China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on wednesday that it would allow foreigners with three types of valid residence permits to enter the country, raising hopes that many overseas chinese who are currently unable to enter china will be able to return. But carefully consider China's latest regulations and find that it applies only to some people.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out in the latest announcement: according to the current situation of the new crown pneumonia epidemic situation and prevention and control needs, we are now adjusting some measures of the announcement on the temporary suspension of the entry of foreigners with valid Chinese visas and residence permits issued Ministry of Foreign Affairs 、 the State Administration of Immigration on March 26,2020.
The specific adjustment is as follows: from September 28,2020,0:00, allowing foreigners with valid Chinese work, private affairs and reunion residence permits to enter the country, the relevant personnel do not need to re-apply for a visa. If the above three types of residence permits held by foreigners expire after 0:00 on March 28,2020, the holder may apply for a corresponding visa to the Chinese embassies and consulates abroad with the expired residence permit and related materials if the reasons for coming to China remain unchanged. The above-mentioned personnel shall strictly abide by the Chinese regulations on epidemic prevention.
As soon as the news came out, China's official Global Times social app public name is entitled "Emergence: a major adjustment in the entry policy of foreigners, Fired up many overseas Chinese with Chinese visas, Including the hope that Chinese from all over the world can finally return to visit relatives. Given the rapid global spread of new crown pneumonia, China authorities decided to start at 0:00 on March 28,2020, Temporary suspension of foreigners with current valid visa and residence permit to enter China. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at the time ," This is China's response to the current epidemic, Referring to the multinational approach, Temporary measures taken as a last resort ".
"Residence permit" is not a "visa"
journalist asked the visa center of the chinese consulate in dusseldorf in his personal capacity to learn that the latest regulations Ministry of Foreign Affairs china apply only to some overseas chinese. The staff of the Visa Centre stressed that the new regulations were aimed at the entry of foreigners holding a "residence permit ", which was not a" visa "and that the holder, although an alien, lived in China for many years. And the latest rules are only for such people, such as foreigners who hold Chinese Q1 family reunification visas. However, foreigners with multi-year round-trip family visit or family reunion visas are still unable to enter China.
On the whole, Chinese officials are gradually easing restrictions on foreigners' entry as the new crown is effectively controlled in China. As a matter of fact, at the beginning of August, the Chinese embassy in Germany announced that the relevant European countries (after the list is shown) who hold the relevant valid residence permit (work, private affairs, reunion residence permit) in China can apply for a visa to China free of charge to embassies and consulates. Essentially, it is consistent with the latest policy adjustments announced by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Several Ways to Enter China
How can foreigners now enter China? According to the Dusseldorf Visa Center, foreigners can apply for entry permits including Q1 family reunification visas, after entering China can be replaced by long-term residence permits in the local household registration department. There are also certain levels of Chinese government institutions, such as foreign affairs bureau issued PU and TE invitation holders can apply for business and work visas to enter China. Foreigners who can prove special reasons, such as family critical illness, can also apply for a return visa. In addition, there are no other possibilities for foreigners holding long-term Chinese travel, business or family visit visas.
