Seminar held to address visa issues

Writer: Han Ximin  |  Editor: Holly Wang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2020-05-25

Expats attend at a seminar at the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats on Friday. Han Ximin

A seminar for expats on visa issues, especially during the COVID-19 epidemic, was held both online and on site at the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (MSCE), Nanshan District, on Friday.

The session was designed to help foreign residents, foreign-related enterprises and international schools to receive clear and adequate policy information about visa applications amid the outbreak.

Two officers from the Entry-Exit Department of Shenzhen police gave answers to visa-related questions forwarded online or offered in person during the two-hour seminar, jointly organized by Shekou MSCE and the Shenzhen Office of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

“It has been almost two months since March 28 when China temporarily suspended entry for foreigners. Foreigners both in China and those that will come to China want to know about the latest entry-exit policy,” said Tian Huawei, deputy director of the entry and exit administration section of the Nanshan District Public Security Bureau.

The questions raised on site were mainly about the quarantine policy for foreigners upon entry, the conditions for applying for the humanitarian visa, the fast track between China and foreign countries and document requirements for foreign experts who want to come back to work in China .

During the COVID-19 period, many foreigners face the issues of visa renewal and are keen to know about the automatic extensions, said an officer surnamed Xiao with the Entry and Exit Administrative Department of the Shenzhen police.

Xiao also highlighted some tips and useful information helping foreigners who want to return to China to contact Chinese embassies and consulates for the latest visa rules and applications.

The online seminar attracted more than 200 viewers from foreign countries. A viewer in Germany said the online information about visa applications during the COVID-19 epidemic is limited. The Q&A session is very helpful for them to receive the latest information.

Q&A session

Question 1:

If the expats are now abroad and their residence permits expire before the borders reopen, can they apply for any type of visa to return to China and reapply for the residence permit or they have to start with the Z visa again?

Answer: Foreigners who could not enter the Chinese mainland within the validity period of their residence permits due to the epidemic could enter with visas of type Z, L, M, F, Q and S when the epidemic is over. They shall submit applications for work permit extension to the foreign experts affairs authorities before applying to the Entry and Exit Administrative Department of the Shenzhen police for the extension of residence permits.

Question 2:

Which department will be responsible for announcing new regulations and how will it be disseminated so that SMEs can find this information easily?

Answer: New regulations and policies will be published on official WeChat accounts and websites of government departments. You can follow WeChat accounts, “国家移民管理局” (National Immigration Administration) and “ShenzhenForeignAffairs深圳外事,” and visit the website “Shenzhen Government Online” to get information on the latest policies and regulations.

Question 3:

Will individuals still have to quarantine when they come back?

Answer: For now, any individual, Chinese citizen or foreign citizen, needs to quarantine when they come back to China. And please check the epidemic prevention and control measures of your destination city in China before your flight. For example, if your destination is Beijing, your entry port will be arranged in other cities and after your quarantine in the entry city, you can enter Beijing.

Question 4:

What should I do if my visa is going to expire?

Answer: First, your current stay can automatically be extended for 60 days during the epidemic, but the 60-day free automatic extension can only be used once. If this 60-day extension is going to expire, then you need to go to the Entry and Exit Administrative Department of the Shenzhen police to apply for a stay permit.

Question 5: 

How do individuals contact their closest Chinese embassy or consulate to apply for a visa?

Answer: You can visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, which has a list of all Chinese embassies and consulates around the world. You can search on the map and find the nearest one to contact.