do we qualify for the 144 free visa waiver, i am being told not

Question

Please help, I am going round in circles. Me and my husband fly to Shanghai from the UK in Feb 2020 we stay in a hotel for 2 nights in Shanghai before transferring to a ship at the cruise terminal, we stay in port onboard ship for another night (3 nights in Shanghai in total) before we set sail for Japan. Nobody will give me a straight answer other than I have to go to the embassy have an interview have my fingerprints taken and will be over £300 lighter in my pocket. I am convinced we do not need a VISA for just 3 days. In anticipation Ruth

ZUPAN · Answer

Here is the answer:No, you don't need a visa.This is your itinerary:UK - Shanghai - JapanIn case that you don't have any additional stop on your flight from UK to Shanghai and in case that you don't have your first port of call, immediately after Shanghai, in mainland China, you really don't need any kind of visa because you will enjoy 144 hour visa free transit in Shanghai area.

Ruth Wade · Answer

ZupanThank you so much for your information.  I have applied for the VISA via the link from this website so fingers crossed it will be ok.If you have any more advice then this would be greatly appreciated.Ruth 😁

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Do we qualify for the 144 free visa waiver, I am being told NOT