Shanghai’s two international airports and cruise terminals handled 1.16 million passenger movements during the Spring Festival week, capping a broader 6.14 million-trip tally for the city between 1 January and 23 February, according to figures released by the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection on 25 February. Visa-free travellers—mainly from South Korea, Russia, the United States and Thailand—made up nearly two-thirds of all foreign entries. To keep queues under control the metropolis has quietly rolled out a mobile “e-arrival card” that allows foreign visitors to submit biographical and travel information before landing. Until now passengers filled in a paper form in the arrivals hall; the new QR-code system reduces processing time by an estimated three minutes per person and feeds data directly into the police hotel-registration network.
![Shanghai introduces online arrival card as inbound traffic hits post-pandemic high]()
Travellers who would rather have professionals double-check their eligibility, visa status or onward permit arrangements can turn to VisaHQ, whose online platform (https://www.visahq.com/china/) simplifies visa and document preparation for China and keeps users updated on the latest digital entry tools such as the new e-arrival card. The service can generate timely reminders, review documentation for accuracy and coordinate courier pickup where physical submissions are still required—saving companies and assignees both time and stress.
The city has also put a 24/7 English-language hotline (12367) in place to troubleshoot visa extensions and residence-permit issues—an upgrade welcomed by relocation providers who struggled to reach officials outside office hours. What it means for business travellers: electronic arrival cards bring China closer to the fully digital border controls already common in Singapore and the Gulf, and could signal broader harmonisation across major Chinese gateways. Employers should brief travellers to complete the card before boarding and to screenshot the submission receipt, which is currently requested by some airlines at check-in. Assignees arriving with families should note that the e-card must be completed for minors as well, and that the system does not yet integrate with the customs health declaration, which remains a separate QR process.
Travellers who would rather have professionals double-check their eligibility, visa status or onward permit arrangements can turn to VisaHQ, whose online platform (https://www.visahq.com/china/) simplifies visa and document preparation for China and keeps users updated on the latest digital entry tools such as the new e-arrival card. The service can generate timely reminders, review documentation for accuracy and coordinate courier pickup where physical submissions are still required—saving companies and assignees both time and stress.
The city has also put a 24/7 English-language hotline (12367) in place to troubleshoot visa extensions and residence-permit issues—an upgrade welcomed by relocation providers who struggled to reach officials outside office hours. What it means for business travellers: electronic arrival cards bring China closer to the fully digital border controls already common in Singapore and the Gulf, and could signal broader harmonisation across major Chinese gateways. Employers should brief travellers to complete the card before boarding and to screenshot the submission receipt, which is currently requested by some airlines at check-in. Assignees arriving with families should note that the e-card must be completed for minors as well, and that the system does not yet integrate with the customs health declaration, which remains a separate QR process.
