Notice concerning 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption for Foreign Nationals Measure at Airports of Shanghai

The measure of 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption for Foreign Nationals for citizens from 45 countries destined for a third country (region) with booked connecting flight goes into force as of 1st January 2013 at the ports of entry of the airports in Shanghai. During the visa exemption period, the passenger is allowed to move around within the administration precincts of Shanghai municipality.

1.Foreign nationals have to meet below requirements to apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption at ports of entry in Shanghai.

There are 3 requirements: 1) Citizens from the 45 countries under the 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption Program; 2) Foreign nationals with valid international traveling documents and air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country (region) traveling within 72 hours; 3) Transit passengers from Pudong or Hongqiao Airports of Shanghai for a third country (region).

2.Travelers from 45 countries may apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption. which are: 1) 24 Schengen countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, Poland,Portugal, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. 2) 7 other European ountries: Russia, Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. 6 American countries: The United States,Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile. 4) 2 Oceanian countries: Australia and New Zealand. 5) 6 Asian countries: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

3.A foreign national that meets the requirements may submit his/her request to the airline company that carries him/her to Shanghai and the airline company or the passenger him/herself shall make the application to the border control authorities of the airports that shall grant a temporary entry of a passenger meeting the requirements for transit visa exemption upon verification.

4.According to the requirements, a foreign national applying for the 72-hour transit visa exemption must hold the air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat, i.e., the exit air ticket is already in place before entry. Therefore, this facilitation measure does not apply to a foreign national that does not have a confirmed air ticket for a connecting flight leaving within 72 hours.

5.According to the requirements, the 72-hour transit visa exemption measure is for a foreign national passing through Shanghai for a third country or region. Therefore this measure does not apply to a passenger traveling from New York, USA, and stopping over at Shanghai on his/her way to Los Angeles,USA.

6.A foreign national obtaining the 72-hour transit visa exemption at the airports of Shanghai may not leave the administrative precincts of Shanghai. In case of need to leave the precinct for some special reason,the passenger must apply for a visa to the exit-entry administration department of the municipal public security authorities of Shanghai as required by the law.

7.A foreign national having the 72-hour transit visa exemption should leave China within the permitted time.In case of special need to stay longer than 72 hours, the passenger should apply for the relevant visa to the exit-entry administration department of the municipal public security authorities of Shanghai before leaving China as required by the law.

In case a foreign national fails to apply for the required visa, he or she shall be dealt with in accordance with the law for illegal residence in China by the exit-entry administration department of the public security authorities or border control station of the location where such an act is found. The border control authorities are entitled to deny his or her application for the 72-hour transit visa exemption via an airline company the next time because of such a breach.

8.In case you have more questions concerning this measure, you may make an inquiry with the border control authorities of the ports of entry in Shanghai or leave a message under the column of Asking Questions to the Police on the website of the Ministry of Public Security. Contact phone of the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection: 021-51105100. Website of the Ministry of Public Security: www.mps.gov.cn.