Shanghai is set to launch a new international business zone near Pudong airport by the end of this year, offering visa-free access to enhance global connectivity and economic openness.
Approved by China’s State Council in February last year, the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone aims to facilitate cross-border trade with relaxed visa regulations, integrated transit connections, and business-friendly policies.
Spanning 880,000 square metres, the zone will link Pudong airport with the under-construction Shanghai East Railway Station.
Foreign visitors arriving at Pudong airport will be able to access the new business zone without a standard Chinese visa if invited by a registered company.
The visa-free stay will last for 30 days, with the possibility of an extension. Additionally, an on-site port visa service will be available for those wishing to travel further within China.
The zone will operate with a two-tier border system. Entry from abroad will allow for faster clearance into the zone, while exiting to the rest of mainland China will require full customs processing.
The zone will feature conference centres, exhibition spaces, and offices for legal, financial, and consulting firms.
It will complement the China International Import Expo, fostering year-round business activities beyond the annual event.
Shops within the zone will accept foreign bank cards, mobile payments, and offer tax refunds for international visitors.
Furthermore, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China’s leading international air hub, served 70 million passengers last year, with international travellers making up half of that number. The airport's T3 terminal, set to open in 2028, will boost its capacity to 130 million passengers annually.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai East Railway Station is projected to handle 60 million passengers each year, with a shuttle service connecting the station to the new business zone in just 10 minutes.
Shanghai is home to 75,000 foreign-invested companies, 1,027 regional headquarters of multinational corporations, and 597 foreign R&D centres. The city's ports handle over 3% of global trade, and Shanghai ranks as the top Chinese city for international traveller volume.
The Yangtze River Delta, contributing around 24% of China’s GDP, further drives the demand for cross-border services.
“This project continues Shanghai’s legacy as a reform pioneer,” according to an official from the zone’s administration.
“It meets global business demand for efficient logistics, talent flow, and transparent rules.”