German citizens is 168 CNY.

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