Foreigners can reapply for visas under new rules

China has taken measures to restrict the entry of foreigners to prevent the increased risk of imported novel coronavirus cases, but foreigners engaged in necessary activities in China can reapply for visas from Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, a senior official with the National Immigration Administration said on March 30.

1.The suspended entry mainly includes foreigners with valid visas, residence permits and APEC business travel cards, he said, adding that port visa services also have been suspended.

2. The grounded port visa services include 24-hour, 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa exemptions, Hainan province visa exemptions, Shanghai cruise ship visa exemptions, 144-hour visa exemptions for groups of foreigners entering South China's Guangdong province from Hong Kong and Macao, and visa exemptions for tourist groups from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to enter South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

3. Foreigners holding diplomatic, official and courtesy visas, as well as C-visas issued mainly to inbound and outbound transport staff, will not be affected by the restriction, Liu said.

4. Foreigners who engaged in necessary activities such as trade, science and technology, and anti-epidemic work in China, as well as for urgent humanitarian reasons, can reapply for visas from Chinese embassies and consulates abroad.

It is illegal to violate quarantine regulations and enter or leave the country without authorization, and violators will be held accountable, a senior official said on Monday.

Liu also noted that it is illegal to violate quarantine regulations and enter or leave the country without authorization.

1. Mainland citizens who enter the country within 14 days shall be prevented from leaving the country again by the border inspection personnel, he said.

2. Foreigners in China who are still in 14-day quarantine period but are found trying to breach the isolation rule and leave the country without permission will be handed over to the competent authorities, according to law, and will be prohibited from re-entering China within a certain period, he added.

The administration will work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to determine visa entry policy according to the development of the epidemic situation; any policy adjustment will be announced in a timely manner, he added.

Under the current situation it is responsible and necessary to reduce unnecessary entry and exit activities as much as possible, and entry restriction is a temporary measure that has taken into consideration other countries' current moves, said Liu Haitao, director of the National Immigration Administration's border inspection department.

As of Sunday, China has found 723 imported confirmed cases and 165 suspected cases. The imported cases accounted for the majority of new infections, according to the health authority's data.

If my visa expires, what should i do? 

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During the epidemic period, foreigners who have enjoyed the automatical 60 days visa extension policy must leave China mainland before the 60 days extension expires. Regardless of whether the foreigner hold mutiple visas, they must leave China mainland before the 60 days extension expires and they will not be able to re-enter China mainland until the entry restrictions are removed.

Many of you may read this, it is not true.

I called National Immigration Administration and local Exit and Entry Administration to confirm. below is what I got.

"Foreigners in China will have their stay or residence permits extended automatically for two months during the epidemic period"  it was announced on March 1

1. Two months extention is for those whose visa expires during the epidemic. if the epidemic ends before your visa expires, it is not for you. 

2. It is for foreigners currently living in China

What to do if epidemic lasts for more than 2 months, and my visa expires 

1. Wait for further notice, National Immigration Administration has no plan to ask you leave at this special situation, as most of the international flights were cancelled.

2. If the visa is about to expire, go to local Exit and Entry Administration and ask for special extension, I was told they will help you.

Different cities may have different explanation of the  policies, so please call local Exit and Entry administration and get the official answer

Source: China Daily；

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/xRBhpFjzXhJjPg76-oXyxg, Expat Focus

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