Shanghai enhances global accessibility

Shanghai rolled out new exit-entry service measures to further enhance the city's global accessibility by improving policies and services, local authorities said on Thursday.

The reforms include a simplified port visa application process for certain foreign professionals, a new visa service center and enhanced regional cooperation within the Yangtze River Delta, said Huang Yichen, an officer with the exit-entry administration of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

In line with the new framework, foreign professionals based in Shanghai can facilitate entry for business partners and research colleagues through a streamlined port visa system. The process removes corporate documentation requirements and is handled entirely online.

A newly established port visa center at the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone provides 24-hour service through standardized service windows. It offers expedited visa processing and settlement guidance for foreign visitors engaged in business negotiations, contract signings and travel.

Shanghai has also launched a cross-regional port visa transfer platform serving the Yangtze River Delta, allowing businesses across the region to apply for visas for foreign visitors entering through Shanghai.

The measures come as Shanghai reported record arrival figures for 2025. According to Song Weiqi, deputy director of the city's exit-entry administration, temporary accommodation registrations for foreigners reached nearly 7.14 million, up 49.6 percent from the previous year.

Shanghai leads the country in the implementation of the permanent residence ID card program, with more than 10,000 cards issued since December 2023. Issuance of foreign visas and permits exceeded 200,000 for the second consecutive year, while long-term residence permits rose by 10 percentage points.

"This trend reflects growing international interest in establishing a long-term presence in Shanghai," Song said.

The city has expanded its talent service infrastructure with three new district-level overseas talent platforms in Huangpu, Jing'an and Qingpu districts, adding to two existing city-level centers. An integrated service package now includes 19 high-frequency police services across four departments, streamlining procedures for foreign professionals.

For Chinese citizens, exit-entry document processing in Shanghai exceeded 5.3 million in 2025, marking the third consecutive year above the 5 million threshold, Song said. Use of digital services has also increased, with 62,000 residents renewing passports online.

The electronic port visa program, expanded citywide after a pilot in Pudong district, has quadrupled average monthly issuance year-on-year, with business-related visas accounting for nearly 90 percent of applications.

Authorities have also installed 24-hour automated endorsement machines for travel permits to and from Hong Kong and Macao in key business districts, serving more than 50,000 people during nonworking hours. A round-the-clock service team now provides expedited processing and overseas safety consultations for key enterprises expanding abroad.

During 2026, Shanghai plans to extend talent endorsement eligibility for Hong Kong and Macao visits to financial and shipping professionals, expand expedited services citywide for residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, extend evening service hours at district offices on designated dates, and launch a 24/7 hotline, 12367, to support online document processing.