Shanghai brings more convenience to 144-hour visa-free transit foreign passengers

Shanghai launched an electronic application system to provide convenience for the transit of foreign passengers eligible for a 144-hour visa-free policy as of Nov 1.

The visa-free policy, taking effect in Jan 30, 2016, allows foreigners from 53 countries with visas and plane tickets to a third country to transit through Shanghai, Nanjing, or Hangzhou for a visa-free stay of up to 144 hours in Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.

The e-system makes it possible for transit passengers to report entry information in advance and to print out their entry cards via a self-service machine, and then they can directly wait for customs clearance. It will shorten nearly 20 minutes for each person going through customs clearance.

The visa-free policy has benefited more than 110,000 foreigners who went to Shanghai for short-term commercial business, travel and family visit since its initial launch and the electronic application system brings more convenience to the foreigners, according to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau.

Shanghai launches an electronic application system for the convenience of transit foreign passengers eligible for a 144-hour visa-free policy as of Nov 1. [Photo/weibo.com/shanghaicity]