Shanghai Municipality has become the first in China to introduce e-visas, a significant development in promoting the use of electronic visas nationwide, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.
First foreigner enters China with e-visa
On Friday, a Singaporean man named Chung arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and became the first foreigner to enter China using an e-visa issued by the Government Affairs of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Also, after being inspected and confirmed by border authorities, Chung was able to pass through the border with just his passport and the electronic visa.
“The application and use of the e-visa are very convenient. I no longer have to renew a paper visa,” further said Chung.
Digital transformation of the visa system
The e-visa, or electronic visa, is the digital version of the traditional paper visa. Additionally, the visa information is stored electronically and issued to the applicant as an electronic document, eliminating the need to have a physical visa sticker in the passport.
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Piloting e-visas in Shanghai
Moreover, to optimize China’s visa system and improve efficiency and service, the National Immigration Administration decided to pilot the issuance of e-visas in the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.
Scope of e-visa issuance
Furthermore, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau now issues e-visas for visitor, business, talent, work, and personal affairs purposes, according to Ye Wei, a visa official at the bureau. In addition, an e-visa is valid for a single entry, with an entry validity of 15 days and a maximum stay of 30 days. E-visa holders can enter and exit China through any of Shanghai’s open ports.
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