Shenzhen 5-Day Visa on Arrival
The Shenzhen 5-day visa on arrival, also known as Shenzhen 5-day VOA, enables tourists from most countries to stay in Shenzhen for up to 5 days without applying for a regular visa. During the 5 days, tourists cannot leave Shenzhen for other mainland Chinese cities.
Note that Shenzhen VOA can neither be extended nor converted. Holders should leave China before it expires. The 5 days start counting from 00:00 the day following the entry date.
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| Shenzhen 5-day visa on arrival (Sample) |
Do I Need a Visa to Go to Shenzhen?
Foreigners need a visa to go to Shenzhen unless they qualify for the 24-hour visa-free transit or they come from countries that have reached visa waiver agreements with China. The good thing is that citizens of most countries can apply for a Shenzhen visa on arrival.
Can I Get a Visa on Arrival in Shenzhen? - See Who Are Eligible
1. Most European and developed countries are eligible for the five-day VOA, including US, UK, Canada, French, Australia, Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
2. Visitors can also refer to the eligible countries of 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Generally, travelers from these countries can get the Shenzhen VOA.
3. For those beyond the above lists, it doesn’t mean that you are not able to get the 5-day visa but it does have a high risk of being rejected. Thus for a smooth trip, it is suggested to obtain a China visa in advance from the local embassy.
4. Tourists who have been granted a Chinese visa previously will benefit your 5-day VOA application but it is not guaranteed.
Note: The list is subject to changes. Citizens of countries not mentioned can also contact the relevant Chinese embassy or port to ask if they can apply for the Shenzhen visa on arrival.
Can US Citizens Apply for Visa on Arrival in Shenzhen?
Yes. According to the latest news, US citizens can apply for the five-day VOA in Shenzhen.
Where to Get the VOA?
The five-day VOA is available at Luohu (Lo Wu) Port, Shenzhen Airport, Huanggang Port, Shekou Port and Fuyong Port. There is no office at Futian Port although it is only a few hundred meters from Huanggang Port.
| Ports | VOA Office Opening Hours | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen Airport | 9:00 - 17:00 | (0755)23459289 |
| Luohu Port | 9:00 - 16:30 | (0755)82324022 |
| Huanggang Port | 9:00 - 16:30 | (0755)83391060 |
| Shekou Port | 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30 | (0755)26691202 |
How to Apply for the VOA & How Long Does It Take?
1. Show your valid passport. The five-day VOA is a sticker pasted on the passport like a regular visa. Hence, there must be at least one blank page in the applicant's passport.
2. Complete the application form when you are at the port.
3. The officer will take a photo of you after you hand over your passport and application form.
4. Pay for the VOA (in Chinese RMB); there is a window for currency exchange.
In most cases, people can get the visa within ten minutes.
In most cases, people can get the visa within ten minutes.
How Much Does a Shenzhen Visa Cost?
Visa fees shall be paid in RMB Yuan (CNY) in the cashless form, like credit cards, Alipay and WeChat Pay. It costs CNY 275 per person for citizens from countries without reciprocal arrangements. For those from countries with reciprocal arrangements, please refer to the following list. Generally, US passport holders need to pay CNY 1,295, and Canadian passport holders need to pay CNY 541 while it costs CNY 834 for the UK passport holders.
| Country | Visa Fee (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 550 |
| Uzbekistan | 559 |
| Israel | 195 |
| Maldives | Free |
| Botswana | 932 |
| Burundi | 657 |
| Benin | 772 |
| Congo (Brazzaville) | 586 |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 816 |
| Gabon | 559 |
| Cameroon | 657 |
| Cote d'Ivoire | 807 |
| Liberia | 657 |
| Lesotho | 861 |
| Madagascar | 763 |
| Mauritania | 878 |
| Mozambique | 825 |
| Namibia | 665 |
| Uganda | 763 |
| Angola | 1,109 |
| Ghana | 692 |
| Bulgaria | 550 |
| North Macedonia | 603 |
| Roumania | 523 |
| Serbia | 18 |
| The United Kingdom | 834 |
| Belarus | Free for those under 16; CNY 275 for others |
| Albania | Free |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Free |
| New Zealand | 736 |
| Federated states of Micronesia | Free |
| United States of America | 1,295 |
| Canada | 541 |
| Panama | 417 |
| Venezuela | 665 |
| Argentina | 1,038 |
| Brazil | 985 |
| Chile | Free for F, L, M, Q2, S2 visas; CNY 275 for others |
What Can You Do During the 5 Days?
