Guangdong Releases 9 Immigration Policies Amid COVID-19

According to the National Immigration Administration’s work arrangement to coordinate the overall plans for the epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, to support relevant industries and companies to resume work and production, from Guangdong Province’s situation, the following measures will be conducted during the 2019-nCov epidemic prevention and control period.

1. Orderly resume the exit-entry window service. 

Implementing the requirements of differentiated prevention and control strategies, public security exit and entry window services will be resumed orderly according area classification. From now on, low-risk areas will resume all public security exit and entry window services; medium-risk areas will gradually resume public security exit-entry window services according to situation development; high-risk areas will open only emergency appointment services to handle urgently needed case applications. The resumed public security exit-entry window will provide high-quality services for Chinese citizens and foreigners to apply for documents or visas to leave or enter China, and to invest, trade and start businesses in China.

II. Extend the period of stay for part foreigners in China. 

During the epidemic prevention and control period, if the stay period of visas and residence permits of foreigners, who continue their innovation, enterprise or research work in China, expires, the stay period will be automatically extended for 60 days from the original expiry date without application for extension. The above-mentioned foreigners can stay in China or leave the country with their original visas, no need for extension application.

III. Issue re-entry visas for foreigners in China in advance. 

During the epidemic prevention and control period, if the number of entry listed in the visa held by foreigners in China is used up, and the visa-holder need to leave China to participate business trade, scientific research and academic activities for a short time and then return China, the visa holder can apply for a re-entry visa to the exit and entry authorities before departure.

IV. Provide port visa processing service for foreigners who come to China to work, study, invest, start business and trade. 

Foreigners whose residence certificates expires during the period of epidemic prevention and control may apply for port visas to enter China with their original residence certificates. Foreigners for urgent reasons such as investment, business, commerce and so on and do not get a visa in advance, may apply for a port visa with the invitation letter of relevant enterprises or institutions. After entry, the exit and entry administration authorities of Public Security shall timely handle visas, stay permits and residence permits for foreigners in accordance with law.

V. Provide exit/entry convenience actively for Chinese and foreign personnel involved in the prevention and control of the epidemic. 

24-hour urgent certification service will be provided for Chinese and foreign personnel involved in epidemic prevention work, such as medical aid, drug research and development, material supply and academic exchange. Foreigners who come to China to participate in epidemic prevention work may apply residence permits of the corresponding duration according to their work needs. Priority shall be given if they apply for permanent residence in China due to their important contributions to epidemic prevention.

VI. Provide convenience for Chinese and foreign personnel to apply for entry and exit documents online. 

Mainland residents can submit applications for entry and exit documents online, while foreigners can submit applications for visas, stay permits and residence permits by email or post.

VII. Give priority to the work resumption personnel when applying for travel document and endorsement.  

Priority will be given to Chinese and foreign personnel who need to exit and enter the country for work resumption.

VIII. Provide query service to Chinese and foreign personnel on adjustment of entry and exit administration policies. 

The entry-exit personnel will receive information on adjustment and change of domestic and foreign entry and exit management policies during the period of epidemic prevention and control. They will be informed and reminded promptly the temporary entry restrictions of relevant countries and regions and the opening and passing conditions of China's ports, so as to facilitate the relevant enterprises and outbound personnel to arrange their itinerary reasonably.

IX. Strengthen the epidemic prevention and control procedures at entry and exit windows. 

Strictly implement the provisions on epidemic prevention and control in all open entry-exit windows, channels and places, implement seriously the public health and safety management measures in public places and densely populated places, and strictly prevent the spread of epidemic infection.

Although cases of the novel coronavirus have been showing signs of improvement across the region in recent days, we still need to take precautionary measures to prevent new ones from erupting. These new policies aim to support the health and safety of all immigration staff and applicants visiting their premises, which we hope will no longer be needed once the epidemic has been officially controlled for good. 

Source: National Immigration Administration

Editor: Crystal H

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