transiting through shanghai to HK

Question

Hi, does anyone know if I can use the 144Hr visa for shanghai from South korea and then head onwards onto HK. I’ve heard conflicting answers from people. Some say yes and some say no as they say it’s not classed as a third country with it still being in China.

Id appreciate if anyone could help! Thank you.

Answer

The 144-hour visa-free transit (TWOV) policy in Shanghai allows certain nationals, including South Koreans, to stay in the Shanghai area for up to 144 hours without a traditional Chinese visa, provided specific conditions are met. However, the rules about your onward destination are important to understand.

Key points about using the 144-hour visa:

You must have an onward confirmed ticket to a third country or region. “Third country” in this context means any place outside mainland China. Hong Kong and Macau are considered separate administrative regions, not part of mainland China, so traveling from Shanghai to Hong Kong generally counts as traveling to a third country/region for visa purposes.
The entry point must be one of the designated airports or ports in the Shanghai region that participates in the 144-hour TWOV scheme. If you arrive in Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao Airport from South Korea and depart from Shanghai to Hong Kong, you are within the allowed entry-exit policy.
Your stay must not exceed 144 hours from the moment of entry. During this time, you can move freely within the allowed area of Shanghai and nearby cities, but you must leave for your onward flight within the period.

Additional considerations:

Some travelers may get confused because Hong Kong is part of China politically, but for immigration purposes, it is treated separately, so using the 144-hour visa to transit to Hong Kong is allowed.
Always check with the airline before departure. Some airlines may have their own requirements or may ask to see proof of onward travel to Hong Kong.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and that you have the confirmed onward ticket before boarding the flight to Shanghai.

In conclusion, you can use the 144-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai arriving from South Korea and then travel onwards to Hong Kong. This is fully within the TWOV rules as Hong Kong is treated as a separate region for immigration purposes. Just ensure all your travel documents and tickets are ready and comply with the 144-hour time limit.

transiting through shanghai to HK

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