Shanghai Issues China's First E-Visa, Streamlining International Travel

Shanghai Issues China's First E-Visa, Streamlining International Travel
Image credit: Xinhuanet

Shanghai has issued China's first e-visa, marking a significant step in the country's move towards digitalizing visa processes. This new development is expected to enhance efficiency and convenience for travelers.

A man surnamed Chung from Singapore arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport around 1 p.m. on Friday, holding an e-visa issued by the Government Affairs of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. After inspection and confirmation by border authorities, he successfully entered the country, becoming the first foreigner to do so with an e-visa.

Chung from Singapore become the first foreigner to enter China with an e-visa
Image credit: Xinhuanet 

The e-visa, a digital version of the traditional paper visa, stores all visa information electronically and is issued as an electronic document. This eliminates the need for a paper visa to be pasted in the passport, allowing travelers to enter and stay in the country with just their passport and e-visa. Chung expressed satisfaction with the new system, noting its convenience and the elimination of the need to renew a paper visa.

To improve its visa system and enhance service efficiency, the National Immigration Administration decided to pilot e-visas in the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Shanghai FTZ). According to Ye Wei, a visa official at the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, the bureau now issues various types of e-visas, including visitor, business, talent, work, and personal affairs visas.

An e-visa is valid for a single entry, with an entry validity of 15 days and a maximum stay of 30 days. Holders can enter China through any of Shanghai's open ports and exit through any open port in the country.