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240 hour visa question Hong Kong

Hi all,

Is it possible to fly from London to Shenzhen go to Hong Kong by train stay for 4 days then fly back out from Shenzhen in the 240 hour visa. We will be flying to Seoul from Shenzhen. The plan in the return journey is to then stay in Shenzhen for 3 days before then flying back to London.

I’m just confused if we are allowed to go to Hong Kong or have to stay in Shenzhen.

The 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy in China applies to specific cities, including Shenzhen. It allows travelers from eligible countries to enter and stay in the designated city or region without a visa for up to 10 days, provided they have an onward flight to a third country or region.

Regarding your itinerary:

  • Flying from London to Shenzhen is fine under the 240-hour transit visa, as long as your onward flight from Shenzhen to Seoul is confirmed.
  • Travelling from Shenzhen to Hong Kong counts as leaving the Chinese mainland. Once you cross into Hong Kong, the 240-hour visa-free status does not apply, as Hong Kong has a separate immigration system.
  • If you plan to return to Shenzhen after visiting Hong Kong, technically, re-entry into Shenzhen may require a valid visa or re-qualification under the transit rules. The 240-hour transit is generally intended for continuous stay in the specific city or region, not for multiple entries.

Key points:

  • During the 240-hour visa-free period, you must remain within the designated city or region. Leaving for Hong Kong interrupts this, and re-entry may not be guaranteed under the same transit exemption.
  • For your return journey, staying 3 days in Shenzhen after visiting Hong Kong may require you to obtain a standard Chinese visa in advance or apply for a separate transit permit.
  • Always carry confirmed onward tickets and comply with local immigration rules to avoid complications.

In summary, you can use the 240-hour visa-free transit to stay in Shenzhen initially and depart to a third country (Seoul). However, visiting Hong Kong during that period is considered leaving the Chinese mainland, and returning to Shenzhen may not be covered under the same transit policy. To stay in Shenzhen after Hong Kong, a standard visa or separate permission is likely required.

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