Asian visa requirements for US citizens

[MimiPapi]

Hi there, hoping to get some information from those recently back from cruises departing and returned from/to Shanghai with ports of call in Japan only.

As US citizens, it appears we should be eligible for a 144 hour free visa for China since we're flying from the US to Shanghai and then leaving on the cruise to Japan within the 144 hour window. Coming back, we're entering Shanghai from Japan on the ship and departing on a flight that day back to the US. Does anyone have experience to share? Also, I assume we don't need Japanese visas in advance since tourist visas should be provided at the ports of call, correct? thanks in advance your any insight!

[easyboy]

US citizens with valid passport have visa-free stay in japan up to 60 days

 

 

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[Hlitner]

If you have a valid US Passport (with one blank page) you do not need a visa to enter Japan as a tourist (for up to 90 days) per the latest info from the US Department of State web site.. As to China, we wouldn't touch that issue with a 10 foot bamboo poll. Just saw another post where folks had some problems on a flight from Japan to Shanghai. With China one just follows the rules and hopes for the best :(. But here is the current issue from our Dept of State:

 

Transiting China:

 

When transiting certain international airports, you may stay in mainland China without a Chinese visa.

The duration of allowed stay and how broadly you may travel varies by region.

Transiting without a visa requires a valid passport, a visa for your onward destination (if necessary), and an onward ticket from the same location.

You must inform your airline upon check-in, and get an endorsement stamp at the immigration desk before leaving the airport.

Consult the Chinese Embassy/consulate for a current list of eligible airports and more detailed guidance.

 

Good luck. As you can see, our State Department does not address cruise ship related issues. China often makes things difficult, but we do love traveling in China. There new policy does seem like an attempt to simplify things (and save some visitors Visa fees)...but sometimes it just seems to fall a bit short.

 

Hank

[awestover89]

Personally for China I strongly recommend getting the Visa. You should qualify for the 144 hour Visa free stay as one US - China - Japan trip and one Japan - China - US trip, but the stress and worry that an immigration agent wouldn't understand the airfare/cruise rules would freak me out too much to enjoy the trip. The Chinese FAQ does specifically say entering by plane and leaving by cruise is allowed, so you should be fine. It's really just a matter of if the peace of mind is worth the cost of the Visa.

 

We just got back from a Shanghai to Japan cruise and opted to get the Visas. I would have been terrified of trying to explain our plans to a Chinese immigration official and not being able to get them to understand that it would have ruined our vacation. The cost of the Visas (we went through an agency that handled everything, so it was a bit more than normal) was well worth it for me to not feel worried and stressed. The Visa is also a nice (if pricey) souvenir, imo.

 

Japan you are fine without a Visa. Make sure you bring a photocopy of your passport; the ship will attach a landing permit sticker to the photocopy and you have to have that paper with sticker on hand to get off and back on the ship at the Japanese ports.