Visiting Splendid China - Folk Culture Villages will provide tourists an opportunity to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture. Happy Valley and Window of the World are the perfect places to relax and be entertained. Dameisha Beach and Xiaomeisha Beach will not disappoint tourists for the fascinating coastline scenery.
Besides, tourists can taste the delicious morning tea and Cantonese cuisine in Shenzhen. Businessmen can engage in some commercial activities and make a short business trip within the 5 days.
Besides, tourists can taste the delicious morning tea and Cantonese cuisine in Shenzhen. Businessmen can engage in some commercial activities and make a short business trip within the 5 days.
FAQ about Shenzhen 5-Day Visa on Arrival
1. Can I travel back and forth from HK to Shenzhen daily on this visa or do I need to apply each time？
The 5-day VOA is for single entry only, so you need to apply for it each time.
2. May I apply for Shenzhen VOA beforehand or through a travel agent?
No, you cannot. You cannot use a travel agent and you need to apply for it at the border crossing upon arrival on your own.
Further Reading: China Visa on Arrival
The 5-day VOA is for single entry only, so you need to apply for it each time.
2. May I apply for Shenzhen VOA beforehand or through a travel agent?
No, you cannot. You cannot use a travel agent and you need to apply for it at the border crossing upon arrival on your own.
Further Reading: China Visa on Arrival- Last updated on Apr. 23, 2024 by Kate Liu -
Questions & Answers on Visa on Arrival
Asked by CC from USA | Apr. 24, 2024 01:27
Reply
ReplyUSA passport holder
USA passport holder get 5 days permit at Lo Wu. FEE?? Is 6 days visa free option needs to pay FEE as well? Can I get high speed train from HK to China?
Answers (2)
Answered by Rita | Apr. 24, 2024 20:11
0
0Reply
00ReplyShenzhen VOA for US passport holders is CNY 1,295. The 144-hour visa free transit is free to apply. You cannot take high speed train from HK if you want to apply for the VOA or the 144. Note that to apply for the 144, you can only fly into Guangdong and need to hold a ticket (flihgt, ferry, train, bus) to leave.
Answered by Borut | Apr. 25, 2024 00:0900Reply
00ReplyA fee for 5 day Shenzhen VOA for US citizens is exactly 1,295 CNY because of the reciprocity between two countries. You can use Lo Wu (Luohu) border crossing to obtain VOA. Please, just have in mind the detail about the visa office opening hours: 9:00 - 16:30. It is very important to know that Lo Wu (Luohu) is quite congested because it handles the most applicants for this visa, so arrival before 09:00 is essential. In order to avoid the queues I usually suggest taking Shekou border crossing by taking the first morning ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou port in Shenzhen. Shekou port opening hours: 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30.
You cannot use visa free transit option when traveling overland from Hong Kong to Shenzhen and back. Only VOA is available.
You cannot take high speed train because there is no visa office at West Kowloon trains station because there are both Hong Kong and mainland Chinese immigration and customs authorities are located and they do not have a visa office there. However, you can take high speed train after your stay in Shenzhen for your travel back to Hong Kong.
You cannot use visa free transit option when traveling overland from Hong Kong to Shenzhen and back. Only VOA is available.
You cannot take high speed train because there is no visa office at West Kowloon trains station because there are both Hong Kong and mainland Chinese immigration and customs authorities are located and they do not have a visa office there. However, you can take high speed train after your stay in Shenzhen for your travel back to Hong Kong.
Asked by Dom from AUSTRALIA | Apr. 23, 2024 07:26Reply
ReplyTravelling to Shenzhen on an Australian passport
I'm trying to find out the cost for a 5 day visa if I travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen by Train? It doesn't mention the cost of the visa for an Australian passport in the above list.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Answers (2)
Answered by Borut | Apr. 24, 2024 00:3600Reply
00ReplyDom, you cannot take a train, at least not a high speed, direct train from Hong Kong to Shenzhen if you plan to apply and obtain 5 day Shenzhen VOA. You can use two overland border crossings (Lo Wu and Huanggang) and a sea border crossing in Shekou in Shenzhen. By far the best option is to use the latter because the visa office in Shekou is least congested. You are advised to take the first morning ferry from Hong Kong and to take care of the opening hours of Shekou visa office: 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30.
