China Visa Waiver Program

[Wanderlust_tim]

Hi all,
I have recently booked a Oneworld 140,000k redemption and as a part of this I am visiting Shanghai. My flights are as follows:

26 August: HKG-PVG on Cathay Pacific
29 August: PVG-LHR on British Airways

The two flights are on the one booking reference but am I eligible for the 72 hr visa waiver on arrival in Shanghai? Or am ineligible because it is two separate airlines?

Cheers
Wanderlust_tim

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,
I have recently booked a Oneworld 140,000k redemption and as a part of this I am visiting Shanghai. My flights are as follows:

26 August: HKG-PVG on Cathay Pacific
29 August: PVG-LHR on British Airways

The two flights are on the one booking reference but am I eligible for the 72 hr visa waiver on arrival in Shanghai? Or am ineligible because it is two separate airlines?

Cheers
Wanderlust_tim

There are no more 72 hour TWOV at PVG, but you can get a 144 hour TWOV (6 days). Separate airlines, even separate tickets makes no difference to eligibility.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

There are no more 72 hour TWOV at PVG, but you can get a 144 hour TWOV (6 days). Separate airlines, even separate tickets makes no difference to eligibility.

This is great news. Thank you MEL_Traveller

 

[Foreigner]

This blog provides comprehensive info about visa on arrival:

http://upgrd.com/pursuedadventures/how-to-visit-china-without-a-visa.html

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This blog provides comprehensive info about visa on arrival:

How to Visit China Without a Visa (updated 9/8/16) - Pursued Adventures

It's a reasonable start, but leaves out important details about the calculation of TWOV timing. The 144-hour TWOV is calculated from the day after arrival for example, as are around half of the 72-hour TWOV cities. This essentially gives you an extra day in those cities which is pretty substantial given flight timings. There's also a 24-hour TWOV.

Advance notification of intended use of TWOV is not required. This is done at the airport as part of the check-in process.