Shanghai Visa Free Transit: 240-Hour & 24-Hour Layover Visa 2025
Do I need a visa to visit Shanghai?
For a trip to Shanghai, there are two different situations: visa-required and visa-exempted. If your visit meeting related visa-free transit or visa waiver regulations, you can enter and stay in Shanghai within limited duration. Otherwise, you have to apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) ahead of depature to tour Shanghai. Check who enjoy Chinese Visa Exemption and who can apply for TWOV (Transit Without Visa) below.
Do I need a visa for Shanghai layover?
If you are eligible for 24-Hour or 240-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy, a visa is not required for transiting though Shanghai. (But, A Temporary Entry Permit is needed for leaving the port of entry.) If not, you must apply for and obtain a Chinese Transit Visa - G Visa prior to arrival. How to Apply for a Chinese Transit Visa >>
Transit at Shanghai Pudong Airport
Shanghai Visa Free Policies
Citizens of 54 countries who hold an ordinary passport with at least 3 months of validity and an onward flight, train, or cruise ticket to a third country (or region) within 240 hours can transit in designated areas of 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China’s Mainland, including Shanghai, for up to 240 hours without a visa.
1. Transit visitors must be nationals from appointed 54 countries
2. Transit Passengers Must Hold Valid International Travel Document
The passport or international travel document should have a validity of at least for 3 months. A valid visa for a third country is needed if requires.
3. Transit Passengers Must Hold Connecting Tickets to A Third Country (Region)
You must provide proof of a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (region), with a departure date within 240 hours. All countries and regions outside China’s Mainland are considered third-party countries or regions, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau,and others.
Valid Routes:
A. US > Beijing > Xian > Shanghai > Hong Kong or Macau
B. Australia > Shanghai > Hangzhou > Suzhou > Japan
C. US > Shanghai > Chongqing > Chengdu >Singapore
3. Choose Your Ports of Entry - 60 Ports Eligible
There are now 60 open ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free policy across 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu,Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Kunming, etc. You can enter China via any of these ports without a visa, as long as you meet the requirements.
Eligible Ports of Entry & Exit in Shanghai: Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
How to Apply for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit in Shanghai?
①. Inform the air company that you will apply for the visa-free transit in Shanghai when boarding.
②. Go to waiting area and fill in an Arrival Card (blue version), after landing at airports or cruise terminals in Shanghai.
③. Submit completed Arrival Card at the specialized 240-Hour Visa-free desk.
④. Obtain a Temporary Entry Permit stamped on your passport. (Don’t forget to tell the officer you don’t want to use the China Visa you already got.)
⑤. Claim your luggage and go through customs and immigration inspections.
⑥. Leave the port of entry to start your layover tour in Shanghai & other cities in Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces.
Note: All foreign visitors should make temporary accommodation registration at the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours upon arrival. For who stay in the hotel, the hotel staff will make the registration for you, others need to go to the Exit-Entry Administration Office personally to get registered.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场, IATA： PVG，ICAO： ZSPD), one of the two major ports of entry valid for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit Policy in Shanghai, has facilitated over 130,000 foreigner passengers during the past 3 year, about 90% of the total applicants. It is one of the busiest international hubs in China, handling airlines between nearly 300 cities in 47 foreign countries. Please read the following guide to help your layover go smoothly.
Location and Transportation
Address: No.6000, Yingbin Avenue, Pudong New Area, Eastern Shanghai (上海市浦东新区迎宾大道6000号), about 30 km (18.6 mi) to downtown, about 1 hour’s drive to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station.
Upon arrival, tourists can take Maglev Train, taxi, airport shuttle bus, metro, public bus to transfer to city center, or take long-distance bus (coach) to get to Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi (无锡), Yiwu (义乌), and other cities in surrounding area.
Transportation from Pudong Airport to Downtown City:
Shanghai Disneyland is the nearest attraction from Pudong Airport, while other sites are mainly located far away in the downtown area or west of Shanghai.
◆ Pudong Airport to the Bund: about 1 hour & 20 minutes by Metro Line 2; about 50 minutes ~ 1 hour by taxi.
◆ Pudong Airport to Shanghai Museum: about 1 hour’s driving/45 km.
