Shenzhen 5-Day Visa on Arrival

The Shenzhen 5-day visa on arrival, also known as Shenzhen 5-day VOA, or Shenzhen SEZ Travel Visa, enables tourists to stay in Shenzhen for up to 5 days without applying for a regular visa in advance. 

Note that Shenzhen VOA can neither be extended nor converted. Holders should leave Shenzhen before it expires. The 5 days start counting from 00:00 the day following the entry date. Also during the 5 days, tourists cannot leave Shenzhen for other Chinese mainland cities.

Tourists planning a stay in Shenzhen longer than 5 days or whose travel itinerary contains other Chinese Mainland destinations beyond Shenzhen, should apply for a Chinese visa beforehand.

 Currently, citizens from 77 countries or regions, such as UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, etc., enjoy visa free entry to Chinese Mainland, Shenzhen included. Also, passengers eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit or 24-hour visa free transit can enter Shenzhen without any visa. Those excluded by the above schemes need a visa to visit Shenzhen. 
 All the 3 ports are located between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, easily accessible from Hong Kong by MTR, bus or ferry. Among them, Shekou Port also receives visitors from Macau.
 It’s the first choice for most travelers applying for a Shenzhen visa on arrival. With multiple windows and the most experienced staff at its visa office, Luohu Port gives the highest probability of successfully getting a 5-day Shenzhen visa.

On the other hand, Luo Wu Port is always the busiest one with long queues. It welcomes the most foot traffic around 08:00 – 10:00 and 16:00 – 18:00; avoid these periods if possible.

 How to Get There: It’s a land port between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, connected with Hong Kong by MTR East Rail Line, making it easy for tourists to enter Shenzhen from Hong Kong downtown. In Shenzhen side, metro Line 1 takes passengers from Luohu to other parts of the city conveniently.

Office Hours: 6:30 - 24:00; Application Deadline: 23:30
Phone Number: (0755)82347312
Email: luohuke1688@163.com

Shenzhen 5-day visa on arrival (Sample)

 If you need a late-night entry to Shenzhen, go to Huanggang Port with 24h windows for a 5-day visa. It sees fewer visitors than Lo Wu Port and is only 3.2 km (2 mi) away from Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, thus recommended to business travelers heading to Futian District of Shenzhen.

 How to Get There: 
a. Take Hong Kong MTR East Rail Line to Sheung Shui station → Walk to Sheung Shui bus stop for bus 276B or N73 heading towards San Tin Public Transport Interchange stop → Transfer to free shuttle bus to the exit hall of Huanggang Port Hong Kong side → Go through immigration to leave Hong Kong → Reach the entrance hall of Huanggang Port Shenzhen side by the cross-border bus at HKD 10
b. Or ride a taxi to reach San Tin Public Transport Interchange stop and follow the same steps to reach Huanggang.

Office Hours: 24h daily
Phone Number: (0755)83398811
Email: hgk1688@163.com
 Shekou Cruise Port is the only water border crossing accepting 5-day Shenzhen visa applications. It has the fewest visitors, rarely seeing a long line, making it possible to get the visa in a shortest 15 minutes. 

 How to Get There: Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, SkyPier Terminus of Hong Kong Airport, and Macau Outer Harbor operate ferries to Shekou at present. During high seasons, it would be better to book the ferry tickets in advance. Those transiting at Hong Kong Airport can head to the port directly upon landing without a detour in Hong Kong downtown. 

Office Hours: 7:00 - 22:30; Application Deadline: 22:00
Phone Number: (0755)84395370
Email: szbskk@163.com

 You may need: Hong Kong Airport to Shenzhen Ferry
 1. Show your valid normal passport. An emergency passport doesn’t work. Besides, 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. It requires a specific address in Shenzhen if you stay overnight, so you should better book a hotel in advance. The information for your return trip is not needed.
3. The officer needs a photo of you. There are free self-service machines for taking photos.
4. Pay for the VOA (in Chinese RMB). It's advised to prepare RMB in advance. There are currency exchange service counters at the port.
 The time it takes varies case by case and relates to the number of applicants, mostly 30 minutes to 1 - 2 hours.
 The Shenzhen 5-Day Travel Visa on Arrival costs CNY 130 for all citizenships.
 1. Travelers coming to Shenzhen by plane, as there is no 5-day VOA office at Shenzhen Bao’an Airport. In a similar way, those planning to enter Shenzhen via Futian Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, Liantang Port, and Man Kam To Port cannot get one, either.

2. Citizens from the Philippines, India, South Africa, and other underdeveloped countries do have a high risk of being rejected. Therefore, it is suggested to obtain a China visa in advance for a smooth trip. But those who have been granted a Chinese visa previously will benefit your 5-day VOA application.

3. If there are bad records on your passport, such as being rejected for a Chinese visa application or overstaying in Chinese Mainland, you will most likely be rejected for a Shenzhen VOA.
 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.

3. Can US Citizens Apply for Visa on Arrival in Shenzhen?
Yes. US citizens can apply for the five-day VOA in Shenzhen, and according to visitors’ feedback, the success rate is quite high.  

Further Reading: China Visa on Arrival