Shekou Cruise Homeport has launched China’s first international sea transit zone, making it easier to hop on a cruise without needing a Chinese visa.
The setup is straightforward.
If you’re taking a cruise to a third country and passing through Shekou, you can now transit through the port visa-free, as long as you don’t leave the terminal and depart within 24 hours.
What’s new?
The transit zone reduces border procedures from eight steps to four, cutting wait time from over two hours to around 30 minutes and shortening the walking distance by nearly 40%.
There’s even a small lounge area for passengers waiting to board.
It’s not a massive overhaul, but it does offer more flexibility for travellers who want to catch a regional cruise without dealing with visa paperwork, especially those coming from Hong Kong, Macau, or abroad.
International sea transit service at the Shekou Cruise Homeport/ Image via Shenzhen Immigration Inspection
It also reflects how Shenzhen is slowly shaping up as a more international cruise hub.
While it’s not as developed as Hong Kong just yet, new policies like this add to the city’s growing appeal in the leisure travel space.
One thing to note: this is separate from Shenzhen’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, which allows visitors from 55 countries to stay in the city for up to 10 days.
That applies to air and ferry arrivals, and is a different setup altogether.
This cruise transit zone is best suited for travellers who are:
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Boarding a same-day cruise to a third country
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Arriving from Hong Kong, Macau, or overseas
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Planning to stay inside the terminal
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Looking for a quick and visa-free way out by sea
For the right traveller, it’s a simple, fast, and visa-free option that could save time and make cruise travel from Shenzhen more appealing.
Got a cruise planned? Let us know how your experience goes.
[Cover image via Shekou Cruise Homeport]