You can leave the airport.

MU's transit policies change like wind, but are trending in the friendly direction.

Thanks, moondog.

I'm trying to decide whether to book a ticket with ~3hr connection time or ~18 hr connection time, overnight. I'd prefer the second for a number of reasons. If we can leave the airport and get a hotel (without getting a transit visa), that's great ^

Go for the longer connection, and try to enjoy a bit of Shanghai.

CANNOT leave the airport without geting a transit visa :-: Well, unless you have a China visa that is.

But the transit visa is no big deal for those holding western passports and it's free ^ Not sure what particular flavor of "non-preferred" you are, but the list of those allowed transit visa is fairly long.

EmailKid

First bold (by me): Please, do not use the term "transit visa" as it is incorrect, confusing, and misleading. China, at airports for international connections, is giving a "Transit Without Visa" which is legally completely different and has different restrictions and implications for the traveler. Always use the correct terminology to avoid misunderstandings on the forum. The TWOV is a limited-use entry stamp only, not a visa.

A Chinese "G" transit visa is a REAL visa and in most cases, must be obtained in advance, same as a tourist, business or other category of visa.

Second bold (by me): There is no "list" for regular Transit Without Visa. ALL nationalities are allowed 24 hours to make an international connection and at all Chinese intl airports. The "list" is for nationalities who are allowed extended 48 hours' TWOV at SHA/PVG. Another important distinction. People often get confused that only passport holders on the "list" are allowed TWOV at all, and that is not the case.

My apology, I was under the impression that the stamp was a form of a visa. Of course on rereading your post (no less than three times), it does say Transit WithOut Visa (bolding mine). As it does in other posts as well

Add me to the list of confused people

Thanks for setting me (and the record) straight ^

EmailKid

Hi Jiejie,

That's good to know. Aside from the time period (in Shanghai), is there any other difference in rules between TWOV for preferred and non-preferred? e.g. leaving the airport/staying in a hotel. I wouldn't want to spend the night in PVG airport.

This is actually for my travel partner on a Romanian passport. I have an US passport for which the rules are, it seems, better known (at least on the internet). Just curious if aside from the different time period (48 v 24), the other restrictions are the same.

Thanks.

No worries, E-Kid. That's what we're all here on the forum for, to get and to give enlightenment. And on this Chinese visa or visa-free stuff, make sure we're all speaking the same language by using consistent terminology, as close to the English translation as the Chinese state in their regulations.

Except for the time limit, the other restrictions are the same. Both of you could leave the airport. Obviously if you're travelling together, the most restrictive time limit (in this case, 24 hours) will govern.

In the fall of 2011, China did add a bunch of Eastern European countries to the Favored List allowed 48 hours TWOV at PVG/SHA. However, as I recall, Romanians unfortunately were not included.

Hi experts here

I want to ask whether both inbound to PVG, and outbound from PVG have to be on the same ticket/PNR to count as official transfer... or 2 one-way ticket counts too?

e.g. I can redeem Aeroplan for SIN-PVG(8 hrs stopover)-TPE <-- which should be okay for 48 hours
but if I have 2 separate tickets, SIN-PVG, and stay a day or 2, then PVG-TPE..would that count as transfer for the 48 hours?

I'm Canadian passport so should get 48 hours

Thanks

You have nothing to worry about. Safe travels.

Did similiar on CDN passport earlier this year.

Paid SFO-PVG, 47 hour 30 minute layover, reward PVG-BKK.

Had with me copy of itin and receipt for next flight and my prepaid hotel reservation in Shanghai. It's my understanding they like to see both of those.

EmailKid

Might be less confusing if the original terminilogy was " Transit -Visa Waiver"
US came up with TWOV in 1952 and suspended the Special In-Transit Programs TWOV and ITI in 2003.

I presume this could have been a mess if a schedule change had made the layover go to 48 hours and one minute.

No, not a mess at all. If a schedule change after one has started traveling, or unforeseen circumstance (weather or mechanical issue, etc.) beyond the transit passenger's control causes the traveler to go over the 24- (or 48-) hour limit, the Chinese are reasonable about this, display a bit of common sense, and just extend the gratis period as needed to allow the circumstance to get resolved. Usually no extra or special paperwork is involved. Immigration is perfectly able to find out/corroborate airline schedule and aircraft issues, also airport-wide delays.