The eastern Chinese city of Shanghai issued China's first electronic port visa. This new system eliminates the need for paper visas and facilitates entry and stay in China. The initiative, promoted by China's National Immigration Administration, aims to improve visa management and make it easier for travelers to enter and exit through all customs posts opened in Shanghai for this pilot test.
The electronic visa, valid for 15 days with a maximum stay of up to 30 days, can be applied for through a digital platform managed by the reputable Shanghai Public Security Bureau, ensuring a secure and reliable application process. This platform is the go-to place for applying for visits, trade, work, and private affairs permits.
According to Ye Wei, director of the Port Visa department, the initiative "will improve the efficiency and level of service in visa management, facilitating the entry and exit of business and tourism travelers."
In recent months, China has taken significant steps to increase the flow of people across its borders, a stark contrast to the 'zero-covid' policy that virtually closed them during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift in policy reflects China's commitment to reopening and welcoming international travelers.
The entry of visa-free foreigners into China has seen a significant surge, increasing fivefold during the first half of the year. This surge brought the total to 8.542 million people, marking a staggering 190.1% increase from the same period in 2023, as reported by the National Immigration Administration last week. This substantial increase underscores China's commitment to reopening its borders and its growing appeal to international travelers.
In November of last year, China announced a unilateral visa waiver for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia until December 2024. This gesture of inclusivity has since been extended to more countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Poland, and the waiver is now valid until December 2025.
