darrinf15e

If I buy a confirmed ticket on UAL into PVG and list to J/S on a freighter out of the country a couple days later (also via PVG), what are my requirements? I have a crew visa, is being listed on the GenDec appropriate, can I meet the 72 hour rule, or do I risk being detained?

This is the text from the Chinese Embassy about crew travel:

C-visa is used only for the purpose for performing duties as a crewmember. C-visa holders who come to China for the purpose other than performing such a duty or those who intend to continue to stay in China for personal reasons after completion of their duties have to apply for an appropriate visa.
A C-visa holder must enter into or exit from China with the aircraft (train and ship) he or she works for otherwise he or she should apply for another type of visa.

Typhoonpilot

Get a tourist Visa. I operate in and out of China on a regular basis; operating in and paxing out or paxing in and operating out. To do that one needs either the combo of Crew/Tourist Visas or a Business Visa. Since you already have the crew Visa you now need the Tourist Visa then you will have no problems. Alternatively buy a throw aware full fare ticket out of the country to show when you enter. That should help you meet the 72 hour rule for entry. Something simple like PVG-HKG or PVG-TPE on one of the LCCs.

Adlerdriver

I don't think anyone can claim to completely understand China (otherwise known as the "land of not quite right") or expect consistency at all times.

That said, from my experience (and hundreds of other FedEx pilots), I have to disagree with this. I have a Crew Visa - that's it. That's all I've every had and all any FedEx pilot is required to have. I just paxed into PVG and operated out in March with that same C-Visa. I'm scheduled to do it again this Monday. I've also operated in and paxed out. Done both more times than I can remember.

That said, if you have the time to get a Tourist Visa, it certainly can't hurt since you just never know who is going to be sitting on the other side of the glass at immigration.

sky jet

I suspect that unknown to you your employer has been busy in the background. There are forms that the companies forward to Chinese immigration before your arrival for crews commercialing into the country on a Crew Visa. I just got burned by this last month. I was going from Inchon to CGO on a direct flight with a stop in PVG. The flight canceled in PVG due to weather in CGO. The customs guys in PVG lost there minds because we didn't have the proper paper work. 2.5 hours in Chinese Customs Hell sitting on the bad boy bench and our handler was finally able to forward the proper documents. Went to the hotel. On the way out the next morning I had to do the whole explanation again and wait 15 minutes for them to clear us on to CGO.

PVG is the worst city in the PRC to travel/work through. They make up rules daily at both customs and security. Our Chinese staff has advised our company to avoid moving crews through there unless no other options are available. YMMV.

Typhoonpilot

I believe sky jet is correct. There is something special with FedEx moving crews.

I have flown contractors into China to operate out. I very specifically asked about required Visas with the head our SHA immigration facility (and I speak Mandarin so I get clear answers). My contractor had a Crew Visa only. The answer was, if he paxes in he needs a Tourist Visa. So he rushed to get a Tourist Visa and all went smoothly.

galaxy flyer

TyphoonPilot

I have done the crew in, airline out of twice. Jeppesen worked with handler and I was escorted to Passport Control with a letter in Mandarin and English explaining the lack of tourist visa—it worked somewhat to my surprise. Both times at PEK. Other crews of mine, it hasn’t worked. A mechanic didn’t leave the terminal. Pilots spent hours getting it fixed.

GF

IQuitEagle

Just a slight correction, Fedex pilots based in HKG are required to have the M Business Visa as well.

FDXpilot

FedEx requires it, but doesn’t really enforce it. Several HK crews don’t have the “M” visa. Just have to be careful as how you enter and leave. Mine is about to expire, and I’m not sure I can get it renewed before my next trip. I just have to use the “C” visa til then.

Here is the skinny:

If you have a “C” Visa, you have 3 options.

1) Operate* in / Operate* out.
*If jumpseating (not on a paid ticket) on your company aircraft, you will/should be on the gen dec and China considers you as operating crew, thus fulfilling the crew requirement of the visa.

2) Deadhead(Pax) in / Operate out.**

3) Operate in / Deadhead(Pax) out.**

** If you don’t have an “M” visa, an ICAO entry letter is recommended in case an old school agent wants it, but it’s not technically required. Just might save you some grief at the immigration counter if they want to see one.

Per China regulations, air crew members can enter China as a passenger or leave as a passenger (but not
both) with a valid “C” visa.

Caution: Deadheading(Pax) into China, operating an intra-China domestic flight such as PVG-CAN, then trying to Deadhead(Pax) out of China is where you will find trouble. You will probably have to Jumpseat or pick up an operating leg to get out.

The “M” visa is a multiple entry Business visa, and as long as you are conducting/traveling on business (not supposed to be used for personal travel, you technically need a Tourist visa for that), you can Deadhead/Jumpseat all you want.

A side note, I highly recommend getting the APEC card along with the Global Entry. Although, the US version doesn’t alleviate the need for the visas, when traveling on business, it allows you to skip the long lines at immigration. Well worth the trouble of getting one.

Hope this helps someone.....

jrmyl

China is definitely the land of the unknown. Seems like they are always changing what paper is required for entry. Thankfully, we have a handler that meets us when operating cargo and walks us through. Passenger flights we get escorted by one of our station personnel.

Other thing that is confusing, you all are talking about crew visas. I am an American citizen on a US passport that operates to China multiple times per month.

I don't have a crew visa or any type of visa in my passport. My guess is since I am operating a Japanese registered aircraft that has something to do with it.

Typhoonpilot

Some airlines are able to arrange for no Visas. I used to fly for one that had the same exception.