Do 24 hour China Visa requirements apply to cruise ships?

Do 24 hour China Visa requirements apply to cruise ships?
Jan 4, 2017 19:30
guest69142	We are on a cruise which stops at only one port, Xiamin, in mainland China, and only for 12 hours. It then heads to Singapore. The cruise line says we need a Visa for this visit, whether or not we leave the ship. There seems to some ambiguity here. Do the 24 hr visa free requirements apply to transit only via an airport, or do they also apply to transit via a cruise port? Is the cruise company correct? We are Australians.

Jan 4, 2017 19:30

guest69142

We are on a cruise which stops at only one port, Xiamin, in mainland China, and only for 12 hours. It then heads to Singapore. The cruise line says we need a Visa for this visit, whether or not we leave the ship. There seems to some ambiguity here. Do the 24 hr visa free requirements apply to transit only via an airport, or do they also apply to transit via a cruise port? Is the cruise company correct? We are Australians.

Jan 4, 2017 23:48	#1
GUEST21107	If you enter Xiamen from a country and then leave for a different country, you qualify for the 24hrs direct transit.The 24hrs direct transit is applicable to cruise passengers.

Jan 5, 2017 04:19	#2
GUEST67155	Thanks. We are sailing from Hong Kong to Xiamen. Hong Kong, is not regarded as mainland China for visa purposes, but is there a technicality in relation to the 24 hr visa conditions? We leave Xiamen for the Philippines.

Jan 5, 2017 19:37	#3
GUEST04154	HK is regarded as a third region when speaking of the 24 hour direct transit, so if you travel like that, you can enjoy the 24 hour direct transit in Xiamen. Nice trip.

Jan 6, 2017 02:10	#4
GUEST65218	Ok. Thanks for this, but I am thinking that one of the differences between an airport and a seaport is that at the airport passengers are confined to the transit area and not allowed outside. On a cruise, passengers like us may want to leave the boat and wander the city for a day. Is this the reason the regulations re direct transit seem more applicable to airports?

Jan 6, 2017 03:52	#5
GUESTJUDY	Actually, as long as you meet the requirement for the 24 hour direct transit, no matter you enter via airport or ship, you can apply for a free temporary stay permit, and then go to the city for a visit.

Post a Reply to: Do 24 hour China Visa requirements apply to cruise ships?