Shanghai's New Six-Day Visa-Free Policy a Hit

Some 39,000 foreign travelers have entered Shanghai without needing to obtain a Chinese visa since the city introduced its 144-hour visa-free transit policy on January 30, 2016, the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection (SGSII) said on Sunday.

Data from SGSII showed 36,000 foreigners entered via Shanghai Pudong International Airport over the last year, an 80-percent uptick compared with the previous year when foreign travelers were entitled to a 72-hour visa-free stay.

On average, the airport issued 3,000 foreign travelers' permits per month, according to SGSII.

The remaining travelers entered Shanghai by boat or other means of transportation.

The 144-hour visa-free transit policy was introduced in cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Guangzhou to facilitate transit for international travelers in China.

The four cities had previously allowed 72-hour visa-free entry for international transit passengers since 2013.

The new transit policy allows passengers from 53 countries or regions - including the US, Russia, UK, Australia, South Korea, France and Japan - to transit and stay in China for no more than six days without holding a Chinese visa. They only need to produce a valid international travel document and onward air, vessel or train tickets to a third country or region with a confirmed date within 144 hours of arrival.

Other Chinese cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Kunming all have 72-hour visa-free entry for international transit passengers.