Chinese Visa exemption for US citizen

[JenniferKuhse]

I am looking for support as I keep getting mixed information from the cruise line and NO communication from the Chinese Consulate. 
 

Per the information I have found online, and through a document posted by Holland America - it appears as I will qualify for a Chinese visa exemption. I wished to reach out to see if anyone else has clarification or has actually been in my particular situation...

my understanding of the law is that because of my following circumstances, I will qualify for the 144 hour Chinese exemption.  
 

Jan 12th - flight from United States to Hong Kong. Hong Kong isn’t considered Chinese mainland and visa is not needed for US citizens with passport entering. 
Jan 14th - cruising on Royal Caribbean’s spectrum of the seas out of Hong Kong. 
jan 16th - arrival in port of Okinawa, Japan. The cruise line will take care of visitor docs. 
Jan 18th - arrival for disembarkation in Shanghai, China. 
Jan 18th - flight from Shanghai PVG to United States with no layovers in Chinese mainland. 
 

shanghai requires a Visa, but since I will be able to show immigration documentation that has me leaving Shanghai just hours after arrival, I should be clear? 
1) I’m coming from HongKong/Okinawa which is not considered China. 
2) I’m arriving in Shanghai via ship, with a US passport and plane tickets to show my return to the US. 

3) no layovers in China 

 

can anyone confirm or deny? I appreciate any clarification. 

[JenniferKuhse]

This is screenshot of a PDF I found on Holland America’s website regarding the 144 hour rule for Shanghai. 

[Essiesmom]

Is your flight from Shanghai direct to the US?  Or do you have a stopover in Tokyo?  If it's direct - or has a stopover in a country other than Japan, you should be good without a visa.  But if you touch Japan again, you would need the visa.  EM

[JenniferKuhse]

11 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Is your flight from Shanghai direct to the US?  Or do you have a stopover in Tokyo?  If it's direct - or has a stopover in a country other than Japan, you should be good without a visa.  But if you touch Japan again, you would need the visa.  EM

My flight is at 6:00pm out of Shanghai the date the ship hits Shanghai. I will go straight from the ship to airport without moving across any boarders... my itinerary is Shanghai to Toronto, Canada and then toronto to Kentucky. I won’t re-touch Japan. 
**I just have concern because Royal Caribbean can’t decipher the law for me, the VisaCentral place only seems to want to sell me something, and RCCL also states they will deny me boarding if I don’t provide all necessary documents.im not sure what’s necessary!** 

Edited December 8, 2019 by JenniferKuhse

[mom says]

It looks like you'll be fine, since your return flight is Shanghai nonstop to Toronto. We did exactly that last Feb.  But just to be clear- there's no such thing as a visa exemption. What you are looking at is the 144 hr visa WAIVER. Not the same thing.

It's a tricky thing. Our cruise stopped in Hong Kong before ending in Shanghai. A couple we knew had to disembark early in HK because their TA had booked them on a flight home that had a connection in HK. Therefore they didn't qualify for the waiver. Had their TA been more knowledgeable, they could have gotten a different flight.

 

You should receive paper work to fill out for the waiver for Immigration prior to arrival in Shanghai. You need to present that along with your passports ( and extra passport photos IIRC) when you clear through passport control at the cruise terminal. Oh, and be prepared for a very lengthy wait in line. It took us over 2 hours.

Edited December 8, 2019 by mom says

[JenniferKuhse]

13 minutes ago, mom says said:

It looks like you'll be fine, since your return flight is Shanghai nonstop to Toronto. We did exactly that last Feb.  But just to be clear- there's no such thing as a visa exemption. What you are looking at is the 144 hr visa WAIVER. Not the same thing.

It's a tricky thing. Our cruise stopped in Hong Kong before ending in Shanghai. A couple we knew had to disembark early in HK because their TA had booked them on a flight home that had a connection in HK. Therefore they didn't qualify for the waiver. Had their TA been more knowledgeable, they could have gotten a different flight.

 

You should receive paper work to fill out for the waiver for Immigration prior to arrival in Shanghai. You need to present that along with your passports ( and extra passport photos IIRC) when you clear through passport control at the cruise terminal. Oh, and be prepared for a very lengthy wait in line. It took us over 2 hours.

It’s so nice to finally hear from someone that’s been in my position. Thank you for the clarification. From what I’ve read - Hong Kong isn’t considered a mainland China stop, for purposes of the waiver. I’m grateful We will be headed to Okinawa before arrival in Shanghai to take that concern of mine out of the equation. I booked a 6:00pm flight in Shanghai anticipating some delays. I am a solo traveler, and only going on a 4night cruise. I’m crossing my fingers I’m one of a handful that need to utilize the waiver line. 
after hearing from you, I’m going to relax and not concern myself with applying for the Visa. I’ve connected with VisaCentral & they just expressed that I should be okay, but have heard “horror stories” of Americans getting held up in the 144 hour line... so I should just get it. I felt like they were just attempting to sell me on the Visa as they would make a fee from me since I do not live near a Chinese consulate. 
Any other advice?

also, you mentioned additional passport photos. Can you expand on that? This is the first I’ve heard. 
 

