Han Ximin

1824295095@qq.com

THE Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau has handled over 20,000 port visas in the first half of this year, ranking first in Guangdong Province.

Starting from Jan. 1, the bureau has further streamlined port visa application procedures, enabling foreign visitors to complete visa procedures within 30 minutes upon arrival at local checkpoints.

In a notable case this May, the bureau granted a port visa to a foreign professor invited for an academic exchange in Shenzhen on short notice. The professor, having received the invitation letter too late to apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, benefited from the police’s initiation of a special green channel. This streamlined process enabled the professor to obtain a port visa at the Huanggang Checkpoint within just 30 minutes upon his arrival.

According to regulations, foreigners holding ordinary passports who need to enter China for urgency and can’t obtain a visa from Chinese embassies or consulates abroad in time can apply for a port visa at any of China’s 87 designated exit and entry checkpoints.

In Shenzhen, port visas are available at four checkpoints — Luohu, Huanggang, Shekou, and the airport.

Among these, Huanggang and the airport operate 24/7, while Luohu operates from 6 a.m. to midnight and Shekou runs from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

What is Port Visa

CHINA’S port visa is similar to a “visa on arrival” offered by other countries. The term “port visa” refers to a method of visa application, rather than denoting a specific visa category such as “business” or “tourist.”

Foreigners holding ordinary passports with an urgent need to enter China but insufficient time to apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate may apply for a port visa for entry. It is advisable to submit application in advance to the port visa authorities.

The port visa allows a stay for up to 30 days and permits a single entry.