China Visitor Tools

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Through Shanghai

Shanghai is the easiest transit base in China: two airports plus a seaport, and Suzhou and Hangzhou - both in full-scope provinces - within an hour by train.

The facts for Shanghai

Designated entry / exit ports in Shanghai

  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)
  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (Shanghai)
  • Shanghai Seaport (passenger) (Shanghai)

Where you may travel

The whole of Shanghai is inside the permitted area, and you may combine it with any of the other 23 covered regions on the same permit.

Check your exact route

Enter your nationality, ports, cities and flight times into the free checker - it applies the same rule data as this page and tells you, rule by rule, whether your route is legal.

Check my route via Shanghai

Mistakes that break trips here

  • Booking the onward flight from a different airport in the same city without checking the clock. Changing between Pudong and Hongqiao eats hours; your 240 hours run from 00:00 the day after arrival regardless.
  • Flying in from Hong Kong and back to Hong Kong. Same-region round trips fail the third-country rule; one of the two legs must involve somewhere else.
  • Assuming you must leave from Shanghai. You can exit from any of the 65 designated ports - many travellers leave from Shenzhen or Guangzhou to Hong Kong.
  • Planning to work remotely for your employer during the stay. Tourism, business visits and family visits are covered; work is not, and neither are study or journalism.

FAQ

Which Shanghai ports are designated?

Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) and the Shanghai seaport for passenger ships. Enter and exit ports do not have to match.

Can I day-trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou?

Yes. Jiangsu (Suzhou) and Zhejiang (Hangzhou) are both full-scope provinces in the scheme, so day trips and overnights there are inside your permitted area.

Can I exit to Hong Kong at the end?

Yes. Hong Kong counts as a third region for this rule. Popular exits are a flight from Shanghai, or high-speed rail via Shenzhen using the West Kowloon Station port.

How much time do I actually get?

240 hours counted from 00:00 on the day after you enter. Land on Monday afternoon and you must be out by 00:00 on the Friday of the following week - roughly 11 calendar days including arrival day.

Do I need to apply for anything before I fly?

No application and no fee. Bring a passport with at least 3 months' validity and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region; the temporary entry permit is issued at immigration on arrival.