◆ Pudong Airport to Yu Garden: about 1hour’s driving /42 km; about 1.5 hours by Airport Bus Line 5.
◆ Pudong Airport to Zhujiajiao Water Town: about 1.5 hours’ driving.
◆ Pudong Airport to Disney Resort : about 1.5 hours’ driving.
◆ Pudong Airport to People's Square: about 1 hour & 20 minutes by Metro Line 2 (passing through Shanghai East Pearl Tower); about 1 hour (48km) by taxi.
Useful Link: ▶ Shanghai Pudong Airport Transfer Guide
Shanghai Pudong Airport Transportation Map (click to enlarge)
Stunning Night View of The Bund
Getting Transit Visa Exemption in Shanghai brings real convenience of enjoying at most 10 days to tour Shanghai and major cities around. It’s highly suggested visiting top famous landmarks (the Bund, etc) to witness the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, if the layover period is less than 3 days. For a longer layover, you may have a classic Shanghai tour with major scenic spots, towers and cultural sites, or travel to Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo with Shanghai together to experience different scenery, culture and history of Jiangnan (Southern China) in theYangtze River Delta. Best Shanghai Layover Tours >>
◆ 24 Hours in Shanghai - Shanghai One Day Tour
Top Recommended Attractions: Maglev Train, The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum
What to see in Shanghai when having a day or less? Skycrapers, culture sites of traditional eastern style or mixed feautures, urban life scenes, Shanghai gets more than that for your discovery.
You can start from taking a Maglev Train from Pudong International Airport to downtown area. For a daytime layover, you can visit Shanghai Museum in the morning to enjoy the great cultural and historic development of China, then transfer to 600-year-old Yu Garden to view beautiful Chinese garden, later see exotic architectures complex along the Bund and view modern skyscrapers across the Huangpu River.
Tips: We advise you to use Left Luggage Service at the airport and just bring backpack to travel light.
Useful Links: Shanghai Travel Guide / Top Things to Do in Shanghai / Get to & around Shanghai
◆ 3 Days in Shanghai - Shanghai Transit Tours within 72 Hours
- 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour
- 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
- 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour
Top Recommended Attractions: Magleva Train, The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center, Tianzifang, Shanghai Disney Resort.
For 3 days, you’re highly recommended visiting the iconic and highest buildings in Shanghai, experience “old Shanghai” in ancient sites, experience interesting local life and join in feature activities for leisure. You can touch the megacity in traditional and modern style both.
Travelers can spend one day visiting the most notable skycrapers in Shanghai, like Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, or World Financial Center. Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Zhujiajiao Water Town are best cultural spots to find the old Shanghai. The Huangpu River Night Cruise are the best way to enjoy the international architectures of the Bund. Besides, you can relax by watching a performance in the Circus World, stroll in Xintiandi or Tianzifang, having family fun in Shanghai Disney Resort.
Most Popualr Shanghai City Tours:
◆ 240 Hours in Shanghai - Travel Shanghai with Suzhou & Hangzhou
- 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
- 4 Days Shanghai In-depth Tour with Sidetrip to Suzhou
- 5 Days Essence of Shanghai & Hangzhou Tour
- 5 Days Essence of Shanghai & Hangzhou Tour
Top Recommended Attractions: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Fileds, Zhouzhuang/Tongli Ancient Town, Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory.
6 days are far enough for a trip to Shanghai with nearby Suzhou and Hangzhou. So you can experience diverse culture and history in southern China, like watertownships, classic gardens, West Lake, etc.
It’s suitable to use 2 days for Shanghai. Then you may drive or take high speed train to picturesque Hangzhou touring 2 days, ramble around the scenic West Lake, learn the Longji Tea culture in the plantation or museum. After arrival in Suzhou, slow down and take 1 to 2 days to enjoy those exquistive gradens, well-designed ancient watertowns, marvellous design building of Suzhou Museum (masterpiece of world famous architect - Ieoh Ming Pei), and fasinating Suzhou silk and Kunqu Opera. Itinerary depends on your taste and free time.
