Question

Asked by Jelly from singapore | Sep. 05, 2019 04:00

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Visa Query

Hi, I have a group of travellers with Singapore, US & UK passports. They are planning to be in Shenzhen in morning and leave by 2pm. Do they need visa?

Thanks!

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Answers (4)

Answered by Jelly | Sep. 05, 2019 18:30

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Thank you for the reply.

All travellers from Singapore, UK & US are arriving HK on 19/9.
They plan to take a train to Shenzhen in the morning (8am) and return to HK at 1pm.
So, it is only a half-day in Shenzhen.

Thank you once again for your advice.

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Answered by ZUPAN | Sep. 05, 2019 04:19

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Singaporean citizens (passport holders) are fine in any case because they do not need a visa to enter and stay in China for up to 15 days, but you should offer the itinerary for others from your group, so that we can offer reliable and correct answer. Like this, it is literally impossible.

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Answered by ZUPAN | Sep. 06, 2019 03:18

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Part one:

I understand.

I suggest that the members of your group take East Rail line from the center of Hong Kong to Lo Wu border crossing. After they clear Hong Kong control, they will walk some 100 meter to the mainland Chinese counterpart border crossing called Luohu. There they will apply for 5 day Shenzhen VOA. Of course, the Singaporean citizens will not apply because they will enter China visa free. They are supposed to bring one passport size photo with them and a Chinese currency (easily obtainable at Hong Kong money changers) for visa issuing fee. Here, one warning. UK citizens have to pay 304 CNY and US citizens 956 CNY each. After they are granted Shenzhen VOA, they will just take a metro to the center of Shenzhen.

In my opinion, this is not a good option because of the price. OK, it is fine for Singaporeans, relatively acceptable for UK citizens, but really too expensive for US citizens. So, your option is to rely on 6 day visa exemption for tourists to Pearl River Delta. This is the option where a Hong Kong based agency organizes half day or day (or even longer) tours to destinations within mainland China, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou and similar, but absolutely visa free. Of course, the question is here how much would they ask for a half or a day trip for your group per person.

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Answered by ZUPAN | Sep. 06, 2019 03:19

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Part two:

So, your best bet is to make a contact with one of the Hong Kong based travel agencies and try to negotiate the price that will be lower that the amount that should be payed on Shenzhen VOA. It would be also psychologically more acceptable for the members of your group because they would be paying for a tour and not just for a sticker in the passport. Also, they would be escorted and taken care by a tour guide and their stay in Shenzhen would be probably more meaningful than the one performed by a group of total strangers to the city they encounter for the first time.

Think about it and bring a decision. At least, now you know your options :)

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