Most international visitors need either a Chinese visa or a visa-free entry route to attend bauma China in Shanghai. China provides an M (business) visa for trade-fair attendance, a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit through Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao for 55 eligible nationalities, and a unilateral visa-free scheme that lets citizens of a growing list of countries (including many EU states, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and others) stay up to 30 days without a visa. Apply through the Chinese visa application centre in your country of residence — standard processing is about 4–7 working days — and carry an invitation letter from the organiser or your Chinese business partner. Verify your nationality's current eligibility on the Chinese embassy site or https://www.visaforchina.cn/ before booking flights.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Fees are set on a reciprocity basis and vary by nationality (e.g. US citizens pay USD 185 for a single/double/multiple M visa). Apply at the Chinese visa application centre for your place of residence with an organiser or partner invitation letter; biometrics are taken in person. The eligible-country list is revised periodically; confirm your nationality on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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