Visa free travel China

Question

We are travelling to Shanghai from Gatwick and onward by train to Xi’an and Beijing , leaving from Beijing to South Korea. We are staying 10 days. We believe we qualify for the 240 visa free scheme but wanted confirmation from a government source . We visited the Visa application centre in London to confirm this was the case but they would not commit- they said it was at our own risk . Has anyone done it and been ok?

Answer

The 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy in China allows nationals of certain countries to transit through specific Chinese cities without a visa, provided certain conditions are met. Shanghai is one of the cities that participates in this program. The rules for eligibility are quite specific, and travelers must comply with the following:

Your nationality must be from a country eligible for the 24/240-hour visa-free transit (for the UK, this is applicable).
You must hold a valid passport and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. In your case, traveling onward from Beijing to South Korea qualifies.
The transit duration must not exceed 240 hours (10 days) in the city or region participating in the program.
You must enter and exit via approved ports of entry, which in Shanghai includes both Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao airports, as well as the Shanghai railway stations for international trains.

It is important to note that while the policy is officially recognized, enforcement at the border can be strict. Local visa application centers may advise that use of this scheme is "at your own risk," meaning there is no absolute guarantee you will be allowed entry, especially if your travel plans are complex or involve multiple cities. In your case, traveling from Shanghai to Xi’an and then Beijing counts as internal travel within the country, which is permitted under the 24/240-hour transit scheme as long as your entry and exit points comply.

Practical considerations from travelers who have used this scheme include:

Carry all documentation for onward travel to a third country, including flight tickets and hotel bookings.
Be prepared for border officials to ask about your full itinerary within China.
Ensure that your total transit duration does not exceed 240 hours from the time of entry.
Have printed confirmations for trains between cities, as proof of planned transit.

Many travelers have successfully used the 240-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai and continued on to Xi’an and Beijing without issues, provided all conditions were met. However, border officials retain discretion, and there is always a small risk of being refused entry if any documentation or compliance is in question.

In summary, based on government policy, you do qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit, and your planned itinerary should comply. Still, you should be fully prepared with all supporting documents and ensure that your entry and exit points, as well as total duration, are strictly within the allowed limits.

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