Question

Asked by Stu from uk | Jan. 20, 2026 09:01

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

(MAN-)LHR-PVG-NRT with 5hour layover UK Passport holder

Traveling on one BA ticket from MAN-PVG then onwards to NRT with ANA after a 5hour layover, returning NRT to PVG again with ANA, overnight stay at airport hotel then BA PVG-LHR

Have read up on the 24hour TWOV and also the new Digital e-filling service. Once in PVG on the outbound leg we're either staying in the airport or at most just taking a quick trip on the maglev and back, on the return we're just staying at the airport Holiday Inn which I assume counts as remaining at "the port"

As is usual with the internet you find yourself overwhelmed with helpful and conflicting information. On the outbound am I right that if I'm staying within the airport even if not on a through ticket with the same airline I can just get the TWOV? If this is the case am I able to use the Arrival Card e-filing service if I don't have a Chinese address? O the return I assume it's a far simpler answer in that I'm eligible for the TWOV and as I've an overnight Chinese address I can use the digital service?

If this is all garbage and I've spun myself into circles could somebody set me straight

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Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Jan. 20, 2026 17:52

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Stu, do I understand correctly when I think that you do not fly on a through ticket?

If I am correct, there is nothing to worry about, but you will have some minor administrative details to fulfill. So, they are:
- Upon your landing in Shanghai you will fill out arrival card that you will find at the airport. So far we still do not have relevant feedback, so I would still suggest you to use an old fashioned way. Here you will not present any Chinese address, but you will just write down - a short transit.
- Perform fingerprinting at automatic fingerprinting machine
- Approach 24/240 hour visa free transit where you will formally apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flight tickets since you have to leave the transit area because you are not traveling on a through ticket
- When you have received a temporary entry permit you will head to the immigration in order to collect your luggage and to perform new check-in and luggage drop-off.

You can use your time to exit the airport, but since we are talking about just 5 hours I would not recommend it. Stay at the airport and find some amusement until your flight departure to Tokyo.

You will do exactly the same for your journey back home. That means the above explained procedure to be repeated again regardless of the hotel being located at the airport. The most important detail is that you do not need a visa because you will be covered by 24 hour visa free transit. Have a nice journey.

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