Port basics
- IATA / port code: SHA
- City: Shanghai
- Province: Shanghai
- Type: International airport
- 240h status: Eligible for entry and exit
- Sister ports in the same metro: PVG
240h transit port · Air · Shanghai
SHA Shanghai: 240-hour visa-free transit port
Shanghai Hongqiao Intl is one of the 65 designated 240h visa-free transit ports. Use it for entry, exit, or both — policy snapshot 2026-05-18.
Arrival tip
Shanghai Hongqiao is smaller and closer to the city than PVG. International arrivals are limited to selected Asian regional routes (Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei). Same CDAC and immigration flow as PVG but lines are typically shorter. From Hongqiao, central Shanghai is reachable in 30-45 minutes by metro.
Don't forget: complete the Digital Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing.
Onward transport from SHA
- Metro Lines 2 and 10 from terminal — ¥4-7 to central Shanghai
- Taxi to the Bund / Jing'an — ~¥80-120, 30-45 minutes
- HSR to Hangzhou / Suzhou / Nanjing from co-located Hongqiao Railway Station — direct
Accessible provinces from this port
Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang.
The list above reflects what's practical by direct transport from SHA. Some eligible regions are city-limited under the official table; run the checker and verify the exact cities before booking.
Check your route through SHA
The check below has SHA pre-filled as your China entry port. Adjust the other fields to fit your trip.
240h Transit Eligibility CheckBased on NIA policy as of 2026-05-18
YES · Likely compatibleShanghai
HK / Macau / Taiwan count as separate regions, so they are valid third-region exits. Exit by HSR to West Kowloon (WKL) counts.
Rule detail
240h transit checks
Passport eligible for 240h transit
PassUnited States is on the 55-country 240h list.
Entry port is a listed 240h port
PassShanghai Hongqiao Intl (SHA, Shanghai) is on the 65-port list.
Stay is 240 hours or less
PassCalculated stay: about 119 hours (5 days).
A → China → B route shape (different countries/regions)
PassSFO (United States) → China → ICN (South Korea).
Hong Kong / Macau / Taiwan handled correctly
PassYour route does not involve HK/Macau/Taiwan. (These would count as third regions if used.)
Exit mode (air / rail / sea) is supported
PassExit by air to a third country/region — standard 240h exit path.
Planned regions are inside the 24 eligible provinces
PassPlanned regions: Shanghai.
City-level stay-area caveats checked
PassNo special city-level stay-area caveats for the provinces selected.
Onward destination is not inside mainland China
PassOnward leg is outside mainland China — correct.
Airline counter risk
Boarding proof check
Low airline-counter risk: standard proof should be enough.
Your route shape and ticket proof are easy for airline staff to verify. Still print the Boarding Kit and onward ticket.
What to say at check-in
I'm using China's 240-hour visa-free transit. Here is the NIA policy excerpt, my route, and my confirmed onward transport to a third country or region. Could you verify the Timatic override condition?
If the agent hesitates
Could a supervisor or international policy desk verify the China 240-hour transit override in Timatic? My itinerary is A to mainland China to a different country/region within 240 hours.
Carry these at airline check-in
- Printed Boarding Kit with NIA policy QR code.
- Printed onward ticket to a different country/region within 240 hours.
- Hotel booking or host address in China, preferably with Chinese address.
- CDAC reference or QR code if already submitted.
Recommended next steps
Book a first-night hotel with a usable Chinese address for the Arrival Card, airline counter, and Boarding Kit.
Find hotels on Trip.com →Activate data before takeoff so CDAC, maps, translation, and ride-share work immediately.
Get a China eSIM →Install and test before departure — most VPN download pages are blocked after landing.
Install NordVPN →Sponsored · we may earn a commission if you book.