Originally Posted by parnel
You do need a visa for China even if transiting.
I transited Pu Dong twice last week. No visa, just confirmed onward tickets, and with absolutely no proof of onward travel in one instance due to a last-minute flight change. I just explained my situation to the supervisor on duty and was stamped into the country without incident.
However, I really can't recommend transiting PVG unless you are flying MU. between the baggage re-claim procedures and the long lines at exit immigration, it's a real pain in the *ss. MU customers get more streamlined transfer service.
The following is the Timatic output regarding Canadian citizens transiting China:
Code:
VISA TRANSIT CHINA (PEOPLE'S REP.) (CN)
...... NORMAL PASSPORTS ONLY ......
VISA NOT REQUIRED IF:
- CONTINUING WITHIN 24 HOURS TO A THIRD COUNTRY BY
SAME/FIRST CONNECTING AIRCRAFT; AND
- HOLDING CONFIRMED TICKET; AND
- HOLDING DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ONWARD JOURNEY.
LEAVING THE AIRPORT TRANSIT AREA IS ALLOWED.
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT.
IF STAYING MORE THAN 24 HOURS A TRANSIT VISA CAN BE ISSUED
UPON ARRIVAL AT DALIAN AIRPORT FOR STAY OF MAX. 7 DAYS.
FEE: IF HOLDING PHOTO USD 11.-;
IF NOT HOLDING PHOTO USD 14.-.
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO OBTAIN VISA PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.
HOWEVER, AND ONLY APPLICABLE IF ARRIVING AT AND DEPARTING FROM
SHANGHAI HONGQIAO OR PU DONG AIRPORTS:
VISA NOT REQUIRED IF CONTINUING TO A THIRD COUNTRY WIHTIN 48
HOURS AND HOLDING:
- CONFIRMED ONWARD TICKET; AND
- ALL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NEXT DESTINATION.
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ENTRY REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN
DEPORTATION OF PASSENGER BY SAME OR RETURNING AIRCRAFT.
FINES FOR THE TRANSPORTING CARRIER VARYING BETWEEN CNY 500.-
AND CNY 2,000.- WILL BE LEVIED FOR EACH PASSENGER WITH AN
ADDITIONAL FINE VARYING BETWEEN CNY 5,000.- AND CNY 10,000.-.