FAQ: China to Suspend Entry of Foreign Nationals
FAQ: China to Suspend Entry of Foreign Nationals
关于暂时停止持有效中国签证、居留许可的外国人入境的公告的政策解读
China’s announcement on March 26th:
“In view of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits still valid to the time of this announcement, effective from 0 a.m., 28 march 2020. Entry by foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards will be suspended as well. Policies including port visas, 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, Hainan 30-day visa-free policy, 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai Port, Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong or Macao SAR, and Guangxi 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries will also be temporarily suspended.
Entry with diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas will not be affected. Foreign nationals coming to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates. Entry by foreign nationals with visas issued after this announcement will not be affected.”
外交部、国家移民局3月26日晚发布公告：
“鉴于新冠肺炎疫情在全球范围快速蔓延，中方决定自2020年3月28日0时起，暂时停止外国人持目前有效来华签证和居留许可入境。暂停外国人持APEC商务旅行卡入境。暂停口岸签证、24/72/144小时过境免签、海南入境免签、上海邮轮免签、港澳地区外国人组团入境广东144小时免签、东盟旅游团入境广西免签等政策。
持外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证入境不受影响。外国人如来华从事必要的经贸、科技等活动，以及出于紧急人道主义需要，可向中国驻外使领馆申办签证。外国人持公告后签发的签证入境不受影响”。
Following this announcement, iVisaChina has received many inquiries about this new policy. After investigating from the National Immigration Administration, Customs and Border Departments, here are common questions we already can answer:
此公告一经发布，iVisaChina随即收到关于此公告的诸多咨询，经向国家移民局、海关和边检等部门了解后，特将咨询量最多的问题以及解答分享给各位：
1
Does this rule affect people holding foreign permanent resident ID card of China?
此规定对于持有中华人民共和国永久居留证的外国人有影响么？
People holding foreign permanent resident ID card of China can still enter China normally. However, due to the reduction of international flights during the epidemic prevention and control period, we recommend you to book your tickets and do relevant preparations in advance.
持中华人民共和国永久居留证的外籍人员仍然可以正常入境。但由于疫情防控期间国际客运航班量减少，请提前购买机票，做好相应准备。
2
Will the entry of residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and overseas Chinese be affected from March 28th?
3月28日0点以后，港澳台人员及华侨的入境会受到影响么？
Residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan & overseas Chinese are Chinese citizens with relevant documents (such as Hong Kong and Macau Pass, Taiwan pass, Chinese passport, etc.), their entry will not be affected. But corresponding detection and isolation will have to be done in accordance with local regulations.
港澳台人员及华侨属中国籍，凭相关证件入境（如港澳通行证，台胞证，中国护照等）不受影响，但需按照目的地城市规定执行检测隔离等措施。
3
If foreigners have got on the plane, but the flights arrive after 00:00 on the 28th, can they enter the country normally?
如果外籍人员已经上飞机，但是航班到达国内时间是28日0点之后，是否可以正常入境？
After 00:00 on the 28th, foreigners’ entries will be temporarily suspended if holding the following visa types:
Foreigners with current valid visas and residence permits;
Foreigners holding APEC business travel cards;
Foreigners with port free visa, 24/72/144-hour transit visa exemption, Hainan entry visa exemption, Shanghai cruise visa exemption, 144-hour visa exemption from Hong Kong and Macao to Guangdong, and Guangxi exemption for ASEAN tourist groups.
28日0点前入境的外籍人员不受影响。28日0点后暂时停止以下签证入境：
外国人持目前有效来华签证和居留许可;
外国人持APEC商务旅行卡;
口岸签证、24/72/144小时过境免签、海南入境免签、上海邮轮免签、港澳地区外国人组团入境广东144小时免签、东盟旅游团入境广西免签等政策。
4
What type of visa foreigners should have to enter China under this policy?
该政策下哪类外籍人员可入境？
Foreigners with diplomatic, official, courtesy, or C visa:
Diplomatic Visa: Issued by the competent authority of a country's government in accordance with law for persons who should be granted diplomatic privileges and immunities when entering or passing through the country's borders. Diplomatic visas are generally issued to persons holding diplomatic passports.
Official Visa: Issued to foreign government officials, missions or UN staff members who are assigned to perform official duties in China
Courtesy Visa: Referring to a visa issued to a person who holds a diplomatic, official passport to travel to another country for private reasons, or other persons who need to be treated as a courtesy.
C Visa: Issued to international train attendants, crew members of international aircraft, crew members of international sailing ships and their accompanying family members, and drivers of international road transportation for flight, aviation and shipping tasks
Foreigners engaged in necessary economic, trade, scientific and technological activities.
Foreigners to enter for urgent humanitarian needs.
Foreigners with a visa issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad after 28th.
持外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证入境不受影响。
外国人如来华从事必要的经贸、科技等活动，以及出于紧急人道主义需要，可向中国驻外使领馆申办签证。
外国人持28日后中国驻外使领馆签发的签证可正常入境。
5
After 00:00 on the 28th, how can foreigners enter China when they do NOT hold diplomatic, official, courtesy, or C visas enter China?
28日0点以后非持外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证的外籍人员如何才能入境？
Foreigners who do not hold diplomatic, official, courtesy, or C visas can enter China normally with visas issued by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad after 28th. The visa application needs to be confirmed with the local Chinese embassies or consulates.
非持外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证的外籍人员可持28日后中国驻外使领馆签发的签证正常入境。签证申请可具体与当地中国使领馆确认。
6
How to define “the necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs”?
如何理解“必要的经贸、科技等活动，以及紧急人道主义需要”？
It is generally initiated by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and determined by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad. The visa application needs to be confirmed with the local Chinese embassies or consulates.
一般是由政府间及非政府组织间发起，由境外中国使领馆判定。具体签证申请可与当地中国使领馆确认。
7
Can foreigners in China apply for work permits, residence permits and visas as normal?
已在华外籍人员是否可以正常进行工作许可证，居留许可证及签证的申请？
The permits application for foreigners who are in China will not be affected, foreigners can still apply for work permits and residence permits normally if they are in China.
该政策对已在华外籍人员的证件办理不受影响，可正常进行工作许可证、居留许可证的申请和延期。
8
What should I do if my current residence permit expires while I cannot enter China for extension?
现持有的居留许可因无法入境中国办理延期，导致境外过期，该如何处理？
Foreigners can re-apply for a valid visa abroad if their residence permits expire when abroad, after the epidemic situation is stable and the ban is removed, they can enter China for extension with relevant documents.
该类人员可在境外重新申请有效签证，待疫情稳定，政策解封后，再入境中国办理相关证件的延期。
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