Mainland China: E-Visa and 144-Hour Transit Visa Policies Expanded

Update - November 14, 2024: The port e-visa has been expanded to the entire Pudong New Area. The port e-visa is proceeded entirely online. The registered company can log onto the Shanghai Public Security Bureau website to submit the visa application. After visa is issued, the company can download a visa confirmation PDF and send it to the applicant, after which the applicant can either print or save the PDF to their electronic devices and use it to enter any international port in Shanghai and to exit from any authorized international port.

August 1, 2024: Foreign nationals invited by registered companies in the Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone can now enter under a port e-visa for tourism, business, talent, work and personal affairs. The e-visa is valid for a 15-day single entry (extendable for another 15 days). The holder can enter through any international port in Shanghai and exit from any other international port within the country. Those who intend to work and have already secured a Notification Letter of Work Permit may specifically apply for a Z visa at the port of entry (which, in this case, is any international port in Shanghai). Once in China, they must then convert their Z visas into valid work-type residence permits before commencing work.

Additionally, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible nationals of 54 countries has been expanded to the Zhengzhou Airport in Henan Province, the Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, Mohan Railway Port and Kunming Changshui International Airport in Yunnan Province, and the additional cities in Kunming including Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu’er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe and Wenshan. The policy is now effective at 37 ports of entry in China. The transit visa allows tourism, business, and family visits, but work, study, and other purposes of travel require a separate visa application.