ARCHIVED China TWOV / transit without visa master thread posts
Dec 31, 2012 | 12:51 pm
#166
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: JFK, LGA
Programs: AA EXP, Global Entry, TSA Pre-Check, AMEX Platinum, Priority Pass
Posts: 159
Nothing to be scared about. The Chinese Immigration officials are very up to speed about this. Just show proof of your onward travel within 48 (now 72) hours, and they will escort you to a central desk where an officer will check with the airline or something and stamp your visa. You will be past security before your bags come out. It's very perfunctory.
The only potential problem is with your airline not being aware of the exemption. Most of them are...Bring the print out and stand your ground and they will find someone internally who has a clue and clears you for travel/boarding. Have a good trip.
The only potential problem is with your airline not being aware of the exemption. Most of them are...Bring the print out and stand your ground and they will find someone internally who has a clue and clears you for travel/boarding. Have a good trip.
You're sure that me coming into Shanghai on one airline (Cathay Pacific) and leaving Shanghai on a different airline (American Airlines) isn't an issue? The woman on the phone at the New York Chinese consulate just now seemed to think this was a concern, but wasn't sure. Everything I've read is that it isn't a problem, but I don't want to take any chances!!!
Dec 31, 2012 | 12:53 pm
#167
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,808
Thank you so much. You're sure that me coming into Shanghai on one airline (Cathay Pacific) and leaving Shanghai on a different airline (American Airlines) isn't an issue? The woman on the phone at the New York Chinese consulate just now seemed to think this was a concern, but wasn't sure. Everything I've read is that it isn't a problem, but I don't want to take any chances!!!
You're sure that me coming into Shanghai on one airline (Cathay Pacific) and leaving Shanghai on a different airline (American Airlines) isn't an issue? The woman on the phone at the New York Chinese consulate just now seemed to think this was a concern, but wasn't sure. Everything I've read is that it isn't a problem, but I don't want to take any chances!!!
Dec 31, 2012 | 12:59 pm
#168
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: JFK, LGA
Programs: AA EXP, Global Entry, TSA Pre-Check, AMEX Platinum, Priority Pass
Posts: 159
Okay great, that makes me feel a lot more comfortable, especially since you did it yourself on two different airlines. What printout did you have of your onward ticket, just the itinerary or did you actually print the invoice like all the reading I've done advised I do? (I guess the AA EXP desk can e-mail me a copy of this "invoice"?) And leaving the country is no problem either, no hangups there?
Dec 31, 2012 | 1:15 pm
#169
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 126
Also apply to cruise passengers?
I'll be on a cruise with Shanghai as final destination. I would like to stay in Shanghai for 48 hours, then fly internationally from PVG.
Would any one have any experience as to whether this new arrangement also apply to cruise passengers?
Thanks in advance.
Would any one have any experience as to whether this new arrangement also apply to cruise passengers?
Thanks in advance.
Dec 31, 2012 | 1:17 pm
#170
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,808
Okay great, that makes me feel a lot more comfortable, especially since you did it yourself on two different airlines. What printout did you have of your onward ticket, just the itinerary or did you actually print the invoice like all the reading I've done advised I do? (I guess the AA EXP desk can e-mail me a copy of this "invoice"?) And leaving the country is no problem either, no hangups there?
As for the cruise question, I think you may have to leave from the airport, but I defer to others on that one.
Dec 31, 2012 | 1:39 pm
#171
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Air passengers on international transit only. Unequivocable. You need a visa.
Dec 31, 2012 | 1:49 pm
#172
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,684
Okay great, that makes me feel a lot more comfortable, especially since you did it yourself on two different airlines. What printout did you have of your onward ticket, just the itinerary or did you actually print the invoice like all the reading I've done advised I do? (I guess the AA EXP desk can e-mail me a copy of this "invoice"?) And leaving the country is no problem either, no hangups there?
Oh, arrived on UA, departed TG and vv.
EmailKid
May 29, 2013 | 1:53 am
#173
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HNL
Programs: 1MM
Posts: 1,583
I'm on a UA award HNL-AKL-WLG-SYD-BKK-SIN-PVG-NRT-HNL. I have a 3 hour and 40 minute layover in PVG. Since I'm not leaving the airport I'm assuming I don't need a transit visa.
However, if my connecting flight to NRT gets cancelled for whatever reason and I need to overnight in Shanghai, I should be OK for 72 hours without a visa right?
However, if my connecting flight to NRT gets cancelled for whatever reason and I need to overnight in Shanghai, I should be OK for 72 hours without a visa right?
May 29, 2013 | 2:09 am
#174
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SIN / CNX / SFO
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,253
You don't mention your citizenship, but I'm going to assume US since you're based in HNL. If this is the case, the bolded segments are fine for 72 hour TWOV at PVG. If not a US citizen, double-check that your nationality is eligible for 72 hour TWOV. Almost all nationalities are eligible for at least the standard 24 hours.
May 29, 2013 | 3:32 pm
#175
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HNL
Programs: 1MM
Posts: 1,583
You don't mention your citizenship, but I'm going to assume US since you're based in HNL. If this is the case, the bolded segments are fine for 72 hour TWOV at PVG. If not a US citizen, double-check that your nationality is eligible for 72 hour TWOV. Almost all nationalities are eligible for at least the standard 24 hours.
May 30, 2013 | 10:57 pm
#176
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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You don't mention your citizenship, but I'm going to assume US since you're based in HNL. If this is the case, the bolded segments are fine for 72 hour TWOV at PVG. If not a US citizen, double-check that your nationality is eligible for 72 hour TWOV. Almost all nationalities are eligible for at least the standard 24 hours.
Jun 8, 2013 | 12:17 pm
#177
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hilton, Marriott Rewards,SPG
Posts: 1,134
Here's a question. How about transiting through HKG. I wanted to spend 3 days in Shanghai without spending the $$ for a visa. Is JFK-HKG-PVG-HKG-JFK valid for visa free travel? I know HKG is a "special administrative zone" and doesnt require a visa. But does it count as a "3rd country" for inclusion in the 72hr rule?
Jun 8, 2013 | 1:23 pm
#178
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Here's a question. How about transiting through HKG. I wanted to spend 3 days in Shanghai without spending the $$ for a visa. Is JFK-HKG-PVG-HKG-JFK valid for visa free travel? I know HKG is a "special administrative zone" and doesnt require a visa. But does it count as a "3rd country" for inclusion in the 72hr rule?
HKG-PVG-HKG not a "3rd" country, you are going
back to the same country you came from.
Jun 8, 2013 | 1:51 pm
#179
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hilton, Marriott Rewards,SPG
Posts: 1,134
Jun 8, 2013 | 3:21 pm
#180
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,684
Or KIX 
Don't know all connections from there, but you could go on UA with a change of plane in SFO.
UA was kind enough to cancel my PVG-SFO, and only when I called did they re-route me via KIX after the first two agents I called insisted that the flight was still on
EmailKid
Don't know all connections from there, but you could go on UA with a change of plane in SFO.
UA was kind enough to cancel my PVG-SFO, and only when I called did they re-route me via KIX after the first two agents I called insisted that the flight was still on
EmailKid