Visa for Australians

Question

Is it correct Australians no longer need a visa when travelling from HK to Shenzhen?

Answer

For Australians travelling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, there is a simplified visa arrangement, but it is not a blanket exemption for all types of travel.

Visa requirements for Australians:

Australians can enter Shenzhen and other parts of Guangdong Province under the 144-hour (6-day) visa-free transit if they meet certain conditions. This is part of China’s temporary transit policies.
To qualify, travelers must have an onward international flight or train ticket departing China within 144 hours and remain within the allowed region (Shenzhen and nearby cities in Guangdong Province for this scheme).
If you are planning to stay beyond 144 hours, travel to other provinces, or intend multiple entries, a standard Chinese visa is still required.

Points to note:

The visa-free entry is only valid at specific ports of entry, such as Shenzhen Bay, Lo Wu, and Huanggang border crossings from Hong Kong.
Travelers must show proof of onward travel and may be required to provide accommodation information for the duration of the stay.
Hong Kong itself has a separate immigration system, so Australians do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong, but entering Shenzhen is subject to the above transit rules.

In summary, Australians do not automatically need a standard Chinese visa when travelling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen for a short stay under the 144-hour visa-free transit program, but this applies only under specific conditions. For longer stays or travel beyond Shenzhen/Guangdong, a normal Chinese visa is required. It’s important to confirm current regulations before travel, as policies can change.

Visa for Australians

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