THANK YOU

[mom says]

24 minutes ago, JenniferKuhse said:

 

also, you mentioned additional passport photos. Can you expand on that? This is the first I’ve heard

Honestly, I can't remember which countries we needed the extra passport photos for. We were on a B2B that visited 9 different countries. I know more than 1 required extra passport photos. In any event, we always travel abroad with extra photos just in case we need them (ie: we need to replace a lost or stolen passport). You'll also need a photocopy of your flight reservations to prove to Chinese Immigration that you are leaving the country. DH and I chuckled when we checked in for our cruise- there was a HUGE line of people waiting to photocopy their docs because they'd forgotten to do it in advance.

 

BTW, have you read this thread on the Asia POC board? I found it very helpful:.  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2576000-shanghaichina-144-hour-visa-free-transit-explained/

 

Edited December 8, 2019 by mom says

[JenniferKuhse]

I will go take some additional photos! Sure does beat having to go through the horrid application Visa process. 
I have read abt the photocopy issue in the terminal! I will bring MULTIPLE! 
Did the reservation print out work for you for your flight home proof? Or did you need something that was the actual boarding pass/check-in? Much more difficult to provide as only available 24hours before flight. 

[mom says]

48 minutes ago, JenniferKuhse said:

I will go take some additional photos! Sure does beat having to go through the horrid application Visa process. 
I have read abt the photocopy issue in the terminal! I will bring MULTIPLE! 
Did the reservation print out work for you for your flight home proof? Or did you need something that was the actual boarding pass/check-in? Much more difficult to provide as only available 24hours before flight. 

No, just the reservation printout  was all we needed. Plus a copy of our hotel reservation confirmation, since we stayed a couple of days before flying home.

[SRF]

Just be advised, the 144 hour visa line can be very long and VERY SLOW.

 

BT, DT.  I was in line for well over a hour at the airport to get a 144 hour visa.  They had only ONE person doing them.  And many people had to search for various documents.

 

I can't imagine what the wait would be getting off a ship.  How many others will be doing this??????????

 

If your flight is close in time, you may want a real visa, the lines are MUCH shorter and faster.

 

Hong Kong is not China.  And anyway, you are entering Shanghai from Japan, you last port before Shanghai.

Edited December 9, 2019 by SRF

[JenniferKuhse]

On 12/9/2019 at 10:25 AM, SRF said:

Just be advised, the 144 hour visa line can be very long and VERY SLOW.

 

BT, DT.  I was in line for well over a hour at the airport to get a 144 hour visa.  They had only ONE person doing them.  And many people had to search for various documents.

 

I can't imagine what the wait would be getting off a ship.  How many others will be doing this??????????

 

If your flight is close in time, you may want a real visa, the lines are MUCH shorter and faster.

 

Hong Kong is not China.  And anyway, you are entering Shanghai from Japan, you last port before Shanghai.

Thank you!! I was very uneasy abt this as the Consulate wouldn’t respond, and the Online Visa places wish for me to pay their service fees... I believe I’m going to take my chances with the lines as I’ll be off in the early morning (I have priority departure with the Liner), and flight isn’t until 6:00. I’m assuming being only a 4 night cruise, there won’t be many of us on board needing the 144 hour waiver as many will most likely be from China. 

[SRF]

It sounds like you will have plenty of time.

 

And remember, the visa waiver you have to touch Country A, then China, then Country B.    Country A to China to Country A (even to change planes) is not allowed under this program.

[JenniferKuhse]

2 minutes ago, SRF said:

It sounds like you will have plenty of time.

 

And remember, the visa waiver you have to touch Country A, then China, then Country B.    Country A to China to Country A (even to change planes) is not allowed under this program.

ill have USA to Hong Kong (which is not considered mainland China) to Okinawa, Japan via cruise ship, to shanghai, China via Cruise ship and then straight to Canada via direct flight. 

 

2 hours ago, JenniferKuhse said:

Thank you!! I was very uneasy abt this as the Consulate wouldn’t respond, and the Online Visa places wish for me to pay their service fees... I believe I’m going to take my chances with the lines as I’ll be off in the early morning (I have priority departure with the Liner), and flight isn’t until 6:00. I’m assuming being only a 4 night cruise, there won’t be many of us on board needing the 144 hour waiver as many will most likely be from China. 

2 minutes ago, SRF said:

It sounds like you will have plenty of time.

 

And remember, the visa waiver you have to touch Country A, then China, then Country B.    Country A to China to Country A (even to change planes) is not allowed under this program.

