China eases entry of foreign nationals

The National Immigration Administration has rolled out five measures commencing January 11, 2024, to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into China. These measures aim to streamline and address obstacles in the processes related to foreign nationals engaging in business, study, or touring in China.

1. Port visa requirements for foreign nationals coming to China are relaxed.

Foreign individuals urgently needing to engage in non-diplomatic, non-official activities such as business cooperation, visiting, investment, entrepreneurship, family reunion, or handling personal affairs, who are unable to obtain a visa abroad in time, can apply for a port visa upon entry by presenting relevant documents such as an invitation letter to the port visa authorities.

2. Foreign nationals from 54 countries can enjoy a 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy.

China reinstated the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, allowing visitors from a number of countries to travel to selected cities and areas for six day without previously applying for a visa. To be eligible for visa-free transit, the visitor must be going on to a third country after leaving China. Entering China under the visa-free transit policy when not continuing travel to a third country will be considered illegal entry. 25 of the 27 countries in the Europe Schengen area can enjoy this policy, including Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, etc. In most cases, travelers are required to exit the country through one of the same ports that are permitted for entry. It is important to pay attention to the permitted arrival airports, railway stations, or ports for both entry and exit when planning a trip, and to make sure that the itinerary in China is within the permitted areas. During their short stay, travelers can engage in tourism and business-related activities.

Conditions for a 144-hour visa-free transit in China:

• You must have a valid passport or other travel documents from one of the 54 eligible countries.
• You will transit through one of China’s participating cities and ports.
• The country or region you will transit to is a third country or region.
• You have a visa to the destination country (if applicable).
• You have an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and dates.
• Your transit time will be no more than 144 hours.
• You will stay within the permitted region.
• You will not have any stopovers.

3. Foreign nationals in China can conveniently apply for visa extensions, renewals, or reissues at the local exit-entry administration of the public security authorities.

Non-diplomatic and non-official foreign individuals engaged in short-term activities such as business cooperation, visiting, investment, family reunion, tourism, and handling personal affairs, with valid and reasonable reasons to continue staying in China, can apply for a visa extension, renewal, or reissue at the local exit-entry administration of the public security authorities near their place of stay.

4. Foreign nationals in China requiring multiple entries and exits can apply for a re-entry visa.

If foreign nationals in China have valid and reasonable reasons for multiple entries and exits, they can apply for a multiple-entry visa by presenting an invitation letter and other relevant supporting documents to the exit-entry administration of the public security authorities.

5. Application materials simplified for visa documents for foreign nationals in China.

When foreign nationals apply for visa documents and their accommodation registration records, business licenses, and other information can be accessed through information sharing, they are exempt from providing related paper materials.

Additionally, for foreign nationals in China applying for short-term family reunion visas, a statement declaring the family relationship by the inviter can be used instead of providing a family relationship certificate.

Meanwhile, foreign nationals with permanent residency in China, holding a permanent residency card, can conduct financial transactions such as banking, securities, and foreign exchange.

Since the issuance of the new version of the permanent residence ID for foreigners in 2023, the number of new applications and replacements has significantly increased.

Foreign nationals with permanent residency in China can conveniently purchase plane and train tickets; check in at hotels; conduct financial transactions such as banking, securities, and foreign exchange; handle communication services such as mobile phones and WiFi access; and process matters related to taxation, social insurance, property registration, public security and traffic management, customs, and other government services. They can also easily register and use various internet e-commerce platforms such as Alipay, WeChat, and JD.