2 adults traveling from uk to japan through shenzhen with 13h19h layover-leaving

Question

My partner and I have a 19h one way and a 13h the other way layover in Shenzhen on the way to japan. We are both British citizens and I also have an American passport. I’m quite confused about the concept of 24/72/144h visa-free. One place told me 144, another told me 24 and another told me not at all! Whichever it is (unless it’s the not at all), considering it is visa-free, do we just show up with the up to date passports and tickets and nothing else, or do we have to apply somehow? Something online was talking about needing paperwork from our Chinese embassy? And, how does it work with leaving the airport to say, get some street food? Finally, with the covid tests, now that they’ve reduced it to just antigen tests, what proof do we need? If we do the basic antigen tests at home(not the ones that come with paperwork) and can check a box saying they were negative, is that enough? Or do we need ones with actual paperwork?

Borut · Answer

It is simpler than it appears at the first look. If you have mentioned your entire itinerary and Shenzhen is your only stop in mainland China en route from UK to Japan and your entire transit times are 13 and 19 hours, you are then covered by 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. The reason why will you be covered by 24 hour visa free transit is in the fact that your entire transit time will not exceed 24 hours. If that was the case, you would be eligible for 144 hour visa free transit. You do not need any announcement, you do not need any forms in this regard. You need just your flight tickets and your passports. When you arrive in Shenzhen, you will approach 24/144 hour visa free transit desk whether you will apply, for free, for temporary entry permit to be allowed to exit the airport. Now, you have to understand that when you fly using 24 hour visa free transit, you have right to travel visa free, but the exit from the airport is under the sole discretion of the immigration authorities on a day. So, you may be granted a permit to exit or not. Please, have this detail in mind.However, those in longer transit are usually allowed to exit especially if their transit time is during the night to have an overnight in the hotel. In any case, I would say that your chances to be allowed to exit from the airport are really very good. You are advised to have an overnight booking for your longer layover. In this case, you will be almost certainly allowed to exit the airport.As far COVID test is concerned, you should do a home DIY test and have a photo of it. Also, you will just fill the Chinese Health Declaration Form. Basically, this is it.

Alice Nolen-Walston · Answer

Thanks so much!Is there a travel restriction in terms of how far we can go once we leave the airport?

Borut · Answer

No, there is no restriction of that kind at all.

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2 Adults traveling from UK to Japan through Shenzhen with 13h and 19h layover-leaving airport??