72 Hours Visa Free Travel to Shanghai

Have you heard? Visa-free travel in Shanghai was made possible now!

Passengers from over 40 countries / regions including US, Canada and most of countries in Europe (see the country list on the bottom of this page) using Hongqiao or Pudong International Airport for transmit are now allowed 3 days in Shanghai visa-free. Would like to make the best of your time? Choose our well-designed Shanghai day tour package to kick it off!

Tips:

1. The 45 visa-free countries are: 31 European Union countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom), 6 American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the United States, and 8 Asian/Oceanian countries: Australia, Brunei, Japan, Qatar, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
2. Customers can stay 72 hours to stay in Shanghai. Travel between the two cities is not permitted.
3. During 72-hour stay, travelers can not leave Shanghai for other cities in China and have to depart from Shanghai to a third country.
4. This visa does not allow entry into Shanghai and exit from the other city. This is a single city visa.

FAQ:

1. Can I apply for a 72 hours transit visa if I don’t have the flight ticket departing from China?

Applicants who apply for 72-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai must hold a valid flight ticket with confirmed date and seat or relevant proof. That is to say, you cannot apply for 72-hour visa-free transit if you haven’t bought the flight ticket departing from China before entering China.

2. Can I enter China by train arriving at Shanghai Railway Station, and leave Shanghai by flight within 72 hours?

No. Application for the 72-hour visa-free policy can be made only at Shanghai International Airport.

3. Can I apply for a 72 hour transit visa if I hold a return ticket from the country where I boarded the flight before my entry to China?

The 72-hour visa-free policy is limited to people who transit from Shanghai to a third country. Therefore, foreigners who depart from and return to the same country are not eligible to apply for the visa.

4. Can I leave Shanghai or stay over 72 hours?

No. During the 72-hour visa-free transit, foreigners must stay in Shanghai, and leave China from Shanghai International Airport. Leaving Shanghai or staying longer than 72 hours is not allowed. If a stay in Shanghai of over 72 hours is required, application is needed for a China visa through Entry-Exit Administration Department of Shanghai Municipality Public Security Bureau. Overstaying or leaving Shanghai from other ports without a China visa will be handled according to relevant laws and regulations and penalties are severe.

5. Are security check and inspection exempted for 72-hour visa-free foreigners?

Foreigners who enjoy 72-hour visa-free transit are required to go through security check and inspection. To avoid the spread of epidemics, inspection and quarantine department at the port will set up special channels for fast and efficient passing of 72-hour visa-free transit, and will use methods like infrared temperature monitoring and X-ray screening.

6. Can I bring pets when entering China on this visa?

Companion animals belonging to travelers on 72-hour visa-free entry are subject to inspection and quarantine in the place specified by the inspection and quarantine unit. When 72-hour visa-free foreigners leave China, their companion animals must exit under supervision by inspection and quarantine staff. Assistance dogs such as guide dogs and hearing dogs carried into China by 72-hour visa-free foreigners can accompany the 72-hour visa-free foreigners during their stay, provided that they pass airport inspection and carry the necessary valid certificates. When 72-hour visa-free foreigners leave China, their assistance dogs must exit at the same time with them under supervision by inspection and quarantine staff.