China’s Ministry of Public Security has announced 12 measures to facilitate immigration and entry-exit applications. The measures, effective August 1, 2023, include the following:
- China will ease the permanent residence application for more high-level foreign talents, including foreigners with doctoral degrees, and those who have made significant contributions to the country. Foreign spouses and children of qualified applicants can join the permanent residence application simultaneously.
- Long-term visas and residence permits, valid for two to five years, will be issued to foreign talents invited for technical cooperation, economic and trade activities or work by China’s prestigious universities, science research institutes and well-known enterprises, as well as to high-level foreign talent teams and their auxiliary personnel.
- Foreign graduates from China’s key colleges and universities or renowned foreign universities, who started businesses in China or were invited to undertake internships in China, will enjoy policy support and convenience in applying for visas and residence permits.
- Efforts are to be made to explore the establishment of immigration service centres in areas where a large population of foreigners live, and services will be provided for resident foreigners to facilitate their work, study and life, such as consultation concerning policies, residence and travel, legal assistance, as well as language and culture services.
Further, China will facilitate the issuance of port visas and multiple renewals for foreign businesspeople:
- Foreign nationals coming to China for business negotiations, trade exchanges, installation and maintenance, participation in exhibitions, investment, and entrepreneurship, and who have no time to apply for visas to China outside the country, can apply for port visas to enter the country with the invitation letter and certification materials of the enterprise.
- Those who need to leave and return to China multiple times for business reasons can apply for a multiple entry business visa within three years after arriving in China.
- Residence permit applicants in China will be permitted to keep their original passport after verification and during application processing, rather than submitting them for the entire period of processing, as currently.
Erickson Insights
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.