Most Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tours:
Shanghai 24 Hour Visa Free Transit
From March 15th, 2012, Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai was firstly approved to implement 24-Hour Visa-free Transit in China. Travelers of any foreign countries can get 24 visa free transit with connecting (air, ship, train) tickets to a third country (region). It allows travelers to transit in Shanghai without going through any immigration inspections. You can stay inside the airport or leave the airport to visit Shanghai within 24 hours.
Advantage: Before taking flights, there is no visa application work to do, which saves both your time and money. Meanwhile, you may get a visa-free chance to quickly tour the city during layover.
Where to Sleep during layover in Shanghai？
Airport Transit Hotel
Except regular services like consultance, business loung, baggage storage, currency exchange, there are also (time-charge) hourly hotel with Wi-Fi provided inside the airport. The temporary accommodation service is valid for 24 hours, and located in the dining floor near the entrance of International Departures Hall, Terminal 2. The hourly hotel opends 24 hours, which is most suited for who arrive at late night, or will catch early morning flights.
Accommodation in Downtown
With a longer duration of stay, you could visit downtown, book a hotel in a good location with perfect facilities. The best accommodation area is near the Bund.
Useful Link: Best Places to Stay in Shanghai
Shanghai Airport Visa on Arrival
On the basis of related laws and rules, foreigners can submit Port Visa ( Visa on Arrival) at the visa office of the Exit-Entry Administration of Shanghai Public Security Bureau at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, if he/she meets one of the following situations:
1. For emergency (being invited at short notice for attending a trade fair, signing economic contract, trade activity, installing equipment or make repairs, settling claims,)
2. For scenitific or technological meeting.
3. For visiting a patient in critical condition or making a funeral.
4. For tourist groups organized by travel agencies in China, Hong Kong or Macau.
Required Documents includes: valid passport, completed Visa Application Form, recently-taken photos, and other supporting documents for urgent visit. Check detailed guide onhttps://english.shanghai.gov.cn/ (official website of Shanghai International Service).
Useful Links: How to Apply for a Visa for China / China Visa Application Required Documents / How to Apply China Visa on Arrival
Online Visa Guide of Shanghai PSB
Official website of online Shanghai visa guide for foreigners
Check different kinds of visa requirements, application procedures in https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/ka240/default.jsp online platform of Exit-entry Administrative of Public Security Bureau of Shanghai.
Visa Renewal and Extension in Shanghai
Aliens already holding ordinary China Tourist Visa can get visa renewal and extension service conveniently at the related visa office of Public Security Bureau. How to Extend and Renew China Visa >>
China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. Except Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Nanjing, Qingdao, etc, are also eligible for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit. Without visa, you can fulfill your dream tour to China, visiting the great cultural, historical, natural landscape will. If you are interested in China visa-free tour, we could also customize a China visa-free tour in more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.
We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable trips to Shanghai for the past few years. Among them, Lawson's Family from UK enjoyed their 19 days China family vacation with Shanghai with our customized tour package and shared us their memorable travel stories! Travel with China Discovery to create your wonderful Shanghai trip memories!
Shanghai Travel Guide
Recommended Tours
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai
Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.
Customize a Trip
Questions & Discussions
Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.
But can you take a ferry HKG-> Guangzhou Nansha stay couple days ->ferry Macao stay or possible transit back to HKG via Macao.
Yes, you can take a ferry HKG-> Guangzhou Nansha stay couple days ->ferry Macao stay, then transit back to HKG via Macao, which is qualified for the visa free transit policy.
China is 30-day visa free to Australian passport holders. No need of visa.
Hkg -> Beijing -> train to Shanghai -> fly back to Hkg is not qualified. You can try Hkg -> Beijing -> train to Shanghai -> fly to Macao or Taipei -> Hkg.
Many thanks
Regards
Nicola
Your trip is a bit complicated, not like other cases. Shanghai's international cruise port is also eligible for 240-hour visa free transit, but it has to be a cruise to/from a third country or region, while your cruise is from Shanghai to other place then back to Shanghai. Maybe you can consult your cruise company.
Yes, Shanghai - Beijing - 3rd country or region is eligible. Don't have to go back to Shanghai.
We also tried to do the online application for the 144 hour transit visa with the link you have above but that site has said it is down for maintenance for weeks now.
