China Visa Free Policy.

Question

Hello - My family of 5 and I will be traveling to China in June. I have a few questions in regards to the visa. Because we will be on ground for two days and sailing for other days, I am not sure of the protocol. My most important question is, will we need a tourist visa for our trip? Or will we be covered by the 10 day free visa travel? Considering we are coming in and out through a cruise ship.

Here’s our itinerary for reference. Please advise.

Thursday June 5 - 12:05 Arriving to Shanghai International Airport

Friday June 6 - Exploring the city

Saturday June 7 - Exploring the city

Sunday June 8 - 8:00 am arriving at cruise port of Shanghai (Baoshan)

Monday June 9 - At seas

Tuesday June 10 - Kobe, Japan

Wednesday June 11 - Kobe Japan

Thursday June 12 - Tokyo Japan

Friday June 13 - Cruising

Saturday June 14 - Cruising

Sunday June 15 - Arriving at port at 8:00 am

Monday June 16 - Depart at 3:55 pm to Canada then US.

Thank you so much for your help.

Answer

For your family’s itinerary, the key consideration is whether your short stay in Shanghai qualifies for China’s visa-free transit or if a standard tourist visa is required. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Visa requirements for Shanghai (June 5–7):

China offers a 144-hour (6-day) visa-free transit
To qualify, you must:

Be in transit to a third country (not returning to your departure country immediately).
Have confirmed onward tickets and entry documents for that third country.
Stay within the designated area (Shanghai Municipality for this visa type).

Since your itinerary involves arriving in Shanghai and then boarding a cruise, it may be treated as a “transit” if your cruise eventually departs China to a foreign port. However, immigration authorities sometimes require a clear flight or port-to-port connection for visa-free eligibility. Being on a multi-day cruise could complicate using the 144-hour visa-free transit, as it is technically not considered a direct onward trip to another country until you leave China by sea.
If you do not qualify for the 144-hour transit exemption, a standard Chinese tourist visa (L visa) will be required for all family members for the Shanghai portion of your trip.

2. Visa requirements for cruise ports:

If the cruise departs from Baoshan port in Shanghai and you remain on board, you generally do not need a separate visa for the days at sea.
Entry into China prior to boarding or after disembarking may require a visa if the 144-hour visa-free transit is not applicable.

3. Summary and recommendations:

Check whether your cruise company can confirm that passengers are eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit. Some cruise itineraries are recognized for this exemption.
If uncertain, it is safer to apply for a standard tourist visa in advance for the Shanghai portion to avoid any risk of denied entry.
For your Japan portion of the cruise, separate Japanese entry requirements will apply, but this does not affect the Chinese visa situation.

In conclusion, while there is a possibility of using the 144-hour visa-free transit for your short stay in Shanghai, the fact that your onward travel is by cruise may not fully meet the typical requirements. To ensure smooth entry, obtaining a standard tourist visa before travel is recommended.

China Visa Free Policy.

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