The price for Australian citizens is 275 CNY.
After your stay in Shenzhen, you can return back to Hong Kong by using any border crossing and any mean of transport, high speed train included.
The price for Australian citizens is 275 CNY.
After your stay in Shenzhen, you can return back to Hong Kong by using any border crossing and any mean of transport, high speed train included.
Answered by Dom | Apr. 24, 2024 23:3500Reply
00ReplyHi there and thank you so much for the clarification!
Asked by Achille from FRANCE | Apr. 20, 2024 14:21Reply
ReplyHow to get Visa as a French citizen to visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong?
Hello,
I'm going to visit Hong Kong next month and I'd love to visit Shenzhen too. What's the best way and process to ask for the visa 5Days as French passport holder? Thank you.
I'm going to visit Hong Kong next month and I'd love to visit Shenzhen too. What's the best way and process to ask for the visa 5Days as French passport holder? Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Apr. 22, 2024 00:0600Reply
00ReplyAchille, this is so simple for French citizens... Just take a high speed train from West Kowloon station in Hong Kong to Shenzhen. You do not need any kind of visa because French citizens can enter mainland China absolutely visa free for up to 15 days. You will just fill out arrival/departure card that you will find at West Kowloon station and have it with you, along with your passport. You should also know that you are not limited to Shenzhen only, but you can travel in every single part of China absolutely visa free.
Asked by Fred from RUSSIA | Apr. 20, 2024 10:55Reply
Reply5 days visa in Shekou for Russian citizens
Can I obtain a VOR as a russian citizen coming from HK, going to Shenzhen and/or Guangzhou for canton fair?
Answers (2)
Answered by Borut | Apr. 21, 2024 23:5900Reply
00ReplyFred, you can apply and obtain a 5 day Shenzhen VOA at Shekou without any problem. This visa allows you to stay within Shenzhen city limits for 5 days, however, this visa does not allow you to travel to Guangzhou! If you plan to travel to both Shenzhen and Guangzhou, you will have to obtain a Chinese visa in advance. There is an option of 144 hour visa free transit if you want to do the following:
- Take a direct flight from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
- Enjoy the entire Guangdong province (Guangzhou, Shenzhen and many other places) for 144 hours under 144 hour visa free transit
- Exit Guangdong province from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau by ferry
- After you have reached Macau, you can return to Hong Kong
As you can see this is doable without any visa, but you have to strictly follow the sequences of travel that I have described. Also, if you decide to do this, you will have to buy your ferry ticket before your departure from Hong Kong through TurboJet website, print out that ticket and take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
By the way, if you decide to travel to Shekou, just be aware of the opening hours of Shekou visa office: 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30... So, plan accordingly.
- Take a direct flight from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
- Enjoy the entire Guangdong province (Guangzhou, Shenzhen and many other places) for 144 hours under 144 hour visa free transit
- Exit Guangdong province from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau by ferry
- After you have reached Macau, you can return to Hong Kong
As you can see this is doable without any visa, but you have to strictly follow the sequences of travel that I have described. Also, if you decide to do this, you will have to buy your ferry ticket before your departure from Hong Kong through TurboJet website, print out that ticket and take exactly that ferry you have bought your ticket for.
By the way, if you decide to travel to Shekou, just be aware of the opening hours of Shekou visa office: 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30... So, plan accordingly.
Answered by Jess | Apr. 25, 2024 23:0400Reply
00ReplyHi,
May I ask do you know the fee for Russian passport holders to apply VOA at shekou to enter ShenZhen?
May I ask do you know the fee for Russian passport holders to apply VOA at shekou to enter ShenZhen?
Asked by evelyn from JAPAN | Apr. 18, 2024 18:01Reply
ReplyVOA for Japan Passport
Can I apply for visa on arrival in Shenzhen if I am a Japan passport holder and coming from Hong kong ?
How much the VOA fee?
How much the VOA fee?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Apr. 19, 2024 10:3600Reply
00ReplyYes, you can apply and obtain 5 day Shenzhen VOA at three designated border crossings (Huanggang, Lo Wu and Shekou), the best being Shekou in Shenzhen where you can arrive by taking a ferry from Hong Kong and that is the least crowded of three mentioned. Please, be careful about the opening hours of visa offices. The price of VOA for Japanese citizens is 275 CNY. When you return to Hong Kong you can take any border crossing and any mean of transport, high speed train included.