PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
We recommend that all guests obtain a visa for China. While there are some visa-free options available,
China maintains a complicated visa regime and all requirements must be met. Should you fail to obtain a
visa and not satisfy the requirements to enter and exit China visa-free, you could face fines or be denied
entry to China. More than one exemption may be applicable to your voyage.
Please verify your passport validity. China requires passports to be valid for six (6) months beyond the
date of arrival.
U.S. passport holders with at least one year validity left on their passport may automatically be issued a
multi entry visa by the Chinese Consulate.
If you have chosen to extend your time in Shanghai prior to embarkation, visa requirements may differ
from the requirements of your cruise. You must verify the requirements for staying longer and secure a
visa if required for an extended stay before travel.
***If Shanghai is at the beginning or end of your cruise- 144 hour policy may apply***
144 Hour Visa Exemption Policy for embarkation/disembarkation in Shanghai- A visa for China is
required unless qualifying for the 144 hour visa exemption.
Guests with a traditional visa will be free to travel in China. The Chinese visa must be obtained prior to
sailing, are not available upon arrival and must be valid until departure from China.
If you are embarking i
n China and plan to use the 144 hour visa exemption, all of the following
requirements must be met:
1. Y
ou must hold a passport from one of the 53 countries whose citizens are eligible for this
exemption.
2. You must arrive in China within 144 hours of the ships departure.
3. You must remain within the Yangtze River Delta Region this entire time, which means you must
arrive at one of the following airports-
a. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
b. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
c. Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
4. Y
ou must fly directly to China from a country other than the first country visited on your cruise,
even if you are not changing planes or leaving the airport. Transits through Hong Kong are
per
mitted.
F
or example, if you are flying to Shanghai from Los Angeles and Japan is the first country visited
on your cruise:
• A flight from Los Angeles to Beijing to Shanghai is not allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo to Shanghai is not allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Shanghai is allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Taipei to Shanghai is allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai is allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Beijing is not allowed
If you have booked air through Seabourn and are planning to use the 144 hour visa exemption and your
flights do not meet the requirements, please contact us to review your options.
If you have booked your own air you must advise your airline of your intent to travel to China without a
visa.
The Shanghai immigration inspection authority has set up dedicated inspection lanes for those using the
144 hour visa exemption within the entry inspection areas at all ports of entry. If you are eligible for the
exemption you will need to provide the immigration officer with your passport and onward tickets leaving
China within 144 hours. Once immigration confirms that you qualify for the exemption, they will process
the application.
The immigration station will issue a temporary entry permit to those guests that have been approved for
the exemption. The temporary entry permit will have the deadline for exit and the administrative areas you
will be allowed to visit while in China.
All guests must bring two photocopies of their passport photo page on letter or A4 size paper to cruise
check-in. Guests should also bring two copies of their onward travel arrangements. One will be presented
at check-in, and one must be presented to Chinese immigration authorities along with their passport.
For more information about the 144 hour visa exemption please visit
http://www.sh-
immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4414.
If you are disembarking in China and plan to use the 144 hour visa exemption, all of the following
requirements m
ust be met:
1. Y
ou must hold a passport from one of the 53 countries whose citizens are eligible for this
exemption.
2. You must depart China within 144 hours of the ships arrival.
3. You must remain within the Yangtze River Delta Region during this entire time, which means you
may only fly out of the following airports:
a. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
b. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
c. Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
4. You must fly directly from China to a country other than China or the last country visited on the
cruise. This means that your flight cannot stop over in China or the last port visited on your cruise
prior to arrival to China, before reaching another country. Even if you are not changing planes or
leaving the airport. Transits through Hong Kong are permitted.
For example, if you are flying to Los Angeles from Shanghai and Japan is the last country visited
on your cruise:
• A flight from Shanghai to Beijing to Los Angeles is not allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Tokyo to Los Angeles is not allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong to Los Angeles is allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Taipei to Los Angeles is allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Los Angeles is allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Beijing to Los Angeles is not allowed
If you have booked air through Seabourn and are planning to utilize the 144 hour visa exemption and
your flights do not meet the necessary requirements, you should contact us to review your options.
