ARCHIVED China TWOV / transit without visa master thread posts
May 4, 2012 | 10:31 pm
#76
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,555
hmm, i did say "Visa wouldnt be an issue" in my original post.
The title of this thread is also "Shanghai/pvg transit without visa".
I dont need a visa so ...
The title of this thread is also "Shanghai/pvg transit without visa".
I dont need a visa so ...
Agree with rkkwan. HawaiiO, you have succeeding in derailing this thread from the topic. Not cool to suddenly spring the "My passport doesn't need a visa..." after multiple postings saying nothing about this rather critical fact. 
If it was a timing issue you were worried about due to your flights, that belongs in another thread, which you could have originated. Additionally, you continued to obfuscate on your exact routing/scheduling which wasted more time and effort of myself and others.
If you do not see fit to be upfront and honest with your questions, then I for one will be less inclined to respond at all to your future posts. None of us like to be played for suckers and have our time wasted.
If it was a timing issue you were worried about due to your flights, that belongs in another thread, which you could have originated. Additionally, you continued to obfuscate on your exact routing/scheduling which wasted more time and effort of myself and others.
If you do not see fit to be upfront and honest with your questions, then I for one will be less inclined to respond at all to your future posts. None of us like to be played for suckers and have our time wasted.
May 4, 2012 | 11:13 pm
#77
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,420
In any event, since you are not transiting in Shanghai (rather returning to the place you just left), I'm not sure whether you'll be able to avail of the new transit facility (i.e. you might be required to enter and exit China).
May 7, 2012 | 12:42 pm
#78
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
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And there are indications that PVG is going to allow direct airside transit as an option for intl-intl connecting passengers, which would imply that autochecking bags through will be a possibility, and helpful for those on short layover TWOV's rather than true stopover TWOV's.
US passport holder
Arriving on OZ from ICN
Departing on NZ to AKL
3-4h layover
Related: Does the Shanghai Airlines 77 lounge (for *A) require a lounge invitation (in which case I'll have to go out to the NZ checkin desk anyway) or will a qualifying boarding pass suffice?
May 7, 2012 | 1:11 pm
#79
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
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Posts: 7,811
When I was there 2x about a month ago, there were transit counters in place, but they were not open/staffed either time...so, I had to go thru customs and then check back in, which was no big deal...the air-side transit seemed like a work in process. Not sure if they have opened it up yet.
Someone else will have to answer the lounge question, because the whole air-side transit thing is new at PVG.
Someone else will have to answer the lounge question, because the whole air-side transit thing is new at PVG.
May 12, 2012 | 6:08 pm
#80
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,507
Just went through the PVG transit nightmare again a couple days ago. It's a confusing, unfriendly, and downright stupid set of procedures. You still have to get you're luggage and go through customs. Then you go upstairs, wait in line for your ticket, go through security a couple times more, and then they'll go through your carry-on on the gangway. Total time - 80 mins. Lounge - who knows ! I barely made my flight to SFO. wj
May 12, 2012 | 7:23 pm
#81
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,420
Just went through the PVG transit nightmare again a couple days ago. It's a confusing, unfriendly, and downright stupid set of procedures. You still have to get you're luggage and go through customs. Then you go upstairs, wait in line for your ticket, go through security a couple times more, and then they'll go through your carry-on on the gangway. Total time - 80 mins. Lounge - who knows ! I barely made my flight to SFO. wj
May 12, 2012 | 8:15 pm
#82
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,507
Yeah, PEK might be worse. Thanks for the info - I thought it was a China thing. I didn't think I could hold United in lower esteem, but I find I actually can. wj
May 12, 2012 | 9:59 pm
#83
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salt Lake City, Los Angeles
Posts: 480
PEK has airside transit. It's fairly similar to other international airports, although there is an immigration desk and security check again.
But no need to recheck luggage.
But no need to recheck luggage.
May 13, 2012 | 10:27 pm
#84
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
It is true that PEK allows international transit passenger luggage, if tagged through to final destination, to be auto-routed without requiring pickup and recheck by the transit passenger. This is currently not the case at all Chinese airports however.
Jun 14, 2012 | 10:40 pm
#85
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 480
Hi,
Following the demise of BD I've been burning miles on Star like crazy, and I'm due to do ADL-SIN-PVG-KIX in a couple of weeks.
