A UK family’s travel adventure turned into an unexpected nightmare in Shanghai, China, when a simple visa oversight led to their detention, fine and forced departure from the city after just one night. Nadia, Irfan and their young son Zakariya, who document their travels for more than 55,000 followers on TikTok (@campodevisiones)shared their disturbing experience, providing an informative and cautionary tale for travelers about China’s strict visa regulations.

Denied registration and seeking refuge

the incident It began shortly after the family arrived in Shanghai by bullet train from Beijing, where they had been exploring historical sites. When they tried to check into the pre-booked hotel, they were stopped at the reception desk. “You cannot stay in Shanghai,” the staff informed them, explaining that their presence would be considered an illegal stay.

With luggage in hand and facing unexpected rejection, Nadia and Irfan sought alternative accommodation for the night and found a nearby hotel willing to allow them to check-in. “We thought it was just a mix-up,” Nadia said, describing her relief after finally securing a room, albeit temporarily. “We didn’t understand what had gone wrong, but we hoped to fix it in the morning.”

A knock on the door and a terrifying visit from the police

The next morning, his brief respite was interrupted by a call from the hotel front desk. “Someone is going up to talk to you,” they were informed. Moments later, hotel staff arrived at their door with worrying news: the police were waiting for them in the lobby. Shocked and fearful, the family was escorted to a waiting police van. “We were absolutely terrified,” Irfan said. IBT UK. “Our first concern was our son, Zakariya. The thought of being taken to a prison cell with him was overwhelming.”

The family was transported to a local immigration office, where they were questioned extensively. Officials asked detailed questions about their travel plans, their intentions in Shanghai and whether they understood the conditions of their visa. Nadia recounted the intensity of the experience, saying: “We had no idea what would happen next. The language barrier only increased our anxiety.”

Hours of questions and hard understanding

For several hours, the family gradually learned the root of their situation. They had entered China using a 144-hour visa-free transit permit, which allowed them to explore the Beijing area for six days without a formal visa, as long as they stayed within the region and exited through the same entry point. By traveling to Shanghai, they had unknowingly violated strict regional visa limits. According Information about ChinaThese limits are strictly enforced and do not allow exceptions for tourists traveling to different regions within China.

“Although the entire process took half a day (we left our hotel at 11 a.m. and didn’t leave the immigration office until around 4:30 p.m.), we were treated with respect throughout the entire ordeal,” he explained. Nadia.

“The immigration officer who handled our case clearly explained the situation, why they were taking us to immigration and how they would process the case, and assured us that there was nothing to worry about. It would just be a small fine and a little time to prepare the paperwork He also assured us that we would be allowed to continue our trip as long as we did not overstay our visa and left the designated port (Beijing), which we had planned to do anyway, and that we would be able to return to China. again in the future.”

“While immigration was processing our case, they even allowed us to go out and have something to eat, which made things easier; Zakariya even had the opportunity to run in a playground in a nearby shopping center… It made things easier. a a little easier, especially for Zakariya,” shared Irfan. “But it was still one of the most stressful moments of our trips.”

The fine, forced departure and financial setback

At the end of the day, the family was fined and ordered to leave Shanghai the next day. “We were afraid that we would be detained in a cell or in a detention place with our son; at first it was not clear what was really happening because of the language barrier,” Nadia explained. The fine, along with hasty travel arrangements to get out of town, placed an unexpected financial burden on the family. They described the ordeal as a logistical nightmare, with major disruptions to their travel plans and expenses.

Despite the terrifying experience, the family maintained an optimistic outlook and expressed their desire to return. When asked about IBT UK If they would consider visiting China again, they enthusiastically responded: “Absolutely, 1000%! Shanghai seemed like an amazing city and we would love to explore it further; we definitely need more time there.”

Navigating China’s visa-free transit policy

This experience serves as a critical reminder for tourists navigating China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy. As Information about China The policy, which has been expanded to attract more foreign visitors, reportedly allows travelers from specific countries to enter China without a full visa, as long as they stay within designated areas and leave for a third destination. However, travelers must strictly adhere to regional restrictions, and even a short trip outside the permitted area can be considered a violation, as Nadia, Irfan and Zakariya learned firsthand.

The family shared their advice for future travelers to China or any foreign country: “Be sure to read and research everything thoroughly; consult several websites for clear and definitive information. If in doubt, ask immigration directly upon arrival,” they advised Nadia, emphasizing that even seemingly minor misunderstandings can have major consequences.