There are 53 countries eligible for the 144 hour visa exemption: Albania, Argentina, Austria,
Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia,
Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom and
the United States.
If your nationality is not listed above you must obtain a Chinese visa prior to sailing.
All guests must bring two photocopies of their passport photo page on letter or A4 size paper to cruise
check-in. Guests should also bring two copies of their homeward travel arrangements. One will be
presented at check-in, and one must be presented to Chinese immigration authorities along with their
passport when disembarking.
For more information about the 144 hour visa exemption please visit
http://www.sh-
immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4414.
**
*If Shanghai is at the beginning or end of your cruise- 24 hour policy may apply***
24 Hour Visa Exemption Policy for embarkation/disembarkation in Shanghai- A visa for China is
required unless qualifying for the 24 hour visa exemption.
Guests with a traditional visa will be free to travel in China. The Chinese visa must be obtained prior to
sailing, are not available upon arrival and must be valid until departure from China.
If you are embarking i
n China and plan to use the 24 hour visa exemption, all of the following
requirements must be met:
1. T
his option is available to all nationalities, and you must physically leave China within 24 hours of
the ships arrival.
2. You must remain within the Yangtze River Delta Region during this entire time, which means you
may only fly out of the following airports:
a. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
b. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
c. Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
3. Y
ou must fly directly to China from a country other than the first country visited on your cruise,
even if you are not changing planes or leaving the airport. Transits through Hong Kong are
per
mitted.
F
or example, if you are flying to Shanghai from Los Angeles and Japan is the first country visited
on your cruise:
• A flight from Los Angeles to Beijing to Shanghai is not allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo to Shanghai is not allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Shanghai is allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Taipei to Shanghai is allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai is allowed
• A flight from Los Angeles to Beijing is not allowed
If you have booked air through Seabourn and are planning to use the 24 hour visa exemption and your
flights do not meet the requirements, please contact us to review your options.
If you have booked your own air you must advise your airline of your intent to travel to China without a
visa.
The Shanghai immigration inspection authority has set up dedicated inspection lanes for those using the
24 hour visa exemption within the entry inspection areas at all ports of entry. If you are eligible for the
exemption you will need to provide the immigration officer with your passport and onward tickets leaving
China within 24 hours. Once immigration confirms that you qualify for the exemption, they will process the
application.
The immigration station will issue a temporary entry permit to those guests that have been approved for
the exemption. The temporary entry permit will have the deadline for exit and the administrative areas you
will be allowed to visit while in China.
All guests must bring two photocopies of their passport photo page on letter or A4 size paper to cruise
check-in. Guests should also bring two copies of their homeward travel arrangements. One will be
presented at check-in, and one must be presented to Chinese immigration authorities along with their
passport.
If you are disembarking i
n China and plan to use the 24 hour visa exemption, all of the following
requirements must be met:
1. T
his option is available to all nationalities, and you must physically leave China within 24 hours of
the ships arrival.
2. You must remain within the Yangtze River Delta Region during this entire time, which means you
may only fly out of the following airports:
a. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
b. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
c. Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
3. You must fly directly from China to a country other than China or the last country visited on the
cruise. This means that your flight cannot stop over in China or the port visited prior to arrival to
China before reaching another country, even if you are not changing planes or leaving the airport.
Transits through Hong Kong are permitted.
For example, if you are flying to Los Angeles from Shanghai and Japan is the last country visited
on your cruise:
• A flight from Shanghai to Beijing to Los Angeles is not allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Tokyo to Los Angeles is not allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong to Los Angeles is allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Taipei to Los Angeles is allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Los Angeles is allowed
• A flight from Shanghai to Beijing to Los Angeles is not allowed
If you have booked air through Seabourn and are planning to use the 24 hour visa exemption and your
flights do not meet the necessary requirements, you should contact us to review your options.
All guests must bring two photocopies of their passport photo page on letter or A4 size paper to cruise
check-in. Guests should also bring two copies of their homeward travel arrangements. One will be
presented at check-in, and one must be presented to Chinese immigration authorities along with their
passport when disembarking.
