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Asked by Steven C from United Kingdom | Nov. 21, 2024 08:41
About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

UK to Hong Kong (via Beijing and Shenzhen)

Hi, I am travelling soon flying with Hainan airlines from Manchester UK, to Shenzhen China (via Beijing). I land into Beijing and fly out from Beijing to Shenzhen 3 hours later, all flights are with Hainan airlines.

I've just found out today via the airline that when I land in Beijing I have to collect my checked in luggage and go through customs and immigration in Beijing. I was not expecting this when I booked the ticket, I assumed I would pick my luggage up in Shenzhen and clear immigration there.

After arriving in Shenzhen I planned to go to Hong Kong but not until 2 days later.

Since I now clear immigration in Beijing I don't think I can exit china from Shenzhen 2 days after landing with a 144hour TWOV?

What options do I have with my itinerary please.

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Answers (3)
Answered by Steven C | Nov. 21, 2024 14:36
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I should add, I will be traveling on British passports.

I also planned to exit Shenzhen to Hong Kong via cross border bus
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Answered by Borut | Nov. 22, 2024 00:52
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Based on your entire situation, the only option is to rely on 24 hour visa free transit. In other words, when you have more than one stop within mainland China, regardless of the nature of those stops, you can only travel on 24 hour visa free transit. Even if your checked-in luggage has been tagged all the way to Shenzhen, the situation would have been the same because you would have had cleared the immigration at the first stop in mainland China and that is Beijing in your case. Use of 144 hour visa free transit is only allowed when you have just one stop in mainland China.

So, if you do not plan to obtain a Chinese visa, you will just buy a train ticket from Shenzhen to Hong Kong, but you should be careful that your departure from Shenzhen cannot be later than 24 hours after your scheduled arrival in Beijing! You will easily buy your Shenzhen to Hong Kong train ticket online. When you buy one, you will print it out and have it at hand because it will be a proof of your real 24 hour visa free transit intention.

Please, have in mind that you will really have to take exactly that train from Shenzhen that you have bought your ticket for.

Just to explain one additional detail. The first thing you will do upon your landing in Beijing will be to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit in order to be allowed to exit the airport. Here you will present your flight and train tickets. Shortly after, your permit will be granted and you will head to the immigration, then to collect your luggage and to catch your flight to Shenzhen. You do not have any specific formality to accomplish in Shenzhen, but to collect your luggage and to head to the train station to catch your train to Hong Kong.
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Answered by Steven C | Nov. 22, 2024 03:43
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Thank you.

Can I catch any train from Shenzhen to Hong Kong with a pre-booked seat?

I didn't think I was able to exit Shenzhen to Hong Kong as none of the train stations were approved exit points to Hong Kong when using a TWOV?

Can you advise where to book the train seats and from which stations please?
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