What must actually exist or be demonstrated: business plan, company, innovation, clients, contracts, economic activity, job creation or other substance?
The sources reviewed do not require a business plan, company, investment, clients or job creation. What must exist is a qualifying invitation: an overseas visitor whose primary purpose is business exchange, an international conference, an exhibition and/or training must be registered by the inviting entity with the Zone's comprehensive management authority at least 48 hours in advance through the Zone's platform (in an emergency, on-site registration after arrival at Pudong Airport is allowed). The host organisation must itself register and complete verification on the platform's corporate portal; its invitation filing includes the visitor's personal details, the purpose of the visit and other required documents, and the inviting entity is responsible for the authenticity of the registration. NIA Article 5 lets the inviting entity report changes (event rescheduling, change of purpose or replacement of documents) 24 hours before entry, while the Zone's visitor FAQ tells visitors not to switch to a new passport after filing; how a passport replacement is handled in practice should be confirmed with the host before travel.
See recorded sources
Limits of the record- Operational reconciliation of NIA Article 5 (document replacement reportable 24 hours before entry) with the FAQ instruction not to switch passports after filing is not stated by either source.
- Article 4, first paragraph
Article 4 For any overseas individual planning to enter the Zone via the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (hereinafter referred to as the "Pudong Airport") by an overseas flight, whose primary purpose(s) for the visit is/are business exchange, international conference, exhibition, and/or training, he/she must be registered with the comprehensive management authority of the Zone by the inviting entity at least 48 hours in advance through the comprehensive information management service platform of the Zone.
- Article 4, second paragraph
In any emergency situation where prior registration is not possible and the individual concerned has arrived at the Pudong Airport, he/she may register on-site with the comprehensive management authority, either personally or through the inviting entity.
- Article 5
Article 5 The inviting entity is responsible for submitting relevant materials mandated by the comprehensive management authority of the Zone and ensuring the authenticity of the registration content.
If any adjustment to the registration information is necessary due to event rescheduling, change in the purpose of visit, or replacement of document(s), the inviting entity must report the adjustment(s) to the comprehensive management authority of the Zone via the comprehensive information management service platform of the Zone 24 hours before the overseas individual's entry into the Zone.
- FAQ 1 'Confirm your host organization in China.'
Your host organization must register and complete verification on the corporate portal of the Shanghai Eastern Hub IBCZ Integrated Information Management and Service Platform.
It must then submit an invitation filing application on your behalf at least 48 hours in advance. The application includes your personal details, the purpose of your visit, and other required documents.
- FAQ 1 'Prepare your valid travel document.'
Use the same valid international travel document, typically your passport, throughout the process. Make sure it remains valid for your trip, and do not switch to a new passport after the filing has been submitted.
