24 TWOV

You are eligible for the 24h visa-free transit policy. Even if you are not, you can apply for Shenzhen 5-day visa on arrival.

Hi Ruth,

Thank you so much for your reply. In relation to the 24 hour visa-free transit policy or 5-day visa on arrival, I will have two separate tickets, one for flight and the other one is train. It would be still ok right as along as I have confirmed dates and seats or does it have to be connecting flight? Thanks in advance

Also, do we need to pre-arrange a visa for HK when crossing borders between Shenzhen and HK. From memory, we were eligible for 90 days temporary stay in Hong Kong when we went directly from Australia to Hong Kong a year and half ago?

You don't need a visa for HK. The problems are that 1) Shenzhen airport currently does NOT allow transit passengers to continue to HK within 24 hours of arrival and 2) there is no 5-day VOA at Shenzhen airport and 3) you are not allowed to travel on HSR without a visa.

The solution is that you 1) either book a night's hotel in Shenzhen as well as a ferry ticket and continue to HK by ferry after 24 hours of arrival (you can get the VOA at either Luohu crossing or Shekou ferry terminal when you are going back to Shenzhen for your flight), or 2) get a double-entry transit visa before arrival.

Oh I thought the website said that the 5 day VOA can be obtained from Shenzhen airport? from 5 ports including Luohu, Huanggang, Shenzhen airport, Shekou and Fuyong? Is that not the Shenzhen Bao’an airport?

I read that now the 144 hours Visa free transit is also now available in Shenzhen Bao airport, are we able to get it?

You should forget about Shenzhen VOA when you arrive by plane. Even if it would be possible to obtain one, there will be no airport staff in foreign countries that will allow you to board the plane based on your statement that you will obtain a Shenzhen VOA when you arrive there.

As far as 144 hour visa free transit is concerned, there are rumors that Shenzhen airport does not allow 144 hour visa free transit if your next destination is Hong Kong and/or Macau, but in reality there is no mentioning of such a limitation when you read relevant sources like Timatic. I would say that the story of a Taiwanese based man that has spread on travel related websites is really not relevant for this option and I firmly hold the stance that 144 hour visa free transit is perfectly allowed when you use Shenzhen airport when you travel to Hong Kong and/or Macau.

For your transfer, that has to be at least 25 hours after your scheduled arrival in Shenzhen, your best option is a ferry from Shenzhen Shekou ferry terminal to Hong Kong. You should book your ferry ticket in advance through CKS - Chu Kong Passenger transport website and after a booking you will receive an e-confirmation. You will print out this e-confirmation and have it with you as a proof for your transit. Please, have in mind that you will really need to use exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.