FAQ on New Entry Policy: Can You Enter China and How?

China will allow the entry of foreign nationals holding 3 categories of valid Chinese residence permits(work, personal matters, and reunion)with no need for applying for new visasstarting on 0 am., 28 September 2020, 

VisaOfChina (a brand under AnyHelper) has put together a list of frequently asked questions about the new policy, hoping to help you understand the situation clearly.  

 Q1: What is the difference between the new policy and the previous policy for 36 countries in Europe and 11 countries in Asia?

A1: It has not been mentioned before that if the residence permit has expired, you can apply for a new visa without PU invitation letter.

Now the announcement stated, "If the above three categories of residence permits held by foreign nationals expired after 0 a.m., 28 March 2020, the holders may apply for relevant visas by presenting the expired residence permits and relevant materials to the Chinese embassies or consulates on the condition that the purpose of the holders’visit to China remains unchanged. "

Q2: Can foreign students enter China?

A2: Unfortunately foreign students are not allowed back yet.

Q3: Which applicants still need to apply for PU invitation letter to enter China?

A3:

Type 1: Foreigners who have previously held three types of residence permits (work, personal affairs, reunion), but expired before 0 am. on March 28, 2020.

Type 2: Foreigners who have NOT previously held the above three types of residence permits.

Q4: What does personal matters mean?

A4:  You can check your residence permit page. If the purpose of residence says 私人事务(which means private affair), then it's a residence permit for personal matters.

Normally, if you are in China to stay with your family or start your own business, then the residence permit is of personal matters type.

Q5: What are the materials needed for applying for the new visa?

A5: Requirements may vary depending on the location, please check with local Chinese embassy.

Q6: What's the difference between a work visa and a work permit?

A6: When you apply for a work visa outside of China, you need to apply for a work permit notification first. 

Then apply for a work visa at the Chinese Embassy with the notification letter (valid for 90 days). 

Enter the country with a work visa and go to the local exit and entry bureau within 30 days to exchange for a residence permit for work (usually valid for no less than 1 year).

It is not possible for one to hold a valid work visa and valid residence permit for work at the same time.

Q7: Does one still need to quarantine for 14 days after entering according to the new policy?

Overseas travelers need to quarantine according to local epidemic prevention and control regulations, which may vary depending on the location.

The announcement stated, "The above-mentioned personnel shall strictly abide by the Chinese regulations on epidemic prevention and control."

Q8: What is Visa、Residence permit？

Visa

VISA is  a permit issued by the competent authorities of a sovereign state to foreigners and allow them to enter the country. After being examined and approved by the immigration administration at the port, foreigners may enter other countries legally with valid passport and visa.

There is a ‘VISA’ marked on the top of Chinese visa.

签证是主权国家主管机关发给外国人并允许其入境的许可凭证。经口岸移民管理机构查验准许后，外国人可持有效护照、签证合法进入他国。

我国的签证均有明显的“签证（VISA）”标识。

Slide to the right，the 'certificate sample' will shows different visa appearances.

Residence Permit

'Residence Permit for foreigners of the People's Republic of China' (中华人民共和国外国人居留许可) is a residence certificate that foreigners apply with the exit and entry administration department of the public security Bureau after entering China with relevant visas. The holder of residence permit will be allowed to enter or leave China without a visa.

There are two marks named 'FOREIGNER’S RESIDENCE PERMIT' and 'PURPOSE FOR RESIDENCE' right above the Chinese residence permit, it's shows the type of the Residence permit.

The five types of Residence permit：

• Residence permit for work

• Residence permit for study

• Residence permit for journalists

• Residence permit for reunion

• Residence permit for private affairs

• 工作类居留证件

• 学习类居留证件

• 记者类居留证件

• 团聚类居留证件

• 私人事务类居留证件

Those marked with "work", "private affairs" or "Reunion" in the column of "reasons for residence" are the three types of residence permits mentioned in the announcement on September 23rd.

The purpose for residence of the sample is study.

Q9: '3 Types of Residence Permit'

Who owns them?

The target residence

According to the relevant laws and standard documents of China, the three types of residence permit mentioned in the notice are all issued to specific recipients:

Certificates of residence for work shall be issued to personnel working in China;

Certificate of Residence for Private Affairs is issued to persons who have long-term visits to relatives in China for work such as spouses, parents, children under 18 years of age, parents of foreign nationals residing in China, parents of their spouses and persons who need to stay in China for other personal reasons;

Reunion-type residence certificates shall be issued to family members of Chinese nationals who need to stay in China for family reunions, family members of foreigners who have Chinese permanent residence in China, and persons who need to stay in China for reasons such as foster care.

根据我国有关法律和规范性文件，公告中提到的三类居留许可都有明确的发放对象：

工作类居留证件，发给在中国境内工作的人员；

私人事务类居留证件，发给入境长期探亲的因工作、学习等事由在中国境内居留的外国人的配偶、父母、未满18周岁的子女、配偶的父母，以及因其他私人事务需要在中国境内居留的人员；

团聚类居留证件，发给因家庭团聚需要在中国境内居留的中国公民的家庭成员和具有中国永久居留资格的外国人的家庭成员，以及因寄养等原因需要在中国境内居留的人员。

Slide to the right，check out what the new '3 types  of Residence Permit' looks like.

The highlighted part indicates how the latest version of the "Three Types of Residence Permits look like.

Additionally, the old version of the residence permit issued before June 1, 2019 must especially include the name of the Bureau of Entry and Exit of the Ministry of Public Security（公安部出入境管理局). Afterwards, the name of the issuing authority must adjusted to "National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China" (中华人民共和国国家移民管理局) according to the actual conditions of the reform of the institution. The old version of residence permit within the valid period is still available for normal use.

需要特别补充的是，2019年6月1日前签发的旧版居留许可签发机关名称为“公安部出入境管理局”。之后，根据机构改革实际，签发机关名称调整为“中华人民共和国国家移民管理局”。有效期内的旧版居留许可均可正常使用。

Source: 国家移民管理局

 National Immigration Administration

Scan code below to see the original announcement

If you have any questions about the announcement or visa applications, please contact our visa consultant Alex (WeChat ID: AnyHelperAlex) or send your questions to our WeChat account.

Expat-Friendly Businesses

Expat Gamer is a gamer community incubated by AnyHelper!

If you are a game lover, follow Expat Gamer now!

Free promotion/network sharing for expat-friendly businesses. Learn more HERE.

You might also like ▼

AnyShanghai Advisors

AnyShanghai Advisors provide professional suggestions and solutions to the expat communities in Shanghai. If you have questions related to their expertise, feel free to contact them.

SWIPE to click name card or extract code for profiles

We have 30+ advisors so far,

Scan code above to view more advisors for other fields!

Get daily news, tips, and events in Shanghai

Connect with expat communities and industry experts

Click "Wow" if you like this article