Do I need a visa to enter to and from Hong Kong for less than 144 hours?

Part 1:

Lowe, I have to admit that I did not properly understand your query because you are mentioning Shenzhen and Hong Kong without clearly defining the third destination.

My understanding of your query is that you want to travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen and then back to Hong Kong. If I am correct, then your best option is to apply for a 5 day Shenzhen VOA on arrival at Lo Wu / Luohu border crossing. You should arrive at the border crossing at about 08:00 - 08:30 in order to be among the first when Luohu visa office opens at 09:00. All you need to take with you is your passport. There you will fill out the form and all the formalities will be done there along with 130 CNY fee payment by card payment. When your visa is granted, you can stay in Shenzhen for up to 5 days and then you can travel to Hong Kong by any border crossing and by taking any mean of transport, high speed train included.

If you plan to fly to Shenzhen from, for example, some European country on the nonstop flight from Europe to Shenzhen and after that plan to travel to Hong Kong, you can do that under 144 hour visa free transit. Here you should just have in mind that you will have to buy your train ticket for Hong Kong in advance, even before you depart from Europe as a proof that you will be really in a transit. Also, please, keep in mind to print out your train ticket confirmation and have it at hand to present it in both Europe and Shenzhen.

Hi Borut
I am flying to Shenzhen from the U.K on a nonstop flight to Shenzhen and then going to Hong Kong airport to fly back to the U.K Total expected time in China is 124 hours based on landing and take off times. So you mention buying the departure ticket to Hong Kong before leaving the U.K where can I buy this please. Can I get the 144 hour visit at Shenzhen Airport or does this also have to be brought in advance too? Thanks for your help in advance

Ian, your intention is definitely eligible for 144 hour visa free transit and you can proceed with your travel plans with absolute peace of mind.

It is also true that you will have to buy your train ticket from Shenzhen to Hong Kong in advance because this will be a proof that you will be really in a transit. After you have bought your train ticket from Shenzhen or Guangzhou to Hong Kong West Kowloon you will print it out and have that printout with you as a proof that you will really in a transit. You will be asked to present that ticket confirmation in both UK and in Shenzhen upon your landing.

You can buy your train ticket exactly on this website by using your card or on several other websites and the price is very affordable. Have a nice journey.