144 Hour Transit without visa (TWOV) Program - Shanghai China

11 replies

Yang

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Oct 2016

Total posts 6

I will be flying from Sydney to Shanghai via HK at the end of this month. I will be in Shanghai for 4 days and flying directly from Shanghai to Sydney.


All flights were made under the same booking. The flight from Sydney to HK will be on Qantas. There will be a 3 hour layover in HK before boarding a Cathay Dragon flight to Shanghai. The flight from Shanghai back to Sydney will be on a Qantas flight (QF130).

My question is, based on this itinerary, am I eligible for the 144 Hour Transit without visa program upon arriving into Shanghai? My gut feel tells is yes as technically I will be flying from HK to Shanghai then onto a third destination being Australia within 144 hours. Just wanting to get some of your thoughts on this and whether anyone had expereience a similar itinirary. Thanks in advance

MRYJDrake

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

Member since 31 Oct 2016

Total posts 206

I'll source my information below because links take a while to show up, but here's what I can find:

*Transit Routes: In order to take advantage of any China transit visa (72-hour or 144-hour), your original place of departure and your final destination must be different countries/regions. In other words, you can’t book a round-trip ticket from the U.S. and use the 144-hour transit visa. If you’re coming to China from the U.S., your next destination must be another country. It’s worth noting that Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau count as a “different country/region” in this case.


A three hour layover in HK I don't think will exempt you around this rule. Especially when combined with:

At the Departure Airport: Before you get on a plane bound for China, you will want to let your airline know that you wish to take advantage of the 144-hour China transit visa. Airlines are required to check for proper visas prior to letting you on the plane, so this will be an important step. The Airline will pass on your request to customs before you land.



MRYJDrake

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

Member since 31 Oct 2016

Total posts 206

Source https://www.travelchinacheaper.com/144-hour-china-transit-visa-guide

jch

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 15 Nov 2017

Total posts 143

I think you would need to clear customs in HK during the three hours

ratrace

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2018

Total posts 50

I wouldn’t risk it!

Ourmanin

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

Member since 08 Jun 2018

Total posts 144

Others may be able to offer a more definitive view, but I would suggest that by not clearing immigration at HK you would not meet the requirements of the TWOV. Also when you check in at Sydney you should inform Qantas of your intention to use the TWOV on arrival in Shanghai (given thats your final destination on your ticket), its not impossible that this won't cause a problem as they may have issues in allowing you to board without you having the correct Visa. Personally in the situation as outlined, I think you are, at the very least, running a significant risk of running into problems at immigration in Shanghai. I suppose it ultimately depends on your level of acceptance of 'risk', but for me, if your trying to rely on loopholes for immigration purposes, the fact that you had to ask the question probably tells you the answer you need!

Last editedby Ourmanin at Aug 15, 2018, 03:31 PM.

moa999

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jul 2011

Total posts 835

Definitely fine in my experience (I've done a similar trip in the other direction - SYD-PVG, HGH-HKG-SYD with a 6-day stay in Shanghai region. HGH is Hangzhou airport).


As far as China is concerned you are travelling Hong Kong-Sydney with a 4-day Shanghai transit.

You just need to ensure that CX forwards your details as a TWOV passenger so the Chinese authorities will have your name on a list at arrival at the Transit queues (be prepared for a wait and have an e-ticket printout). Unsure if you can do this at the QF SYD desk so worth checking at the transfer desks in HKG.

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

You’re arriving from Hong Kong and departing for Australia. China only cares about the immediate arriving and departing flight.

Yang

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Oct 2016

Total posts 6

Thanks guys for the very detailed responses.

Yang

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Oct 2016

Total posts 6

You’re arriving from Hong Kong and departing for Australia. China only cares about the immediate arriving and departing flight.

In this case do i need to clear immigration in HK and advise them that I will be using the TWOV? Or do I just have to show the immigration in Shanghai my Cathay Dragon boarding pass to show that I arrived from HK? Thanks

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

You’re arriving from Hong Kong and departing for Australia. China only cares about the immediate arriving and departing flight.
In this case do i need to clear immigration in HK and advise them that I will be using the TWOV? Or do I just have to show the immigration in Shanghai my Cathay Dragon boarding pass to show that I arrived from HK? Thanks


You don't clear immigration in Hong Kong as a connecting passenger unless you want to enter the country or have baggage to retrieve and re-check (which you'd only need to do if it wasn't tagged through) - with an onward boarding pass you can go straight through transit security screening and up to the departures hall.

jch

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 15 Nov 2017

Total posts 143

Let us know how it went! :)

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