I have booked a round-trip flight for Miami > Shanghai (via Toronto) arriving Feb. 22 and departing Feb. 29. However, I only intend to stay in Shanghai for 24hrs because I have a separately booked round-trip ticket for Shanghai > Saipan departing Feb. 23 and returning to Shanghai Feb. 29, then continuing to Miami (with the first ticket). Can I use the 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit or do I need to apply for a 30-day tourist visa? Thank you!

This works only if you are connecting in Toronto in both directions. If you fly Saipan-Shanghai-Miami non-stop in either direction you will need a visa. It's 144 hours, not 72, and your passport must be from one of the 53 listed countries.

Thank you for your response. So to clarify, if I fly Miami>Toronto>Shanghai>Saipan and return Saipan>Shanghai>Toronto>Miami, I don’t need a visa? Even if I have separately booked tickets?

Correct. The important thing is that Saipan-China-USA non-stop would count as USA-China-USA and therefore not a transit to a third country. Hence the stops in Canada are vital. Separate tickets have always been ok for TWOV.

Miami > Shanghai > Saipan > Shanghai

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Question: Asked by Matt from United States of America | Jan. 26, 2020 23:30

About:72-Hour Visa-Free Transit FAQ

Miami > Shanghai > Saipan > Shanghai > Miami

I have booked a round-trip flight for Miami > Shanghai (via Toronto) arriving Feb. 22 and departing Feb. 29. However, I only intend to stay in Shanghai for 24hrs because I have a separately booked round-trip ticket for Shanghai > Saipan departing Feb. 23 and returning to Shanghai Feb. 29, then continuing to Miami (with the first ticket). Can I use the 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit or do I need to apply for a 30-day tourist visa? Thank you!

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Answers (3): Answered by Saul | Jan. 27, 2020 00:56

00Reply

This works only if you are connecting in Toronto in both directions. If you fly Saipan-Shanghai-Miami non-stop in either direction you will need a visa. It's 144 hours, not 72, and your passport must be from one of the 53 listed countries.

00Reply; Answered by Matt from USA | Jan. 28, 2020 12:16

00Reply

Thank you for your response. So to clarify, if I fly Miami>Toronto>Shanghai>Saipan and return Saipan>Shanghai>Toronto>Miami, I don’t need a visa? Even if I have separately booked tickets?

00Reply; Answered by Saul | Jan. 29, 2020 00:23

00Reply

Correct. The important thing is that Saipan-China-USA non-stop would count as USA-China-USA and therefore not a transit to a third country. Hence the stops in Canada are vital. Separate tickets have always been ok for TWOV.

00Reply

Miami > Shanghai > Saipan > Shanghai > Miami

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