The Shanghai immigration authorities have announced the expansion of the electronic port visa pilot program to cover the entire Pudong New Area.

Approved by the National Immigration Administration, the program now allows foreign nationals invited by eligible companies in Pudong to apply for F (visit), M (business), R (talent), Z (work) and S2 (personal affairs) electronic port visas to enter and stay in Shanghai.

The electronic visa process is fully digital. Registered companies can submit visa applications through the electronic platform of local police.

Once the visa is issued, the inviting company can download the confirmation as a PDF and send it to the applicant, who can use it to enter Shanghai with a passport and electronic confirmation in hand.

The pilot program first launched in the Lingang Special Area of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in July, receiving strong feedback for making it much easier for foreign employees to enter China.

Building on the success in Lingang, officials have worked with Pudong's departments to expand the program and educate eligible businesses on the policy.

The expansion aims to further simplify the entry process for foreign nationals, improving both investment and trade opportunities in Pudong and supporting a more open business environment.