Passport pages

Question

Hi, I was wondering if I need to have blank pages for a less than 24 hour transit in Shanghai? From what I have read I won’t be given a “visa” but an exemption so I need space for entry and exit stamps. I ask as my passport is nearly full with two pages free and a few spaces for other stamps.

Answer

If you are transiting through Shanghai for less than 24 hours under the 24-hour visa-free transit policy, you are correct that you do not need a traditional visa. However, the immigration authorities will still typically stamp your passport to indicate entry and exit under the transit exemption.

Given this, you do need at least one completely blank page in your passport for the entry stamp, and ideally another blank page for the exit stamp. Two blank pages are usually sufficient for a short transit like this. Passport pages that are partially filled or have other stamps adjacent may sometimes be accepted, but immigration officers generally prefer completely blank pages to stamp cleanly.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date, as Chinese authorities often check this even for transit.
Have your onward ticket available, as this is required to qualify for the 24-hour transit exemption.
If your passport is nearly full, consider checking with your airline before departure, as they sometimes warn passengers about insufficient blank pages for stamping.

In summary, for a less-than-24-hour transit in Shanghai, your two remaining blank pages should be sufficient for the entry and exit stamps under the transit exemption. You do not need additional pages unless you prefer a margin for safety.

Passport pages

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