Business Visas Restricted to Shanghai During Olympics

Foreign business travelers coming to Shanghai must encourage the Chinese company that invited them to give detailed documentation to avoid the restriction of business visas, Reuters reports. The Shanghai Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Commission announced that it must delay the approval of notification letters required for business visas until the middle of September for any non-essential travel. Visits to carry out inspections, market research and training are considered essential.

"At the same time, [travelers] should try their best to limit the number of people coming and the amount of time they spend in Shanghai," the commission said on its website. It added that the restrictions have been introduced in Beijing, as well as other Chinese, cities under government orders to "ensure the smooth hosting of the Olympics and safeguard the city's social stability during the Olympics."