Question

Asked by Adee from canada | Jul. 22, 2026 06:31

About:24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Visa requirement for self-transfer at PVG Airport

My wife (Iranian passport) and 9-year old son (Indian passport) will be traveling from Calgary to PVG (with Air Canada), and from PVG to Tehran (with Mahan Air) from the same terminal after a layover of 8 hours. They have Canadian PR cards. Since they have to collect the luggage at PVG and self-transfer, what kind of visa should they apply for once they arrive at PVG? A detailed response is truly appreciated! Thank you.

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Answers (1)

Answered by Borut | Jul. 23, 2026 09:01

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They are both eligible for 24 hour visa free transit and they do not need any kind of visa. Here is what they should do in the exact order:

- Before their flight they will print out their flight tickets (ticket confirmations). This is so much easier than handling the tickets over the mobile phone. They should have their flight tickets at hand in both Canada and in Shanghai.
- Also, before departure they will fill out their Chinese arrival cards online through China National Immigration administration website!
- At the moment of check-in in Canada they will present their flight tickets and declare that they are traveling to Tehran via China (Shanghai) under 24 hour visa free transit scheme.
- Upon landing in Shanghai the first thing they should do is to perform fingerprinting at automatic fingerprinting machine.
- After fingerprinting they will proceed to 24/240 hour visa free transit counter where they will apply for the temporary entry permit by presenting their flight tickets. This is free of any charge. After a short check they will be granted a temporary entry permit because they have to enter China formally because the flights are unrelated (not a single booking).
- After they have obtained a temporary entry permit they will proceed to the immigration.
- After immigration they will collect their luggage and proceed to check-in counters for their flight to tehran.
- After they have checked the luggage they will cross the security check (metal detector and the stuff), then exit immigration and finally head to the gate for their flight to Tehran.

As you can see, there is no visa involved at all. Simply speaking, they are eligible for 24 hour visa free transit through / via China. I wish them a pleasant flight and a smooth transfer in Shanghai.

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