Question

Asked by Stan from united kingdom | Jun. 20, 2023 04:21

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Two transit flights in China on the way to London

Hi, I will be travelling from Seoul, South Korea to London but on the way there I have two connecting flights in China. My journey is summarised as:

Seoul, South Korea -> Qingdao, China -> 2 hour stop -> Shanghai, China -> 2 hour stop -> UK, London

My total time in China will be less than 24 hours and I hold British Citizenship, but the Qingdao to Shanghai journey is considered a domestic flight, so will I need a VISA?

I am also aware that Qingdao has a 144 hour visa free policy but not sure if this allows for a domestic transit flight.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Answers (4)

Answered by Borut | Jun. 20, 2023 05:30

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Your situation is very simple. You are definitely eligible for 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. It is visible from your writing that you have properly understood the basics of 24 hour visa free transit. The only problem in your case are very short layovers in both Qingdao and Shanghai. Having just 2 hours in each Chinese airport is barely enough to accomplish necessary formalities, although this is doable with a bit of luck, especially if your luggage is tagged all the way from Seoul to London.

During check-in in Seoul you will declare that you will travel to London by making a transit in China using 24 hour visa free transit. They will check your flight tickets and you will be allowed to board the flight for Qingdao. Upon arrival in Qingdao you will have to go first to 24/144 hour visa free transit counter to get a temporary entry permit. The permit is free of charge and allows you to leave the transit area (airside) and to cross the immigration because you will use purely domestic flight between Qingdao and Shanghai.

When you are in the plane for Shanghai there are no many formalities left, but to cross the immigration and security upon landing in Shanghai and to be at the gate for London bound flight on time.

One more detail... Please, double check the detail about your luggage and also if your arriving and departing flights in Shanghai are to/from the same airport.

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Answered by Stan | Jun. 21, 2023 11:01

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Hi Borut, thank you very much for taking the time to provide a helpful response.

Yes, I believe my luggage is tagged all the way from Seoul to London but is there a way for me to double-check this? It is not specified on my ticket. And also yes the arriving and departing flights are both in Shanghai Pudong International Airport China.

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Answered by Borut | Jun. 21, 2023 14:09

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There is a way how to check it:

1. If you have bought your ticket as a single (through) ticket through one airline and its codeshare partners, it is almost certain that your luggage will be tagged all the way to the final destination
2. At the time of your check-in in Seoul, you will ask about this detail. You will be immediately informed about it. I just hope that this will be the case because it would put your mind at ease.

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Answered by Stan | Jun. 22, 2023 09:47

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Great, thank you once again for your helpful response.

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