I've just seen the list of 'Transit without visa' countries:
Ummm... pretty comprehensive. Except... no mention of the UK.
I've just phoned up SQ to check - and they told me 24 hours. Air China says 48 hours. The Chinese Embasy didn't seem to understand the question, and then just read out the list of coutries, which excludes the UK.
So - has anyone gone through on a UK passport, and can they confirm the duration?
Following the demise of BD I've been burning miles on Star like crazy, and I'm due to do ADL-SIN-PVG-KIX in a couple of weeks.
I've just seen the list of 'Transit without visa' countries:
Code:
Visas are not required of passport holders of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours : <B>Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland</B>.
I've just phoned up SQ to check - and they told me 24 hours. Air China says 48 hours. The Chinese Embasy didn't seem to understand the question, and then just read out the list of coutries, which excludes the UK.
So - has anyone gone through on a UK passport, and can they confirm the duration?
Jun 14, 2012 | 11:05 pm
#86
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,420
I'm pretty sure we talked about the UK before in this thread and the general consensus was, "no soup for you". I'm pretty sure you still get your 24 hours though.
Hi,
Following the demise of BD I've been burning miles on Star like crazy, and I'm due to do ADL-SIN-PVG-KIX in a couple of weeks.
I've just seen the list of 'Transit without visa' countries:
Ummm... pretty comprehensive. Except... no mention of the UK.
I've just phoned up SQ to check - and they told me 24 hours. Air China says 48 hours. The Chinese Embasy didn't seem to understand the question, and then just read out the list of coutries, which excludes the UK.
So - has anyone gone through on a UK passport, and can they confirm the duration?
Following the demise of BD I've been burning miles on Star like crazy, and I'm due to do ADL-SIN-PVG-KIX in a couple of weeks.
I've just seen the list of 'Transit without visa' countries:
Code:
Visas are not required of passport holders of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours : <B>Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland</B>.
I've just phoned up SQ to check - and they told me 24 hours. Air China says 48 hours. The Chinese Embasy didn't seem to understand the question, and then just read out the list of coutries, which excludes the UK.
So - has anyone gone through on a UK passport, and can they confirm the duration?
Jun 15, 2012 | 7:51 am
#87
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I can confirm you can have the basic allowance of 24 hours for visa-less international transit, as can all nationalities. I can also confirm you cannot have 48 hours for transit, since UK passport holders are not on the "List of Favourites" at PVG/SHA.
Jun 15, 2012 | 2:43 pm
#88
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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Posts: 14,685
Jun 15, 2012 | 9:49 pm
#89
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,420
The UK's (or whatever it was called back then) annexation of HK was merely a bi-product of the preceding "century of humiliation" (i.e. Opium Wars and the events leading up to them). For the most part, China has put this matter behind it. However, in recent years, there have been several other diplomatic rifts between China and the UK. I honestly have no idea whether or not there is a connection between these matters and the UK's omission from the Shanghai exception list.
Jun 30, 2012 | 4:42 am
#90
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Finnair Plat, Bonvoy Titanium, National EE
Posts: 122
I have a question; for "non-preferred" nationalities transitting in PVG, does the 24 hour rule mean:
1) You have to stay in the airport (so, e.g. you can't check into a hotel since you're not allowed to leave the airport premises)
2) You can go downtown and get a hotel for the night.
Is it 1 or 2?
Curious, because TIMATIC on Delta's website seems to indicate 2 while the Chinese official page I found seems to indicate 1, but in both cases the wording is too vague to rely on.
Also, for a 3h10' transfer on one ticket on MU in PVG... would we have to check-in again? I can pick up my checked-in luggage, that's not a problem, but I'd rather have a thru boarding pass if possible. Does anyone know?
Thanks in advance. ^
1) You have to stay in the airport (so, e.g. you can't check into a hotel since you're not allowed to leave the airport premises)
2) You can go downtown and get a hotel for the night.
Is it 1 or 2?
Curious, because TIMATIC on Delta's website seems to indicate 2 while the Chinese official page I found seems to indicate 1, but in both cases the wording is too vague to rely on.
Also, for a 3h10' transfer on one ticket on MU in PVG... would we have to check-in again? I can pick up my checked-in luggage, that's not a problem, but I'd rather have a thru boarding pass if possible. Does anyone know?
Thanks in advance. ^