[FlyerTalker]

I sure hope that you are spending a chunk of time in HKG before your cruise.  Otherwise, it's long way to go for a 4 day cruise.  (And be prepared for a VERY large Asian demographic onboard - not many would go from North America for that short a trip).

[JenniferKuhse]

🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m anticipating that. I am going to visit friends of mine that are crew members on board one of the ships. Unfortunately this was the only time I could make the journey. It’s quick turn around, and lots of airtime, but I feel it’ll be worth it as long as immigrations allows me to catch my flight back to the states! 

[ldubs]

6 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 (And be prepared for a VERY large Asian demographic onboard - not many would go from North America for that short a trip).

 

Curious, how would you prepare?  BTW, we will be going on a 5 day cruise out of Singapore in a couple months.  I expect there will be a lot of Asian passengers but wouldn't give it a second thought --  other than I hope there is a lot of Asian food because we like it.   

[SRF]

A LOT more smokers

 

A LOT of people in the casino.

 

Different cultural norms for behavior.

 

HKG is one of my favorite cities in the world.  But with things right now, I would be cautious.

[JenniferKuhse]

56 minutes ago, SRF said:

A LOT more smokers

 

A LOT of people in the casino.

 

Different cultural norms for behavior.

 

HKG is one of my favorite cities in the world.  But with things right now, I would be cautious.

My plan is to go straight from HKG airport to airport downtown for sleep - and then to the cruise port the next morning. I’m really hoping to avoid any unrest. 

[SRF]

I hope you are able to avoid any issues.

 

But make sure you have alternate plans.

 

It seems the cruise terminal is the old airport, Kai Tak.  And to get from the new airport to there, you have to go through Kowloon.

 

I would try to make sure my hotel was close to the cruise terminal, to avoid any issues getting there in the morning.

[JenniferKuhse]

1 hour ago, SRF said:

I hope you are able to avoid any issues.

 

But make sure you have alternate plans.

 

It seems the cruise terminal is the old airport, Kai Tak.  And to get from the new airport to there, you have to go through Kowloon.

 

I would try to make sure my hotel was close to the cruise terminal, to avoid any issues getting there in the morning.

I will double check to see if I can find closer accommodations as I believe my hotel is abt 20 minutes from the cruise terminal. 
 

are you by chance indicating I will have to leave Hong Kong to get to the terminal which could put my not having a Visa in jeopardy?

[mom says]

4 minutes ago, JenniferKuhse said:

are you by chance indicating I will have to leave Hong Kong to get to the terminal which could put my not having a Visa in jeopardy?

No worries there. Kowloon is just a different part of Hong Kong- across the harbour from the main part of HK. You can look it up on Google maps. The airport is on Lantau island. The cruise terminal is at the farther end of Kowloon. And Hong Kong is on an island if its own. But all are parts of the Hong Kong territory. Staying in Kowloon makes more sense than staying on HK island.

[JenniferKuhse]

2 minutes ago, mom says said:

No worries there. Kowloon is just a different part of Hong Kong- across the harbour from the main part of HK. You can look it up on Google maps. The airport is on Lantau island. The cruise terminal is at the farther end of Kowloon. And Hong Kong is on an island if its own. But all are parts of the Hong Kong territory. Staying in Kowloon makes more sense than staying on HK island.

Thank you for that breakdown!!! It is greatly appreciated. I’ve checked and my hotel is actually on the island next to the peak. I will do some research and look to move to Kowloon. 
 

is transportation easiest via Uber? It appears as if they utilize this service. I’m not looking to use much public transportation as it will just be me with multiple suitcases. 

[SRF]

2 hours ago, JenniferKuhse said:

I will double check to see if I can find closer accommodations as I believe my hotel is abt 20 minutes from the cruise terminal. 
 

are you by chance indicating I will have to leave Hong Kong to get to the terminal which could put my not having a Visa in jeopardy?

 

No, I am not.

 

I was just looking to see where the cruise terminal was.  To see if you could get from the airport to the cruise terminal without going through the heart of the city.  And there are options if one route is closed.   But the morning of, if you are at a hotel in the city, it could be a bit more of a mess.

 

But one protest, they did stop traffic in and out of the airport, but found that caused public opinion to shift against them.  So they probably will not do that again.

[SRF]

1 hour ago, mom says said:

No worries there. Kowloon is just a different part of Hong Kong- across the harbour from the main part of HK. You can look it up on Google maps. The airport is on Lantau island. The cruise terminal is at the farther end of Kowloon. And Hong Kong is on an island if its own. But all are parts of the Hong Kong territory. Staying in Kowloon makes more sense than staying on HK island.

 

Absolutely.  It would be nuts to stay on Hong Kong Island.

 

I would stay on Kowloon side, and towards the cruise terminal from the center.

 

[FlyerTalker]

Take the Airport Express train, to either Kowloon or Hong Kong station.   Fast and easy.

 

The MTR website details the various shuttle bus services that go from either station to various hotels.  That way, you have one ticket from HKG to hotel.