****If arriving and departing Shanghai with the ship- 15 day visa policy may apply****
Guests arriving and departing Shanghai with the ship should verify if they are eligible for the 15-day visa
exemption by visiting http://www.sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=40&id=4735
. To be eligible
guests must be booked on a tour of two (2) or more persons from Seabourn or from an authorized tour
agency in Shanghai to be permitted to go ashore visa-free.
If booking a private tour you must verify that the travel agency has been approved by Shanghai
immigration inspection authority to facilitate the visa-free entry process. The agency would also be
required to declare to Shanghai immigration inspection authority the passenger manifest of the eligible
tour group prior to arrival. Once approved by Shanghai immigration inspection authority, they would then
undergo the procedures for visa-free entry.
Other ports that may be visited under the 15 day visa exemption are limited to the following-
Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Dalian, Yanti, Qingdao
and Beijing.
*****Visiting Hainan Island (Sanya), China*****
A Chinese visa is required unless you qualify for the exemption below for Sanya, China.
There are 59 nationalities that can travel to Sanya, China visa-free if booked on a shore excursion or tour.
The tour does not have to be a Seabourn Tour but if you are booking a private tour you must verify that
the agency you have booked with provides a list of participants into the visa application system at least 48
hours before the ship arrives in Sanya.
If your nationality is not on the list below you must obtain a Chinese visa prior to sailing. The countries
listed below are not considered visa-free when visiting other areas of China. This applies to Sanya only.
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria,
Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech IA, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia,
Malta, Macedonia, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines,
Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.
*****Applying for a visa for China*****
If you find that the visa exemptions listed above do not apply to your situation you will need to
apply for a regular visa prior to sailing if you wish to go ashore.
Seabourn provides guests with the following link to VisaCentral as a service to assist with the collection of
the necessary documents for this visa. You may also use another visa service or collect the necessary
documents on your own. We are not able to offer assistance with obtaining the Chinese visa onboard the
ship. http://seabourn.visacentral.com
I
f you would like to reach VisaCentral by phone-
US Citizens: 866 788 1100
Canadian Citizens: 888 665 9956
Dutch Citizens: 070 315 0201
German Citizens: 030 230 959 175
Australian Citizens: 1902 251 370
Swiss Citizens: 41 (0) 31 313 20 20
Austrian Citizens: 43 1 22811
United Kingdom Citizens: 0207 593 6207
Brazilian Citizens: 55 (11) 3065-0655
Mexico Citizens: (52-55) 5282 0020
In order to process the visa application, guests will be required to provide an address of a contact in
China. Please use one of the following:
Shanghai-
China Marine Shipping Agency Shanghai Co. LTD (25517)
2F Room 203 Sinotrans Mansion
No. 188 Fujian Zhong Road
Shanghai 200001
China
Phone: +86 13671720189
When applying for the Chinese visa, you will need to provide a copy of your cruise booking confirmation,
airline electronic ticket receipt and any independent tour or hotel arrangements you have booked on your
own. Failure to include these documents may result in significant delays in processing the application.
All Chinese visa applications must be typed electronically by the applicant then printed on A4 paper and
signed. The application form is available as a fillable PDF file in all of the visa packs on VisaCentral’s
website. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. Only section 4 which contains the date and applicants
signature can be handwritten.
For Canadian residents only: All Chinese visa applicants in Canada will need to provide fingerprints in
person at the Visa Application Center in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, or Vancouver. Applicants
may submit fingerprints at the Visa Application Center based on their jurisdiction.
If you will be obtaining your Chinese visa through VisaCentral you will need to gather and send to
VisaCentral the forms, documents, and supporting materials required by China. Once they have received
all of the application materials in their office, they will contact you to book an appointment for fingerprints.
VisaCentral will meet each guest personally before the fingerprint appointment to provide you with the
necessary documents for signature and answer any last-minute questions. After the fingerprints are
taken, the application package will be complete and the Consulate will issue the visa. Processing speeds
at the Consulate are unchanged. Once the visa is issued, VisaCentral will deliver it as they have before.