A layover in Hong Kong also means you enter China's Mainland from Hong Kong not Bostono. Apparently, Hong Kong - Shanghai - Hong Kong is not eligible for the 240 Hour Visa Free Transit. After Shanghai, if you fly to other countries or regions, your trip will be eligible for visa free transit, such as Soul, Tokyo, Singapore, etc.
Yes, currently Shanghai 240 Visa Free Transit cannot be registered online.
Our itinerary is:
Lima/Madrid/Shanghai (2-hour stopover)/Tokyo/Shanghai Pudong (5-hour stopover)/Madrid/Lima
Please, is it necessary to process a visa? We will not leave Shanghai airport, because our connections are immediate.
Thank you.
Your itinerary Lima/Madrid/Shanghai (2-hour stopover)/Tokyo/Shanghai Pudong (5-hour stopover)/Madrid/Lima is eligible for 24 hour visa free transit in Shanghai.
Flight 1: Tokyo (NRT) → Shanghai (PVG), arriving at 11:10 AM on January 21, 2025.
Flight 2: Shanghai (PVG) → Hanoi (Noi Bai), departing at 2:10 PM on January 22, 2025.
Given the duration of my stay at Shanghai Pudong Airport will exceed 24 hours (approximately 27 hours), would I still be eligible for the 24-hour visa-free transit, or would I need to apply for a transit visa?
Thank you for your guidance.
For Vietnamese passport holders, to transit over 24 hours, you need to apply for transit visa.
We enter to Shanghai from November 10 to the 15 and then we flight to Hong Kong
Sour next stop is Japan, can we make a stop in Beijing and apply again for a transit visa for 2 days before a we go to Seoul
Itinerary
Mexico - Seoul - shanghai - Hong kong, Japan, Beijing, Seoul
We are flying to Japan today.
Yes, you can apply for visa-free transit twice as long as your itinerary, passport and other requirements meet the policy. But please be noted the Visa-Free is not 100% guaranteed. The border officers will decide according to your situation.
Hi there,
We (Czech citizens) will be visiting Hong Kong in December 2024. On the way to Hong Kong, we would like to have a layover of 4 days in Shanghai (December 15th-18th).
It is cheaper for us to book our tickets separately with different companies, rather than a connecting flight with the same airline. Are we still eligible for a 144-hour visa-free transit even if our flights are booked separately with different airlines?
We would arrive to Shanghai on December 15th, then fly out on December 18th with a different airline on a separate ticket to Hong Kong. Our itinerary would look like this:
Vienna → Shenzhen (3 hour connect, not leaving the airport) → Shanghai Pudong (144 hours visit in Shanghai) → Hong Kong
Hong Kong → Chengdu (3 hour connect, not leaving the airport) → Vienna
Many thanks in advance!
144-hour visa-free transit doesn't require flights with a same airline as long as you are leaving for a third country or region.
China Discovery
And also our return flight, will transit again at shanghai for 14hours, and 2nd stop at kunming for 20hours, before fly back to singapore, what should we do ? Thanks
Yes, the temporary entry airport is applied at the airport. We don't recommend transit in 2 different airports. There is not much information about its availability.
how about 2 stops transit ? each stop transit time not over than 24hrs, can i also apply temporary entry permit once at airport ?
Transit within 24 hours is visa-free. But to leave the airport, you need to apply for a temporary entry permit in the airport. The border officer will determine whether you could get the permit according to your info.
China Discovery
Is there a hotel within the airport?
Thankyou very much.
Transit within 24 hours is visa free. But to leave the airport, you need to apply for a temporary entry permit in the airport.
China Discovery
Yes, your itinerary is eligible for Shanghai 144 hour visa free transit policy.
China Discovery
Yes, your travel plan is eligible for the 24 Hour Visa Free Transit, but you have to register twice.
Can you provide advice please as I need to know the following:
1. Will we be able to use the 144 hour visa free application; and
2. Do we also need the full visa
Yes, your citizenship, travel route and ports of entry & exit, all are qualified the 144 Hour Transit Visa Free Policy in Shanghai. Please check your passport which should be valid at least 3 months, and prepare your cruise ticket upon arrival. There are simple application steps you need to finish to get a Temporary Entry Permit at the Pudong Airport. BTW, don’t forget to make accommodation registration in your Shanghai hotel within 24 hours after check in.
