Shanghai optimizes port visa services to facilitate group travel

In the first half of this year, Shanghai's port visa service issued approximately 43,000 group visas, benefiting over 2,000 foreign travelers by allowing timely and smooth entry into China. This improvement is attributed to the optimization of the port visa service in Shanghai, according to official sources.

"As the number of expatriates in China continues to rise, a slew of measures have been optimized, including streamlining materials and shortening the application time limit to better facilitate the efficiency of group visa applications in Shanghai this year. Currently, it takes merely two working days to apply for a group visa through our port visa application service," said Wang Sheng, an official from the port visa section of the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

According to Wang, a total of 43,000 group tourist visas were issued in the first six months by their office, which offers around-the-clock port visa service, up nearly 20 percent from the second half of last year. "In addition, our expedited service has helped more than 2,000 foreign visitors make trips on schedule," Wang added.

Zhang Xiaomin, a personnel in charge of group visa service with Shanghai Spring International Travel Service (Group) Co Ltd, noted, "For travel agencies, it happens from time to time that tourists have their traveling documents get lost or damaged before leaving. The expedited service launched by Shanghai's port visa office this year offers solutions to many such problems."

According to Zhang, compared to conventional visa application processes, the port visa service has simplified document requirements and can be applied for directly by the group travel agency.

In addition, a port e-visa service was launched at the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lin-gang Special Area starting July 9, which allows eligible foreigners visiting for business to apply for the visa online, said Huang Yichen, an official with the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

"Shanghai has also become one of the 20 pilot cities in the Chinese mainland to launch an online service for the application of passports and travel permits to the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. This service enables local Shanghai residents aged above 16 to renew or reissue these travel documents without going to the offline service desks," Huang said.

wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn