Ask Questions
Question
Asked by Mia from usa | Jul. 01, 2025 19:12
About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Visa-Free Transit

Hello! I'm from the US and will fly into Shanghai around 12:45 pm from Seoul, and then will be leaving on a cruise out of Shanghai/Baoshan the next day that will head to Japan. Would I be eligible to apply for the 24 hour visa-free transit, even if my cruise won't "officially" depart until 4:30 pm the next day? I would be boarding the cruise at about 11:30 am, but I'm worried the time might be an issue with port security. Would it be better to apply for the 240-hour visa-free transit instead?

I appreciate your help! Thank you! :)

Reply
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Jul. 02, 2025 03:39
1 0 Reply
Mia, there is no problem about it at all. The main detail here is that you will rely on 240 and not 24 hour visa free transit because your total transit time in Shanghai will be longer than 24 hours. You should not worry because US citizens are eligible for 240 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. When we talk about visa free transit schemes it is important to understand that only the scheduled (as you say, official) arrival/departure times are taken into consideration and not those actual (real). So, it is perfectly fine that you arrive from Seoul in Shanghai at 12:45 (12:45 pm) and depart by cruise at 16:30 (4:30 om) the next day. The only thing that changes in this case is the formality because it will not be 24, but 240 hour visa free transit. You are advised to have your cruise documents readily available and at hand because you will be asked to present them in both Seoul and in Shanghai upon your arrival there. When you land in Shanghai you will (in this order): perform fingerprinting and passport scanning at self-used kiosks and will take a receipt with you, then you will fill out arrival card, after that look for 24/240 hour visa free transit counter where you will present your flight and cruise tickets. You will get a temporary entry permit and will proceed to the immigration. There you will present your passport with a permit inside and with a receipt from fingerprinting. When you have cleared the immigration you will proceed to collect your luggage and then outside the terminal building to transfer to the hotel. After that you can enjoy the sightseeing on your own and tomorrow, just slowly toward the cruise port. I wish your entire journey to be a pleasant one.
1 0 Reply

Related Questions:

Questions
Ask a Question
Categories:
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
Name
Country
Email