How to Extend Your China Visa If It Expired During the Outbreak

On March 1, Liu Haitao, Director of the Border Inspection & Management Department of China’s National Immigration Administration, announced that all foreign residents can automatically extend their stay by an additional 2 months on the condition that their visa expired during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Liu Haitao

Anyone whose visa expired does not need to visit the Entry and Exit Bureau to extend it. 

According to Liu Haitao, you can either stay in China over those next 2 months or leave the country as you would have before the outbreak under normal circumstances.

Additionally, all foreign workers involved in medical industries such as patient assistance, drug research and development, and any other profession contributing to our fight against pandemics like the novel coronavirus may qualify for 24-hour emergency visa services from the Entry and Exit Administration.

Due to such extraordinary times, the above-mentioned professionals coming to China from overseas to address urgent and important matters who may not have been able to obtain the appropriate visa ahead of time may apply for one directly at the port of entry upon arrival.

Haitao also highlighted the new “Internet + Government” system implemented by the National Immigration Administration whereby foreign applicants can proceed with their personal immigration matters online, including the administration’s official website, without needing to visit a specific center, thus reducing the risk of crowds during the outbreak. 

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Have your visa or the visa of someone you know expired recently? 

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Editor: Crystal H

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