Overseas exhibitors and visitors are allowed to apply for visa extensions on-site at the third China International Import Expo now underway in Shanghai, local authorities said.

Overseas exhibitors and visitors who need to extend their stay in Shanghai due to preliminary exhibition arrangements and follow-up business negotiations can complete visa extensions at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the venue of the expo, said the exit-entry administration of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Short-term staff participating in the expo who need to apply for residence permits after entering the country can also submit applications at the overseas personnel service station of the exhibition center, it added.

"It's convenient. I did not expect to be able to deal with visa extensions at the exposition site," said Marco Russo, an Italian jewelry exhibitor.

"This is our second year at the expo. China's open market has a huge attraction," said Russo. "After getting our visas extended, we will have more time to explore the Chinese market and visit dealers after the event."

The service station has also opened a green channel for foreigners, who have either lost their passports or have them damaged but are eager to leave the country, offering services such as reporting the loss of passports and reissuing visa documents.

This year's CIIE is expected to see around 400,000 visitors from home and abroad, making it one of the largest events across the world in 2020.