China Visa-free Stay Now Available for Cruise Travel Entering Through Shanghai

Foreign travel groups entering China through Shanghai ports would be granted a visa-free stay in 11 provinces for up to 15 days. Taking effect on 1st Oct, this visa waiver aims to boost cruise tourism and industries like catering and transport by attracting more overseas visitors.

The proportion of overseas passengers through Shanghai's international cruise terminals used to be low, despite the city's zoomed passenger volume. This had been largely attributed to China's previous visa restriction - cruise foreigners were allowed a mere 72-h visa-free onshore stay, which would be far from enough for sightseeing.

Brilliantly lit up, the Bund, one of Shanghai's signature attractions, looks like an iridescent pearl in a dark band

Under the new visa waiver policy, everything would be much easier for visitors from the US, Australia, New Zealand; some European countries like the UK, France, Spain, and Germany will also benefit from this lifted restriction.

According to Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection, without needing a visa, foreign travel groups (each composed of 2 people or above) entering China through Shanghai Port or Wusong International Cruise Terminal would be granted visa-free group entry and a visa-free group sojourn up to 15 days (counting from the following day of entry). During this period, travelers can check out Shanghai, Beijing, and other seaboard provinces, including Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Tourists must stay within a city municipality and adhere to the itinerary arranged by authorized travel agencies.

For your reference, we have off-the-peg package tours which could fit into your onshore schedule perfectly:

1. 7-Day: A Tale of Two Cities (Beijing - Shanghai)

Shrouded in an aura of authority, Beijing's imposing Forbidden City will provide you with first-hand experience of ancient Chinese royalty.

2. 6-Day: East China Garden and Water Town Tour (Shanghai - Hangzhou)

If you have more places on your sightseeing list, you can also apply for a port visa to enter China, allowing you to travel throughout China without worrying about the location limit.

It is also very easy to apply for a port of entry visa. With the paperwork of your itinerary, the list of group names, the hotel booking confirmation and your return flight booking information, it usually takes about 2-3 days for the visa application to be ready. You will receive your original copy of the port visa after a 3-day DHL delivery.

It should be noted that your port of arrival is only valid at the destination for the port visa processed. For example, if you apply for a Shanghai port visa, then Shanghai port is the only port of entry, other ports of entry will be refused. Travelers must enter China on a port visa within 15 days of the date of issue and you can stay in China for up to 30 days. A new application for an extension is required if you wish to make your visit longer.

Besides, you can choose any available destinations freely and have a private tour tailor-made by us.