Question

Asked by German from russia | Apr. 21, 2023 21:59

About:Visa on Arrival

VOA or transit visa ?

I'm Russian and I need to visit Shenzhen on May. I understand that usual way Russia->Shenzhen->Russia requires normal visa in advance. But If I come to Hong Kong (no need visa for Russians) then take a train to Lo Wu I'll have two options (5 day Shenzhen SEZ Visa) or 144hour transit visa (if I present a ticket to flight from Shenzhen to third country like Thailand). Am I right ? Or transit visa doesn't work in case of different was of travelling (train/walk -> flight)? In case of getting 5 day Shenzhen SEZ Visa in Lo Wu can I leave Shenzhen through int.Airport by flight to Thailand ?

Which option are cheaper and easy/relegable to get ?

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Answers (3)

Answered by Borut | Apr. 22, 2023 03:14

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Actually, you should be able to get a Shenzhen visa on arrival if you fly on a direct flight from Moscow to Shenzhen. Anyway, that flight is not allowed to have any additional landing within mainland China and also your departure flight from Shenzhen to Moscow is not allowed to have any additional landing within mainland China. So, do not confuse this visa on arrival with visa free transit. Those are two very different things. So, visitors from eligible countries and Russia is among them are allowed to book a return ticket from some country and enjoy Shenzhen visa on arrival for 5 days. This is fine, but you never know if the officials in the country where you will depart to Shenzhen from are aware of that and if they are willing to consult their colleagues in Shenzhen if they are not certain. So, you are allowed to do that, but this also depends on the knowledge of those in charge at the airport. Also, if you need just to reach Shenzhen, this would be probably the cheapest option in your case. I will explain your other questions in a separate answer in order not to make a confusion.

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Answered by Borut | Apr. 22, 2023 03:39

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I have one, probably the best solution in your case:

- Take a flight from Moscow to Shenzhen
- Take a ferry from Shenzhen to Hong Kong
- This option will make you a person in transit and you will become eligible for 144 hour visa free transit
- To be eligible for this option, you will have to book a ferry provided by CKS (Chu Kong Passenger Transport) from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Hong Kong.
- You will have to book this ferry on CKS website, print out the ticket and have it with you
- 144 hour visa free transit will allow you to stay within the entire Guangzhou province and not only within Shenzhen
- When you exit to Hong Kong, you can spend one night there
- Return to Luohu (Lo Wu) border crossing and apply for a Shenzhen VOA and take a flight from Shenzhen back to Russia
- Also, when you arrive in Shenzhen, if your next destination is Thailand, you are eligible for 144 hour visa free transit too because your itinerary would be:

Russia - Shenzhen - Thailand

Please, just think about these details.

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Answered by Borut | Apr. 22, 2023 03:42

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So, I have explained the possibility of your arrival directly to Shenzhen and departure from Shenzhen back to the same country where you have arrived from in the previous post.

Now, you can really fly to Hong Kong and indeed no visas are required for Russians and you can take a train to Luohu (Lo Wu) border crossing and there apply for a Shenzhen 5 days visa on arrival. This visa will allow you to enter Shenzhen, but Shenzhen only! After your stay in Shenzhen you are allowed to depart by plane from Shenzhen airport to any other country on a nonstop flight or to return overland back to Hong Kong by using any mean of transport or by taking any border crossing. In other words, you can even take a high speed train from Shenzhen to Hong Kong.

However, you are not right when you think that you can obtain 144 hour visa free transit. This option is valid only if you enter Shenzhen by air.

As I have previously explained and you have also asked this question, you can enter on Shenzhen visa in Shenzhen and depart from Shenzhen airport by direct (nonstop) flight from Shenzhen airport to Thailand.

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