Here are our most popular Shanghai tours may inspire you https://www.chinadiscovery.com/shanghai-tours.html.
Enjoy your short break in Shanghai and have a good day!
Shanghai has several different visa free policies, such as the 24 & 144 hours transit visa free and 15 days visa free for cruise tour groups. Not quite clear about how long you will transit in Shanghai. You can apply for 24 hour TWOV if layover is less than 24 hours, or 144 hours if staying a few days (within 144 hours). Please let us know if you are in other situation, and we are glad to help!
Have a good day!
Best Regards,
Currently, there are different visa free policies implemented in Shanghai, including the 24 and 144 hour transit visa free and 15 day visa free for cruise group visitors...
If your last departure city is different from the next destination,you may apply for 24 hours’ Temporary Entry Permit to enter Shanghai and stay overnight out of the ship at the terminal.144 Hour is likely to be given to those who will layover in Shanghai for several days (within 144 hours).No local tour guide is required for the TWOV application.
However, cruise passengers can also have a 15-day shore excursion by booking a local tour service.No specific restriction of the travel route and citizenship, but do has the regulation of paid local tour service and number of group size.
That is to say, you can get 24 hour transit visa exempted after arrival without booking a tour guide, as long as you finish related processes.
Wish everything goes well and enjoy your cruise trip!
Best Regards,
Sorry for our late reply!
Yes, you can use 24 hour visa free transit in Shanghai airports or cruise ports upon arrival. Since you only make short transit in Shanghai, you don’t need to make accommodation registration like the 72 & 144 hour transiting tourists.
Wish you everything goes well and enjoy this visa-free trip!
Best Regards,
Thank you very much for your help
We confirmed with the Shanghai Immigration Office that you are eligible to apply for 144 hour transit visa free in Shanghai. If the online application doesn’t have the option, you can apply at the airport on the spot upon arrival, fill in paper form and apply for the free entry.
Enjoy your trip and have a good day!
Yes, your situation is eligible for Shanghai 144 hour visa free transit.
If the online application doesn’t have the proper option, you can simply apply at the airport or cruise terminal after arrival. Get a paper form to fill out at the special visa-free areas. That is confirmed by Shanghai Immigration Office.
Enjoy your trip in Shanghai:)
Glad to get your quick response. So here is your travel routes:
UK --> Shanghai (arrival on 21 May and stay on 21 to 23) --> Japan (take cruise on 24 May) --> Shanghai --> UK right?
Since you hold a UK passport, your tour only have a short layover in Shanghai, with a passport of over 3 months’ validity & tickets to Japan / UK, you are qualified to apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit, for both trips (arrival & return trip). You can complete online application form in https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/144zy.jsp or fill in form through a machine, or get a paper form on arrival.
After landing at Shanghai Pudong Airport, bring your passport & cruise ticket to 144-Hour counter, fill in application form to apply a Temporary Entry Permit, which is free of charge. Then you can stay in Shanghai without applying an advanced visa.
When coming back from Japan, you still need to make visa exemption application at immigration area at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. This time, your stay period is very short, it’s possible to get a 24-hour visa-free transit only. Anyway, it depends on customs officers.
Here is our most recommended Shanghai tours for you: https://www.chinadiscovery.com/shanghai-tours.html.
Happy the coming travels and wish you luck in getting a “no-visa” Shanghai tour.
Best Regards,
What kind of a visa do I need please?
Thanks for your inquiry.
There are different visa types for different purpose of visiting China. You mentioned you will take a cruiseship from Shanghai, so if you come to China for tour, you shall apply for a China Tourist Visa - L Visa. Here is our page https://www.chinadiscovery.com/chinese-visa/china-tourist-visa.html which introduces the details, including documents needed, application fees and processes, etc.
Based on the limited information you gave, we’re not sure whether you are eligible for Shanghai 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. If your cruise ship will visit a third country or region, like Hong Kong or Macau, you may qualify a 6-day layover in Shanghai without visa. Thus, we will give proper advice further if you provide more itinerary infos.
Have a good day!
Best Regards,
Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests
- Your Question:
- Your Name:
- Your Email:
- Submit
