Shanghai to Launch Visa-Free Business Zone Near Pudong Airport in 2025
Shanghai is set to introduce a new visa-free international business zone near Pudong International Airport later this year, aimed at enhancing global engagement and supporting economic openness, local authorities announced.
The initiative, named the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone, was officially approved by China's State Council in February 2024. Designed to simplify international business travel, the zone will feature relaxed visa policies, seamless transportation links, and business-friendly regulations.
Spanning an area of 880,000 square meters—roughly the size of 120 football fields—the zone will bridge Pudong Airport and the under-construction Shanghai East Railway Station.
International visitors arriving at Pudong who are invited by companies registered within the zone will be allowed entry without a regular Chinese visa. The visa-free stay can last up to 30 days, with extension options available. Additionally, port visa services on-site will offer convenient access for those wishing to explore beyond the zone.
Travelers will be able to reach the business zone from Terminal 3 of Pudong Airport in just 10 minutes via shuttle bus.
A dual-checkpoint system will be in place: foreign nationals can enter the zone with expedited clearance, while movement into the broader Chinese mainland will still require standard customs checks.
Zhao Yugang, deputy director of the administrative committee overseeing the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, noted that the zone reflects China's evolving focus—from trade in goods to a broader openness involving people and services. He described the initiative as a globally unique experiment in high-level economic openness.
According to Xie Yiqing of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, the business zone marks a significant step forward for the city, aligning with global trends and embracing institutional innovation. Xie emphasized that the project signals China's continued integration with international norms while bolstering global economic stability.
Experts predict the zone will benefit industries like international exhibitions, corporate training, and cross-border business services. It could also accelerate growth in areas such as offshore research and development, as well as data-driven services.
Source:https://www.ecns.cn/cns-wire/2025-04-21/detail-iheqvnys2371592.shtml
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