Visa Queries

Question

Have return fights booked to Shanghai.

Planning a trip to China,Korea and Japan arriving 1st April. Total 5 weeks.

Not sure what way round to do it…. Thinking transit at Shanghai ( flight next day using 24 hr transit visa ) to Korea and on to Japan return3 weeks or so later and use 240 hr visa…..travelling China ( Beijing,Guilin,Xian)

Does this sound sensible or should we bite the bull it and apply for visa…..

Also thinking weather better late April in China….. Thoughts welcome….

Answer

Hello,

Planning a multi-country trip to China, Korea, and Japan requires careful consideration of visa rules and transit options. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on your plan and the current visa policies.

Transit Visa Options in China:

24-hour Transit Visa Exemption: Some Chinese cities, including Shanghai, allow travelers of certain nationalities to stay up to 24 hours without a visa if they are transiting to a third country. This can be convenient if your flight from Shanghai to Korea is within the 24-hour window. You must remain in the city or airport area allowed under the policy.
144-hour / 240-hour Visa-Free Transit: Shanghai and several other ports offer 144-hour (6 days) or 240-hour (10 days) visa-free transit for travelers arriving from and departing to a third country. However, these require strict adherence to entry and exit points, and your travel must be within eligible cities and routes.

Considerations for Your Itinerary:

If you plan to spend more than a day in Shanghai before heading to Korea, you may qualify for the 144-hour transit visa (Shanghai), which allows you to explore the city for several days. This may reduce the need to apply for a full Chinese visa for a short stay.
For travel to Beijing, Guilin, and Xi’an later, you cannot rely on transit visas. These require a standard Chinese visa (L visa for tourism), as you will be entering China from Korea or Japan, not transiting directly from an international flight within 24/144/240-hour rules.
Applying for a full visa before your trip may simplify logistics and avoid complications, especially since your travel plan includes multiple cities across China.

Weather Considerations:

Early April can still be cool in northern China (Beijing, Xi’an) with possible rain, but southern China (Guilin, Shanghai) starts warming up with pleasant spring temperatures.
Late April generally offers milder and more stable weather across most of China, making sightseeing and outdoor activities more comfortable.

Summary Recommendation:

If your time in Shanghai before Korea is less than 24 hours, using the 24-hour transit exemption is sensible.
If you want a few days in Shanghai before heading to Korea, consider the 144-hour visa-free transit option if eligible.
Since you plan to travel extensively in China later (Beijing, Guilin, Xi’an), it is safest and most convenient to apply for a full Chinese tourist visa (L visa) before your trip.
Delaying travel to late April may provide slightly better weather, especially in northern and central China, for sightseeing.

Overall, for a smooth multi-city China itinerary combined with Korea and Japan, obtaining a full visa in advance reduces uncertainty and ensures flexibility with your travel schedule.

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