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Asked by Patrick from united states | Apr. 09, 2026 06:47

About:240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

I am on back to back cruises out of Shanghai

My Itinerary is USA To Shanghai , stay 2 days in Shanghai , transfer to Cruise Port , 8 day cruise to Korea and Japan ,return to Shanghai , stay on ship after Customs for second cruise to Japan , return 5 days later disembark and proceed to airport same day back to USA .

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Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Apr. 09, 2026 22:55

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The main issue in your itinerary is the segment:

Japan - Shanghai - Japan

As you can see, this segment cannot be considered as transit because both of the immediate points, before and after mainland China are located in the same country - Japan. Consequently, you will have to obtain a visa in advance.

In the case that your first cruise that departs from Shanghai has the last port of call before the return in Shanghai in South Korea, then your entire itinerary would be eligible for 24/240 hour visa free transit. Just to simplify, if this is the case:

US - China - South Korea - Japan - China - Japan - China - US

This itinerary is not eligible, but if this is the case:

US - China - Japan - South Korea - China - Japan - China - US

Then your entire itinerary is eligible for 24/240 hour visa free transit. I hope this helps.

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