Big demand for visa-free stays

More than 7,000 foreign visitors benefited from a visa-free service since Shanghai started offering 72-hour visa-free stays for international transit passengers earlier this year.

The policy, which came into effect on January 1, allows citizens from 45 countries with a valid passport to stay in China for a maximum of 72 hours.

According to the Shanghai immigration authorities, 7,312 overseas travelers used the service until early August — up by seven times than last year when foreigners were granted only 48-hour visa-free stay.

Applicants should notify their airlines, which applies for the visa-free stays with the local immigration authorities. A flight ticket with definite information of destination, date and boarding pass are needed.

Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou are the three cities which offer the visa-free service with Kunming in Yunnan Province expected to do so soon.