How Can Foreign Employees Stuck Abroad Return to Guangzhou?

---

Affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, many foreign teachers in international schools have been unable to return to work on time for their classes, stranded overseas with no clear knowledge of when they would be allowed back into the country.

This problem has attracted of government delegates in places like Guangzhou, which has held a conference to announce that while summer vacation has already started for foreign nationals’ children, three schools have opened summer classes.

In total, more than 200 foreign teachers employed at the 13 schools dedicated to teaching young foreign children in Guangzhou remain stuck overseas.

Gu Zhongpeng, Deputy Director General of the Guangzhou Education Bureau, explained that the city had paid a great deal of attention to the health and safety of all citizens, including foreign teachers, foreign students, and Chinese students enrolled with other foreign children.

While some teachers have already resigned, Gu Zhongpeng assured that those who wish to return to Guangzhou will be supported throughout their visa application process to ensure a smooth return back to work/school for the Fall 2020 semester.

Yang Chen, Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, also present during the conference, stated that their “fast channel” policy enabled enterprises to bring their foreign staff back into the country with charter flights and shortened quarantine time to facilitate a smoother resumption of operations and production.

This policy has been put in place in relation with other countries, including South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Britain, France, Switzerland, and Italy, for important matters such as trade, logistics, and high-tech projects, provided that staff entering China were able to present a valid invitation letter and a visa specific to this “fast channel” policy.

The city of Guangzhou has worked throughout the pandemic to adjust its Entry-Exit terms, making it more convenient for foreign applicants to apply for and receive their visa, which could be done via an online visa application platform.

Corporations and education institutions can apply for trade, visit, study, and work visas, as well as extensions of residence permits for their staff’s and students’ family members. Guangzhou has also shortened the list of documents required to apply for visa.

Source: Sina

Editor: Crystal H

Editor's Pick