A woman uses a 24-hour self-service travel permit machine at the Hongqiao International Talents Service Center. [Photo/WeChat ID: hongqiaoshangwuqu]
Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District or CBD now offers round-the-clock Hong Kong and Macao travel permits — enabling a full self-service process in three minutes and greatly improving entry-exit efficiencies.
An exterior view of the Hongqiao International Talents Service Center and Hongqiao Overseas Development Service Center. [Photo/WeChat ID: hongqiaoshangwuqu]
In June, the Hongqiao International Talents Service Center activated a fast-track channel to help a Noah Holdings executive obtain urgent travel permits within hours, demonstrating rapid support for key enterprises.
The 24-hour self-service machine started operating on July 10, allowing travelers to apply for and collect documents at any time — ideal for late flights or busy schedules.
The CBD currently serves more than 100,000 business entities and 260 institutions. Terminal 1 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport handles over 40 weekly flights to Hong Kong and 30 to Macao and cross-border travel topped 1.4 million passenger trips in 2024.
The center has offered nearly 90 services since March 2024, with 55,000 visits this year, including 13,000 by foreigners.
The nearby Hongqiao Overseas Development Service Center helps companies go global — featuring an AI tool called Aura that provides overseas investment guidance and hosts 122 outbound business events in 2025.
