Shanghai Announces Exit-Entry Regulations for the Visa-Free Zone

Announcement on the "Regulations on the Exit-Entry Management of Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (Provisional)" by the National Immigration Administration

No. 3 of 2025

In order to implement the "Overall Plan for the Construction of Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone" and support the development of the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone, the National Immigration Administration has formulated the "Regulations on the Passage Management of Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (Provisional)", which is now published.

Hereby announced.

National Immigration Administration July 30, 2025

Regulations on the Passage Management of Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (Provisional)

1. General Provisions

Article 1: In order to maintain order in the passage management of the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (hereinafter referred to as the "Business Cooperation Zone") and support the development of the Business Cooperation Zone, these regulations are formulated in accordance with the "Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China," "Regulations on Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection of the People's Republic of China," and other relevant laws and administrative regulations.

Article 2: Immigration management authorities shall implement management of personnel and transportation vehicles entering or leaving the Business Cooperation Zone according to these regulations.

Article 3: Immigration management authorities shall strengthen cooperation with relevant departments of the Business Cooperation Zone to ensure smooth passage management.

2. Passage Management for Foreign Personnel

Article 4: Foreign personnel traveling to the Business Cooperation Zone for business exchanges, international exhibitions, international training, and other activities shall have their invitation registered with the Business Cooperation Zone's comprehensive management agency 48 hours in advance via the integrated information management platform.

If urgent circumstances prevent advance registration and the person has already arrived at Pudong International Airport, the person or the inviting agency may register at the scene with the comprehensive management agency.

Article 5: The inviting agency shall provide the relevant materials as required by the Business Cooperation Zone's comprehensive management agency and be responsible for the authenticity of the registration content.

If there are changes to the activity schedule, reasons, or document reissuance, the inviting agency shall update the registration details 24 hours before the foreign personnel enter the Business Cooperation Zone via the platform.

Article 6: Foreign personnel, with a valid invitation registered with the Business Cooperation Zone's comprehensive management agency, may check in for their flight to Pudong International Airport abroad.

Article 7: Foreign personnel must present their passport or other travel documents and the valid invitation registered with the Business Cooperation Zone's comprehensive management agency for inspection before entering or leaving the Business Cooperation Zone.

Article 8: Foreign personnel may stay in the Business Cooperation Zone for up to 30 days.

If they need to extend their stay, they or the inviting agency must submit the relevant materials to the immigration authorities 24 hours before the expiration date. The total extension period cannot exceed 30 days.

Article 9: Foreign personnel leaving the Business Cooperation Zone for other areas within the People's Republic of China must present their passport, visa, or other entry permit and go through the required procedures for inspection before entering.

Those with visa exemptions may apply for related policies.

3. Passage Management for Domestic Personnel

Article 10: Domestic personnel entering the Business Cooperation Zone for short-term activities such as business exchanges, international exhibitions, and international training must apply for a passage permit through the relevant domestic institutions.

Personnel entering the Business Cooperation Zone for daily work (e.g., management, security, production, etc.) must have their work units or relevant administrative departments apply for the passage permit.

Article 11: Domestic institutions or employers must submit the required materials 24 hours in advance through the platform, including personal details, reason for entry, and other related information.

If approved, the immigration authorities will issue a passage permit valid for no more than 30 days for the first category and no more than 1 year for the second category of personnel.

Article 12: In case of emergency, personnel unable to apply for a passage permit in advance can submit the required materials on-site. Upon review, the immigration authorities will issue the permit.

Article 13: Domestic personnel must hold their valid identification documents and passage permit when entering or leaving the Business Cooperation Zone and accept immigration inspections.

Personnel without valid documents or violating management regulations cannot enter the zone.

Article 14: Vehicles for specific purposes entering or leaving the Business Cooperation Zone must register and submit the necessary materials via the platform.

Registered vehicles must undergo inspection by immigration authorities before entering or leaving the Business Cooperation Zone.

Article 15: In case of emergencies like rescue operations, medical treatment, or repairs, the immigration authorities will provide necessary facilitation for personnel or vehicles entering or leaving the Business Cooperation Zone.

4. Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 16: "Immigration management authorities" refers to the frontier inspection authorities and public security exit-entry management authorities.

Article 17: Immigration authorities will provide necessary facilitation for personnel to process entry/exit documents within the Business Cooperation Zone.

Article 18: Violations of exit-entry management will result in legal responsibility under relevant laws. Other criminal behaviors will be handled by the appropriate authorities.

Article 19: The duration of stay for foreign personnel in the Business Cooperation Zone will be calculated from 00:00 on the day following their entry.

Article 20: These regulations shall be interpreted by the National Immigration Administration.

Article 21: These regulations shall come into effect on the date when the Business Cooperation Zone's pilot area is officially operational.

Source: NIA