The Chinese government has made additional amendments to its visa and residence permit regulations. The new regulations will take effect on September 1. The new Q and S visa categories, known as the “family reunion” visa, are meant to make things less complicated for Chinese and expat family members traveling to China. The new regulations also include biometric measures such as mandatory fingerprinting when applying for a residence permit. Here is a breakdown of the changes to regulations for visa and residence permits.
1. Changes to Visa Regulations
The “family reunion” or Q visa
Currently, foreigners with an L visa may visit China for tourism, family reunions, or personal affairs. The new regulations limit the L visa to tourism purposes only. At the same time, two “family reunion” visas will be introduced: the Q visa and the S visa.
Currently, foreigners with an L visa may visit China for tourism, family reunions, or personal affairs. The new regulations limit the L visa to tourism purposes only. At the same time, two “family reunion” visas will be introduced: the Q visa and the S visa.
The Q visa will be issued to overseas Chinese visiting relatives in the country. The Q visa is divided into Q1 and Q2. Q1 visas will be issued to the relatives of Chinese citizens applying to enter and reside in China for purposes of family reunion, the relatives of people who have qualified for permanent residence in China, and people applying to enter and reside in China for purposes such as adoption. Documents required includes an invitation letter from and proof of relationship to the party that resides in China.
Q2 visas will be issued to the relatives of Chinese citizens and people qualified for permanent residence in China who are applying to enter and stay for a short period just to visit.
The S visa will be issued to the relatives of foreign residents visiting China for a family reunion. There are two types: the S1 and S2 visas. The S1 visa applies to relatives who are paying long-term visits to foreigners residing in China for work, study, or other purposes. A relative is defined as a spouse, parent, child under age 18, parents-in-law, and others.
The S2 visa is for short-term visits by relatives. Documents required for the S1/S2 visas include an invitation letter and proof of relationship from the relative(s) residing in China.
The R visa
The R visa applies to senior-level overseas professionals whose skills are urgently needed in China. Applicants for the R visa must meet all requirements set forth by the relevant authorities and provide documentation that includes a letter from the responsible government department. Before R visas can be issued, further rules will need to be set out – probably by the National Foreign Expert Bureau – to define their requirements and procedures (see Immigration lawyer Gary Chodorow’s blog for details).
The R visa applies to senior-level overseas professionals whose skills are urgently needed in China. Applicants for the R visa must meet all requirements set forth by the relevant authorities and provide documentation that includes a letter from the responsible government department. Before R visas can be issued, further rules will need to be set out – probably by the National Foreign Expert Bureau – to define their requirements and procedures (see Immigration lawyer Gary Chodorow’s blog for details).
The new F visa and the M visa
Under the current visa system, the F visa applies to foreigners who come to China for commercial and non-commercial purposes including business activities, scientific and culture exchanges, short-term study and internships.
Under the current visa system, the F visa applies to foreigners who come to China for commercial and non-commercial purposes including business activities, scientific and culture exchanges, short-term study and internships.
After the new regulations take effect, the F visa will only be issued to foreign visitors coming to China for non-commercial purposes, such as cultural exchanges and inspections. Meanwhile, a separate M visa will be added and issued to foreigners visiting for business and trade purposes.
Splitting the X visa
The regulations have divided the current X student visa into the X-1 visa and the X-2 visa, with the X-1 visa applying to foreigners coming to China for a long-term study period (greater than 180 days) while theX-2 visa applies to foreigners coming to China for a short-term study period (less than or equal to 180 days).
The regulations have divided the current X student visa into the X-1 visa and the X-2 visa, with the X-1 visa applying to foreigners coming to China for a long-term study period (greater than 180 days) while theX-2 visa applies to foreigners coming to China for a short-term study period (less than or equal to 180 days).
2. Changes to Residence Permits
Types of residence permits
Residence permits are categorized into five types:
Residence permits are categorized into five types:
- Working residence permits
- Study residence permits
- Journalist residence permits
- Family reunion residence permits
- Personal affair residence permits
Processing time of residence permits
Currently, foreigners holding a D visa, Z visa, X visa and J-1 visa must obtain a residence permit within 30 days of entry. The processing period for residence permit applications is five business days. However, the processing period will be extended to 15 calendar days under the new rules.
Currently, foreigners holding a D visa, Z visa, X visa and J-1 visa must obtain a residence permit within 30 days of entry. The processing period for residence permit applications is five business days. However, the processing period will be extended to 15 calendar days under the new rules.
Biometric information
Foreigners applying for residence permits will have to submit their passports (or other travel documents), photos, and other supporting documents to the local exit and entry bureau, and provide fingerprints and other human biometric information. It’s currently unclear what the “other human biometric information” will be.
Foreigners applying for residence permits will have to submit their passports (or other travel documents), photos, and other supporting documents to the local exit and entry bureau, and provide fingerprints and other human biometric information. It’s currently unclear what the “other human biometric information” will be.
Supporting documents
Spouses must provide the original copy of their certification of marriage, notarized by a public notary in the country where the certificate was issued and authenticated by the Chinese Embassy there. In addition, families with children must supply the original birth certificate, also notarized by a public notary in the country where the certificate was issued and authenticated by the Chinese Embassy. If it was issued in China, there is no need for this step.
Health certificate
Foreigners must provide a health certificate when applying for a residence permit that is valid for more than one year. The health certificate is only valid for six months from the date of issuance.
Foreigners must provide a health certificate when applying for a residence permit that is valid for more than one year. The health certificate is only valid for six months from the date of issuance.
More information can be found here.
Sourced from China Briefing
Photos from KK and striatic (Flickr)
