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Question: Asked by Abby from united kingdom | Jul. 03, 2025 15:06

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Travelling from UK to Tokyo with Shanghai switch both ways

Hi there,

We are travelling from the UK and stopping over to Shanghai for a change to Tokyo - we will be there for not even 2 hours, however we are doing this on the way back too - so from Osaka to Shanghai (2 hours again) around 2 weeks later then again from Shanghai back to the UK.

Is this going to be an issue? We have two children aged 6 + 9 in tow so need to be prepared!

Thanks.

Reply

Answers (3): Answered by Borut | Jul. 03, 2025 23:49

0 0 Reply

There are no issues at all. In both of your landings in Shanghai you will be covered by 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. The reality is that you do not need to perform any formality nor to fill out any form. You will just walk from your arrival gate to your departure gate. Between the two gates you will just encounter a security check. Also, you will not be a subject to immigration or customs inspections. Indeed it is so simple and so straightforward. It is important to understand that there is no limit on the number of times you can use visa free transit in China. If you want, you can travel like this literally ever day without any issues. All in all, have a nice journey.

0 0 Reply; Answered by Abby | Jul. 04, 2025 23:38

0 0 Reply

Thank you so much!

Just one more question, my Husband will have 5 months left on his passport (March 2026 in October) - I know in Japan this isn't an issue, however I keep seeing 3 months and 6 months. The rest of us have new ones.

0 0 Reply; Answered by Borut | Jul. 07, 2025 14:48

4 0 Reply

No issues at all. He can proceede because he will be just in a transit.

4 0 Reply

Travelling from UK to Tokyo with Shanghai switch both ways