A port visa allows foreign ordinary passport holders with an urgent need to enter China, but who do not have sufficient time to apply for a visa in advance at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, to apply for entry at a Chinese port.

Who can apply

Foreign ordinary passport holders who urgently need to travel to China for business cooperation, visits, and exchanges, investment and entrepreneurship, family visits, personal affairs, or humanitarian reasons, such as attending a funeral or visiting a critically ill relative, and who are unable to obtain a visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad in time, are eligible to apply.

How to apply

- On-site application: Foreigners should prepare all the application materials and submit their application upon arrival at a designated port in Shanghai.

- Offline pre-application: The inviting entity in Shanghai shall apply to the Shanghai Port Visa Authority in advance on behalf of the foreign nationals invited. All application materials shall be submitted at the Port Visa Reception Room of Shanghai Pudong Airport (Africa Street, near South Wuzhou Road) and the Port Visa Reception Room of Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (International Arrival Floor of Terminal 1).

- Online pre-application: The inviting entity of Shanghai can apply in advance on behalf of the invited foreign nationals at the website of the Exit-Entry Administration Corps of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Templates for the required Port Visa Application Letter and Letter of Economic Guarantee for Foreign Students Coming to Shanghai for Short-Term Internships are available upon request by emailing shcrj3@163.com.

Required documents

Applicants must provide a valid passport or other international travel document, along with supporting documents that prove the urgent reason for entry.

For example, applicants traveling to China for urgent business activities should provide an invitation letter describing the purpose of the visit, the nature of the emergency, the planned itinerary, and relevant supporting evidence.

Validity and stay

A port visa is valid for a single entry and permits a stay of up to 30 days.

Electronic port visa (e-visa)

The port e-visa possesses the same legal validity as a physical visa. Applicants may enter and stay in China by presenting their passport and e-visa.

E-visa holders may enter China through any of Shanghai's open ports and depart through any open port nationwide. The e-visa is valid for a single entry, with an entry validity of 15 days and a period of stay not exceeding 30 days. The Shanghai Public Security Bureau issues e-visas for visitor, business, talent, work, and personal affairs purposes.

The inviting enterprises from Shanghai can submit visa application information on behalf of the foreign applicants at the website of the Exit-Entry Administration Corps of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

After the issuance of the electronic port visa, the inviting unit needs to download the Confirmation Letter as a PDF electronic file on behalf of the applicant and send it to the applicant, and the applicant can download and save the Confirmation Letter in the electronic device or print it.

For more information about applying for a port visa, call 12367 or check the official website of the Exit-Entry Administration Corps of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Sources: Exit-Entry Administration Corps of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, National Immigration Administration