New China Visa and Residency Requirements
New requirements for complying with China’s visa process have made it particularly hard for foreign businesses and executives trying to enter and work in the country. For some it means cancelling business trips, but for others it can mean being grounded in another country for weeks longer than they intended.
The new rules and regulations clarify China’s Entry and Exit Control Law. This is a new immigration revamp that was passed by the State back in June 2012. Under the new regulations, there are nine visa categories that cover different types of business, educational, or recreational travel to China. Among other changes, the regulations increase the processing time and paperwork requirements for residence permits and double most penalties for violations.
The new rules concerning residence permits are the ones that have had the greatest effect. Previously, applicants for the permits had to surrender their passport for five days, but the new rule requires fifteen days to process the applications, causing major problems for business professionals that need to leave the country. The fallback was so severe, that the immigration administration had to shut down for some time before changing the requirement to seven business days. Unfortunately, this seven day rule doesn’t apply to major cities like Beijing. In addition, local governments have begun requiring additional paperwork proving that the applicant had a clean criminal record. Anyone with documentation from outside of the country now has to have it notarized.
Chinese immigration authorities claim that the goal is to make it easier and to improve service for foreigners. Unfortunately, this has simply created more headaches for a bureaucratic system that is already flawed and sluggish. On a positive note, it has become much harder for criminals and other shady individuals to bend the rules and take advantage of holes in China’s immigration policy.
If any you have any questions, the team here at Buda Law Group will gladly answer them. Please reach out to us to find out more or get a competitive quote on our legal immigration services.
Thank You,
John B. Buda, Esq.
www.budalawgroup.net office: 310-452-1872 john.buda@budalawgroup.net 3301 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 205 Santa Monica, CA 90405