Chinese Visas

[ballpointbob]

Just read in telegraph.co.uk on 29/9/16 that, as of 1/10/16, cruise passengers will no longer need a visa for visiting shanghai/hong kong. Also reported online in Shanghai Daily News. Just posting this as I was about to shell out £300 for a pair.

We are not departing until January and hopefully the cruise line information desks will be up to speed on this development before then. Any other info let us all know.

Cheers.

[John Bull]

Yep, well worth posting that news.:)

 

Just to fill in a couple of gaps..........

 

Brits have never needed a visa to visit Hong Kong.

 

I believe the Shanghai dispensation to cruisers only applies to those taking tours with approved local tour operators, similar to the arrangements in St Petersburg.

So it would not surprise me if cruise lines try to hoodwink passengers with craftily-phrased web-pages & literature suggesting that they don't need a visa if they take ship's excursions.

 

The Shanghai dispensation appears to be similar to the dispensation first granted a few years ago to cruise passengers visiting Hainan (eg the port of Sanya)

 

JB :)

[ballpointbob]

Yes you are right about the organised tours. Have looked on the Chinese immigration website and that is the case. Still waiting for confirmation from UK sources.