What visa policies remained effective during COVID-19? 1
Policy Brief
What visa policies remained effective during COVID-19?【1】
Early last year, with the global outbreak of the COVID-19, the Chinese government introduced a series of temporary policies to effectively prevent the risk of imported cases from abroad. Are these policies still in force? Which policies have been updated? We have made a summary of the related visa policies as follows for your reference.
去年初，隨著全球新冠疫情的爆發，中國政府有關部門陸續出臺了一系列的臨時政策，以有效防范境外疫情輸入性風險。目前，這些政策是否還有效？哪些政策又有了更新？以下我們就把這些外籍人簽證相關的政策給您做一個梳理。
Policy Summary from Feb.2020 to Oct.2020
2020
Feb.60-day automatic visa extension for foreigners
簽證到期可自動順延60天
On February 27, 2020, the National Immigration Administration issued ten measures to help prevent and control the epidemics, develop the economy and serve the People's wellbeing, proposing the policy that "Foreigners working in China for innovation and entrepreneurship or conducting scientific research can automatically extend their visas or residence permits for 60 days after their expiry, without submitting an application for extension". At the press conference of the Joint Control Mechanism of the State Council on 1 March, 2020, it was announced that the policy would be extended to "all foreigners in China".
2020年2月27日，國家移民管理局出臺十項措施助力疫情防控服務經濟民生，提出“在華從事創新創業工作、科研的外國人所持簽證或停居留許可到期后可自動順延60天，無需辦理延期手續”政策。3月1日，在國務院聯控機制發布會上，宣布此政策擴展到“在華所有外國人”。
CIIC interpretation：To date, this policy is still valid for foreigners who entered China before 28 March 2020 and having been in the country since then. Please check detail requirements with the local immigration authorities.
CIIC解讀: 截至目前，對于在2020年3月28日前進入中國且一直在中國境內的外國人，此項政策仍然有效。詳細情況請與當地出入境管理機構確認。
Mar. Temporary Suspension of Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Visas or Residence Permits
暫時停止持有效中國簽證、居留許可的外國人入境
On 26 March, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China National Immigration Administration Announcement on the Temporary Suspension of Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Visas or Residence Permits. Please click here to read the full announcement.
2020年3月26日中華人民共和國外交部、國家移民管理局發布公告, “中方決定自2020年3月28日0時起，暫時停止持有效中國簽證、居留許可的外國人入境”(點擊查看全文)
CIIC interpretation：Until now, the policy of “Suspension of Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Residence Permits” has been partly lifted, which stated in the announcement issued on 28 Sep., 2020. Other contents in the announcement remain valid.
CIIC解讀: 截至目前，公告中“暫時停止持有效居留許可的外國人入境”政策已有所放開，參考之后9月28日公告。公告中其他內容仍然有效。
Apr. Foreigners need to apply for an invitation letter in China before entering
外國人來華需要先在境內申請邀請函
After the announcement on 26 March, 2020, foreigners coming to China for work (including accompanying family members) or for necessary economic, trade, scientific and technological activities will need to apply for a new entry visa at the overseas Chinese embassy or consulate with an invitation letter issued by the government authority in China (usually the foreign affairs office of a province or city) （Click here for details）.
3月26日公告發布后，外國人來華工作（含隨行家屬）或從事必須的經貿、科技等活動，都需要憑中國境內政府機關（一般為各省市外辦）簽發的邀請函到境外的中國使、領館申請新的入境簽證。(點擊查看詳情)
CIIC interpretation：Up to now, foreigners coming to China for work (including accompanying family members) or business visits still need to apply for an invitation letter from the local authorities, except for those who can enter directly with three types of valid residence permits. For details of the process, please contact the local foreign affairs authorities.
CIIC解讀: 截至目前，除可直接持三類有效居留許可入境外，其他來華工作（含隨行家屬）或商務訪問的外國人仍需由邀請單位向當地主管部門申請邀請函。具體流程咨詢當地外事主管部門。
May. China and South Korea take the lead in establishing a " Fast Track "
中韓率先建立“快捷通道”
On 29 April, China and South Korea agreed on the establishment of measures to facilitate the urgently needed personnel exchange for important business, logistics, production and technical services (the "Fast Track"), which officially came into effect on 1 May, 2020.
Under this measure, South Korean citizens can apply for a work (Z) visa with a valid Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit (or Foreigner’s Work Permit, etc.) , and they don’t need an invitation letter from the foreign affairs authorities in China; Korean students can apply for a study visa (X visa) with the original Chinese Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202), the original admission letter from the school (if they are already enrolled in school, they can provide the original study residence permit and the original enrollment certificate from the school) to apply for a study visa (X visa).
4月29日，中韓雙方就建立重要商務、物流、生產和技術服務急需人員往來便利化措施（“快捷通道”）達成一致，5月1日正式實施。
根據此項措施，韓國公民可以憑有效的《外國人工作許可通知》（或《外國人工作許可證》等)申請工作（Z字）簽證，不需要境內外事主管部門的邀請函;韓國留學生可憑中國《外國留學人員來華簽證申請表》（JW201或JW202表）原件、學校的錄取通知書原件（如已在校就讀，可提供原學習類居留許可及學校出具的在讀證明原件），申請學習（X字）簽證。
CIIC interpretation：Although China had established the "fast track" with Japan, Singapore and other countries, however, there is only Korean citizens enjoy the above visa benefits.
