FAQ(2): How Foreign Nationals Can Enter China？

Background 背景

Starting from March 28th 2020, China has released entry ban for foreign nationals. Entry with diplomatic, service, courtesy, C visas or China Permanent Residence ID card 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; visas issued after March 28th will not be affected.

因新冠肺炎疫情全球蔓延，2020年3月28日起，中国已经暂时停止外国人持目前有效签证和居留许可入境，其中持外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证和中国绿卡者不受影响，仍可入境；除此之外，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，也可向中国驻外使领馆申办签证；3月28日之后签发的签证不受影响。

This policy has been implemented for more than a month. As the progress of the resumption of work & production in China and the achievements of epidemic control in some countries, a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on April 21 that China is discussing with some countries to establish a fast track for the urgently needed personnel who are engaged in important business and technology. 

该政策目前已执行一月有余，鉴于国内复工复产正有序推进，以及部分国家的疫情控制已取得一定成绩，4月21日，外交部发言人表示：中方正在同有关国家商谈建立重要商务、技术等急需人员往来的快捷通道。

On April 29, China and South Korea announced the establishment of a "Fast Track" for important and urgently needed personnel exchanges between the two countries. (Link: China & South Korea announce “Fast Track” Entry for Selected Personnel from May)

4月29日，中韩宣布建立两国重要和急需人员往来的“快捷通道”。(链接：5月起，中韩“快捷通道”来啦！）

China is also discussing with Singapore to facilitate necessary personnel exchanges while ensuring public safety.

中国也在同新加坡探讨在确保公共安全的同时，为必要人员往来提供便利。

Recently, iVisaChina has received more and more consultations: During the epidemic, how can the foreign nationals enter China under the current policy? Based on the discussions with the officials, today, let us talk about this topic: For foreigners who do NOT hold diplomatic, official, courtesy, C visa, or PR card, how can they enter China?

日前，iVisaChina(赞居)收到越来越多的咨询：疫情期间，确有必要和紧急需求的外国人是否可以入境以及如何入境中国？经向政府外事管理部门了解后，特将关于非持有外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证的或中国绿卡的外国人如何入境中国的相关信息在此分享：

1

During the current epidemic prevention and control period, how do foreigners who do not hold diplomatic, service, courtesy, C visa and PR Card?现疫情防控期间，非持有外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证和中国绿卡的外国人是否都需要申请签证才能入境中国？
Qualified foreigners can apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad to enter China. Foreigners who hold visas or residence permits issued before March 28 still need to re-apply valid visas. 是。符合“一定条件”的外籍人士向中国驻外使领馆申办签证入境中国。外国人如果持有3月28日之前签发的签证或居留许可，也需要重新向中国驻外使领馆重新申办有效签证。

2

Under the current policy, what documents and materials to be provided to apply for visa?现政策下，外国人需要提供什么材料申办签证？
In addition to the regular required materials, such as passport, visa application form, photos and so on. A special invitation letter issued by the Chinese government will also be needed. Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will review the materials provided and decide whether to issue a valid visa. 除了常规的材料，如护照，签证申请表，照片等材料外，特别需要强调的是，需持有中国政府出具的《邀请确认函》。中国驻外使领馆会根据所提供的材料进行审核，并决定是否签发有效签证。

3

What conditions do foreigners need to meet to apply for the Invitation  Letter?外国人需要满足什么条件可以申请《邀请确认函》？
Foreigners must meet the following two requirements:

• He/she needs to participate in the city's necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities and major scientific research.

• The above project should be very urgent and the applicant is irreplaceable.

