144 Hour Transit without visa (TWOV) Program - Shanghai China
11 replies
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on 144 Hour Transit without visa (TWOV) Program - Shanghai China
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on 144 Hour Transit without visa (TWOV) Program - Shanghai China
Yang
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.
MRYJDrake
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
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
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
ratrace
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Apr 2018
Total posts 50
I wouldn’t risk it!
Ourmanin
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!
moa999
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).
Chris C.
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
Yang
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Oct 2016
Total posts 6
Thanks guys for the very detailed responses.
Yang
Yang
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Oct 2016
Total posts 6
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.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
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
jch
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Nov 2017
Total posts 143
Let us know how it went! :)