China Visas Automatically Renewed For 2 Months During Epidemic

During the epidemic prevention and control period, the expiry of the visa for foreigners in China can be automatically extended for two months

疫情防控期间，在华外国人签证期限到期可自动顺延两个月丨权威发布

Some foreigners in China reported that due to the impact of the epidemic, their visas to China were about to expire but they were unable to leave China. In response, Liu Haitao, director of the Department of Border Inspection and Management of the National Immigration Administration, organized the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council on 1st March. According to the press conference, special flexible policies have been introduced.

During the epidemic prevention and control period, the period of stay of foreigners in China may be extended automatically for two months. Within the extended period, there is no need to go through the extension procedure any more, and you can still stay in China legally or leave the country normally. At the same time, for Chinese and foreign persons involved in epidemic prevention work such as medical assistance, drug development, academic exchange, etc., local public security exit-entry administrations provide 24-hour expedited visa application services. For foreigners who come to China to participate in the exchange and cooperation in epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic or to engage in important business and scientific research activities, if they come to China in a hurry and cannot obtain a visa in advance, they can apply for a port visa at the port of entry

In order to effectively reduce the movement and concentration of people and reduce the risk of cross-infection infection, the State Administration of Immigration has introduced "Internet + Government Affairs" service measures. Foreigners in China, like Chinese citizens, can enjoy online applications, mailed applications, and Real-time inquiry service for the adjustment of immigration policy at home and abroad on the official website of the State Administration of Migration

Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I'm not staying in China now, my visa will be extended?

No ! During the epidemic prevention and control period, only for the foreigners who are staying in China, their stay or residence permits can be extended automatically for two months. Within the automatically extended period, there is no need to go through the extension procedure any more, and you can still stay in China legally or leave the country normally. For people involved in epidemic prevention work such as medical assistance, drug development, academic exchange, etc., local immigration bureau provide 24-hour expedited visa application services. For people who come to China to participate in the exchange and cooperation in epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic or to engage in important business and scientific research activities, if they come to China in a hurry and cannot obtain a visa in advance, they can apply for a port visa(or visa on arrival) at the port of entry.

2. Do special measures apply to all foreigners in China？

Yes. For all foreigners currently in China, there are no specific region restrictions.

3. If my visa is going to expire in July, will it be extended automactically to September?

The policy is only for the epidemic prevention and control period, it is intended to ease the intensive situation of visa extension and reduce the movement and concentration of people. Therefore, the deadline for these measures will be adjusted at any time according to the epidemic situation. It depends on the situation of the epidemic prevention and control and the official notification. During this period, foreigners allowed to leave the country as usual even your visa expired, but remider you that once you leave the country during the prevention and control period, the visa will be handled according to the situation outside the country.

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References by IIC and HiTouch

Proofread by Laura Garcia from WAYWARD Translations

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