There is no official announcement about how to define the above two requirements. According to our communication with relevant departments, the foreign nationals should have high-level in impacting companies, should have “decisive, urgent and irreplaceable” influence to the important project.外国人需满足以下两个必须条件：

• 需为参加本市必要经贸、科技、重大科研等人员

• 上述项目存在紧急性和本人的不可替代性等因素急需来华人员

如何界定上述2个”必须条件”，目前官方尚未有细则对外公布。就我们和相关部门的沟通获悉：该外籍人员需要确实对该重大项目有决定性、紧急性和不可替代性影响。

4

Where can apply for the Invitation Letter?在哪里申请《邀请确认函》？
Generally, the authorized department of the invitation letter is the Foreign Affairs Office. Companies registered in Shanghai can contact their district Foreign Affairs Office to ask for information. In Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang, companies can contact the Foreign Investment Division or the Commission of Commerce.《邀请确认函》被授权单位一般是政府外事办公室。注册在上海的公司可以联系公司注册地所在区的外事办公室。注册在江苏、安徽和浙江的公司可以联系当地的外商投资处或地方商务委员会提出申请。

5

How to apply for the Invitation Letter?如何申请《邀请确认函》？
The current process is that the company applies to the relevant local department firstly, then reports to the District Foreign Affairs Office, and the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office will review and approve finally. The general process is:

• Confirm the company registration place.

• Apply to the Business Committee of the district where the company is registered or the business service center of the street where the company belongs, and then get the documents which need to be prepared.

• The Commission of Commerce or business service center will review the materials first, and report it to the District Foreign Affairs Office where they are located for the second review.

• The District Foreign Affairs Office reports to the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office for final review and approval.

目前的流程是公司先向当地主管单位提出申请，然后上报给区外事办，并由市外事办最终审核并批复。大致流程是：

• 确认公司注册地；

• 向公司注册地所在区的商务委员会或所属街道的营商服务中心提出申请，将被告知需要准备的材料；

• 商务委员会或营商服务中心就材料进行初审，然后上报给所在区外事办进行二审；

• 区外事办上报市外事办最终审核并批复。

6

What documents are required to apply for the Invitation Letter？申请《邀请确认函》的所需资料？
The application documents might be different for different projects. It is recommended that the company's project leader contact the District Commission of Commerce first for relevant procedures and materials. The following three documents are indispensable.

• Application letter or situation description issued by the company: project content, fund scope, applicant's responsibilities, necessity and urgency shall be indicated

• Information form: including personal information, purpose of visiting China, etc

• Letter of guarantee: guarantee that foreigners should abide by relevant laws and isolation policies in China during the epidemic

由于项目性质不同，所需文件也有所不同。建议公司的项目负责人先联系区商务委员会了解相关手续和材料。目前下面三份文件必不可少。

• 公司出具申请书或情况说明：需注明项目内容，资金范围，申请人职责，必要性和紧急性等

• 信息表：含个人信息，访华目的等

• 保证书：保证外国人疫情期间在华要遵守相关法律和隔离政策等

7

What kind of visa can be applied with the Invitation Letter and how long is the validity period?有了《邀请确认函》后，申请到的签证种类是哪一类，有效期是多久？
It’s generally the business visit visa, M visa. The visa is valid for a minimum period of 30 days and a maximum period of 180 days. The final visa type shall be decided by the Chinese embassy and consulate. 此类人员申请到的签证一般是M签证，即商务访问签证，签证有效期最短30天，最长不超过180天。最终以中国驻外使领馆签发出来的签证为准。

8

Can family members enter together?

家属是否可以一同入境？

You can add family member information when submit the application. However, in principle, family visas will not be issued at this stage.

在申请过程中，可以添加家属信息。但现阶段原则上不签发家属的签证。

The above information is consultation with the Foreign Affairs Offices of each district. The specific documents required and practical operations shall be coordinated and communicated with the Foreign Affairs Office, the Commission of Commerce or other institutions in combination with the specific situation of the applicant and the company.

以上信息来自于对各区外事办咨询后的信息整理，具体所需文件和实际操作还需结合申请人本身和公司的具体情况与外事办，商务委员会等机构协调沟通。

部分信息来源：外交部网、外交部发言人办公室

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