Going to shanghai

Question

Travelling from London to shanghai overnight then picking up a 7 day cruise then back to shanghai for 7 nts do I need a visa ? Getting confused!!

Answer

Whether you need a visa for Shanghai depends on the timing of your entry and the type of travel you are doing. Based on your description, here’s a detailed breakdown:

Scenario 1: Overnight stay before the cruise

If you are flying from London and arriving in Shanghai overnight just to board your cruise the next day, you may qualify for the 144-hour visa-free transit (for Shanghai) provided you meet all conditions:

You are a citizen of a country eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit (UK citizens are eligible).
Your entry point is Shanghai (Pudong or Hongqiao airport or certain ports).
You have confirmed onward travel to a third country (in this case, your cruise departing Shanghai counts as the onward trip, since the ship will leave Chinese waters to another country).
Your stay is within 144 hours (6 days), which is well within your overnight stay before the cruise.

Scenario 2: Returning to Shanghai for 7 nights after the cruise

After completing your 7-day cruise, if you plan to stay in Shanghai for 7 nights, the 144-hour transit visa exemption will not cover this period because it exceeds 6 days and you are returning to China. In this case, you will need a proper Chinese tourist visa (L visa) issued in advance.

Summary of your visa requirements:

Before the cruise: 144-hour visa-free transit can be used for your overnight stay.
After the cruise: You need a standard Chinese tourist visa for a 7-night stay in Shanghai.

Additional tips:

Ensure your cruise ticket is documented, as immigration may ask for proof of onward travel when using the visa-free transit.
Apply for a tourist visa in advance for your post-cruise stay to avoid any complications.
Check your passport validity; it should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.

In conclusion, you can enter Shanghai for your overnight stay using the 144-hour visa-free transit, but for your extended 7-night stay after the cruise, you must obtain a standard Chinese tourist visa before arrival.