sk8uno

I haven't been able to find a recent thread about this issue. If I fly to Shenzhen, do I need a Chinese visa if I am going straight from the Shenzhen airport to the HK ferry? I suspect I do, but I'm hopeful there is an exception if you are not leaving transit centers.

alextktan

Yes, if you are entering SZ, then you need a Chinese visa. My question is why this routing?

sk8uno

It is potentially far cheaper to fly to Shenzhen than HK at times. So this way, I could fly LA-Shenzhen and then just head to HK, saving some money in the process.

And I'm aware that you need a visa to go into SZ from HK, but I couldn't recall if you need to go through immigration at the SZ airport when transferring to the HK ferry.

rkkwan

First, there is no longer ferry service between SZX and Hong Kong. Just take direct coaches. And even when there were ferries, you still need a visa to go through Chinese immigration before taking the shuttle bus to the pier and then go through immigration aging in to exit China. No "airside" transfer and no visa-free transit.

moondog

I'm pretty sure TWOV would apply in this case; the OP would get a diamond shaped stamp at PVG, PEK, CAN, or even SZX itself if he ends up on one of the few international flights into SZX. But, he might need to book an onward airline ticket (e.g. PVG-MNL) in order to trick the system. But, frankly, I'd be surprised if e.g. LAX-PEK-SZX is cheaper then one of the dozens of LAX-HKG options (e.g. try the bucket shops in Korea Town). And, if the fare difference was less than $200, I'd go with the HKG option in a heartbeat.

sk8uno

Thank you all for the input.

rkkwan

Yes, transit-free visa applies if one has an onward international flight booked.

moondog

Yes, and there's nothing stopping him from doing this:

1) buy refundable airplane ticket to destination X
2) cancel ticket
3) exit China via bus at Shekou

Since almost nobody does this, there is snag potential, but I believe he would be compliant with TWOV.

rkkwan

Personally, I definitely won't chance this. TWOV is for onward international flights, not by surface transport out of China.

This is what's said on the Chinese Embassy in Washington website:

There won't be problem entering China. Leaving would be THE issue.

tentseller

Add the hassle of going from HK back to SZX to catch a flight?

jiejie

If you're not flying in and flying out, TWOV does not apply. Absolute and definite. Land and sea borders are not included. Even if you manage to do the book-and-cancel onward tickets strategy, then get the transit stamp in your passport on arrival at Shenzhen, you'll be caught out when you try to exit China at Shekou, LoWu, or wherever. You cannot get around passing a Chinese Exit Immigration desk. I would not want to hazard a guess as to what would happen at that point, but I strongly doubt they would give you a free pass through. Likely they'd send you back to the airport to fly out within 24 hours, or take the hardline and smack you with a big fine.

Do not do this. Either get a visa if you want to fly to Shenzhen and use a surface crossing to HK, or fly directly to HK and skip Shenzhen entirely.

I also do not believe that flying LAX-(XXX)-SZX is cheaper than LAX-HKG. Try harder on the latter, using different sources.

sk8uno

The price just depends on your mode of booking. It is possible save a lot of money flying to SZX instead of HKG. But, it is clear that it's not worth the hassle! Thanks everyone.

And JieJie, your China input is always valuable and worthwhile. Thanks again.

GinFizz

Not that I am suggesting the OP should do this, but there is, as far as I recall, also a helicopter service from Shenzhen airport to Macao .... That I guess should count for TWOV if for whatever reason all the alternatives are unworkable.

moondog

When you have a chance, please provide some examples of cases in which LAX-SZX is cheaper than LAX-HKG.

rkkwan

Sounds like it should. The fares are even more eye-popping than from Sheung Wan.