Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel FAQs
  2. Asia
  3. China

China 240 Twov

Can anyone give any Visa advice?

We are UK nationals travelling from Heathrow to Hong Kong ( staying three nights ) then boarding a cruise stopping in Japan and finishing in Shanghai where we will stay for two nights before heading home.

Would we be eligible for a 240 hour TWOV or would a full VISA be more suitable?

Any advice greatfully accepted!

Thanks

For UK nationals, the 240-hour (10-day) transit without a visa (TWOV) is available in certain Chinese cities and regions. However, it has specific conditions that must be strictly followed.

In your case, your itinerary is: Heathrow → Hong Kong (3 nights) → cruise (Japan) → Shanghai (2 nights) → return home. Here's what you need to know:

  • The 240-hour TWOV is only available for travelers entering China directly from a foreign country and staying within the approved region (e.g., Shanghai Municipality, Beijing Municipality, etc.).
  • Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration rules. Time spent in Hong Kong does not count as time spent in mainland China, and entry from Hong Kong is generally not eligible for 240-hour TWOV.
  • Since your first entry into mainland China is after your cruise in Shanghai, technically you are entering from a foreign country. Therefore, for Shanghai, you could potentially use the 240-hour TWOV if you meet all other criteria, such as having an onward flight leaving within 10 days.

However, practical considerations suggest that a standard tourist visa (L visa) is safer for your trip, because:

  • You are visiting multiple regions and have non-standard entry points (Hong Kong first, then cruise, then Shanghai).
  • Immigration officers may be strict about your itinerary and check whether your entry meets the TWOV requirements.
  • A tourist visa avoids any risk of being denied entry upon arrival in Shanghai.

Summary recommendation: While the 240-hour TWOV could theoretically apply for your Shanghai stay after the cruise, obtaining a standard Chinese tourist visa in advance is more reliable given the multi-leg itinerary and time spent in Hong Kong beforehand. This ensures smooth entry and avoids complications.

More China Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Beijing
Japan
China
China
country
Shanghai

Popular Destinations

Nan'ao Beach
Kairouan
Ye Zhongde Hall
Zhonglu Tibetan Village

Popular Travel Questions