About the Consulate

U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai

First established in 1844, the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai reopened in 1980 at its present location at 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Road in an early 20th century mansion.  The Consulate General also has offices in the Westgate Mall and the Shanghai Centre on Nanjing West Road.

Today, Shanghai’s strategic location, solid infrastructure, skilled workforce, university and media concentration, pro-business government, and outward orientation make it a regional center, a frequent stop for official visitors, and a prime location for U.S. Government agencies. 

With staff from the Departments of State, Commerce, Agriculture, and Homeland Security as well as the Food and Drug Administration and Federal Aviation Administration, the Consulate carries out a broad mission.   Consulate responsibilities include providing routine and emergency services to the more than 27,000 long-term American residents in our district and an estimated 1.3 million visitors per year.   The Consulate also promotes U.S. policy and greater understanding of U.S. values and views as well as cooperation on issues ranging from environmental protection, food and drug safety, rule of law, protection of human rights, shipping security, to aviation;.   In addition, the Consulate works to inform U.S. officials on developments in East China, to broaden dialogue between the U.S. and China, to increase U.S. exports to East China, to support market-based reforms and intellectual property rights protection, and to facilitate legitimate travel to the U.S. by providing non-immigrant visa services.  

Shanghai’s “East China” consular district, centered around the Yangtze River delta, includes 208 million people in the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui, as well as the Shanghai municipality.  Shanghai is home to the world’s busiest port, which handles around 25% of China’s trade, and several of the country’s top universities.