CIIC解讀: 雖然之后，中國與日本、新加坡等國相繼開通了“快捷通道”，但截至目前，仍只有韓國公民享有以上簽證便利。
Aug. To facilitate the visa application for relevant Chinese valid residence permit holders
為持中國有效居留許可的相關外國人提供簽證便利
In the beginning of last August, with the epidemic became controllable in more and more countries, the demand for personnel exchange was increased. Thus, China has gradually and orderly eased the visa polices for those personnel coming into China for the resumption of work and production, and other necessary activities. Since August 10, the Chinese embassies and consulates in France, Denmark, Spain and other foreign countries have issued the Notice on Visa Facilitation for Foreign Nationals with Valid Chinese Residence Permits: related valid residence permits (work, private affairs, reunion residence permits) holders in some relevant countries can apply for a Chinese visa for free in Chinese embassy or consulate in those countries. Relevant personnel shall comply with the regulations of the local government of China on epidemic prevention and control after entering. The policy is applicable in following countries: Albania, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Belgium, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, the Netherlands, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, United Kingdom.
Subsequently, 10 Chinese embassies in Asia: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, Brunei have issued corresponding Notices.
8月初，隨著多國疫情得到控制，人員交往需求增加。中方逐步有序放開復工復產和其他各類必要來華人員的簽證。自8月10日開始，中國駐法國、丹麥、駐西班牙等駐外使領館相繼發布《關于為持中方有效居留許可的外國人提供簽證便利的通知》：有關歐洲國家持中方相關有效居留許可（工作類、私人事務類、團聚類居留許可）人員，可向中國駐這些國家任何使領館免費申辦來華簽證。相關人員入境后須遵守中國地方政府防疫管理規定。此政策適用以下歐洲36個國家：阿爾巴尼亞、愛爾蘭、愛沙尼亞、奧地利、保加利亞、北馬其頓、比利時、冰島、波黑、波蘭、丹麥、德國、法國、芬蘭、荷蘭、黑山、捷克、克羅地亞、拉脫維亞、立陶宛、盧森堡、羅馬尼亞、馬耳他、挪威、葡萄牙、瑞典、瑞士、塞爾維亞、塞浦路斯、斯洛伐克、斯洛文尼亞、西班牙、希臘、匈牙利、意大利、英國，隨后，中國駐日本、韓國、泰國、新加坡、馬來西亞、印度尼西亞、越南、老撾、斯里蘭卡、文萊等10個駐亞洲使館也陸續發布相應的《通知》。
CIIC interpretation：At present, the visa facilities of the above embassies are still valid, meanwhile, the Chinese embassies have been providing visa facilities for foreigners with urgent humanitarian needs. However, few Chinese embassies abroad currently suspend the visa application due to the spread epidemic, please confirm with the local Chinese Embassy for specific conditions of visa processing.
CIIC解讀: 目前，以上使館的簽證便利仍然有效，同時中國使館也一直為出于緊急人道主義需要的外國人提供簽證便利。個別中國駐外使館因為境外疫情防控原因，目前暫緩辦理簽證，具體辦理條件請及時與當地中國使館進行確認。
Sept. Foreigners with three types of valid residence permits were allowed to enter China
允許持三類有效居留許可外國人入境
On the premise of ensuring the safety under epidemic prevention, China will gradually and orderly resume personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries. On 23 September, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the National Immigration Administration jointly issued a document to adjust some of the measures published on 26 March: from 0:00 on 28 September, 2020, foreigners with valid Chinese residence permits for work, private matters and family reunion will be allowed to enter the country without applying a new visa. If the above-mentioned three types of residence permits held by foreigners expire after 0:00 on March 28, 2020, the holder may apply for a corresponding entry visa to the local Chinese embassy or consulate with the expired residence permits and related materials provided that the reasons for coming to China remain unchanged. The above-mentioned personnel shall strictly abide by the Chinese regulations on epidemic prevention and control. Other measures announced on 26 March would continue to be implemented.
中方在將在確保防疫安全前提下，逐步有序恢復中外人員往來。2020年9月23日，中華人民共和國外交部和國家移民管理局聯合發文對3月26日《公告》部分措施進行調整：自2020年9月28日0時起，允許持有效中國工作類、私人事務類和團聚類居留許可的外國人入境，相關人員無需重新申辦簽證。如外國人持有的上述三類居留許可于2020年3月28日0時后過期，持有人在來華事由不變的情況下，可憑過期居留許可和有關材料向中國駐外使領館申辦相應簽證入境。上述人員需嚴格遵守中方防疫管理規定。3月26日公告其他措施繼續實施。
CIIC interpretation：So far, this policy is still in effect. However, some of these countries have been suspended from entering the country for reasons of prevention and control of overseas epidemic.
CIIC解讀: 截至目前，這項政策仍然有效。但其中個別國家因境外疫情防控原因，暫緩入境。