It is believed that almost all overseas Chinese compatriots in the world, including Australian Chinese, have a voice: it is not easy to go back to China!
At present, citizens of only 14 countries in the world can enter mainland China without visa on the basis of ordinary passports, and most of them are American and Central European countries.
(visa-free access to China, photo source: Wiki)
Countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, where most Chinese immigrants are located, need to apply for family visit visas or business visas if they want to travel to and from China many times.
Although the state has officially issued a Q-visa since 2012, it is convenient for overseas Chinese to return to China to "reunite with their families, foster children and visit relatives who live permanently in China".
However, the current Q-visa maximum duration of only two years multiple trips.
Although the new Law of the people`s Republic of China on the Administration of outbound entry and exit did mention that the maximum validity period of the Q-type visa could be up to five years, relevant sources of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "five-year visas need to be assessed on the basis of specific circumstances and requirements. Not everyone will approve. "
Since 2014, the "family visit visa" has been "fired" by the overseas Chinese media almost once a year.
But countless times of expectations and disappointment, just like the "wolf" story, many overseas Chinese compatriots have no longer dared to expect!
However, this time, the Ministry of Public Security is one-shot, officially confirmed: 5 years to visit the family visit visa will be officially issued!
The Ministry of Public Security implements the New Policy for the convenience of the people
Yesterday, China`s Ministry of Public Security held a press conference to announce that eight immigration facilitation measures will be implemented, including the official opening of multiple family visit visas to overseas Chinese for five years and other private purposes.
At the press conference, China`s Ministry of Public Security also set the time for the implementation of the measure: only a week later, on February 1, the official implementation of the measure!
(photo source: people`s website)
The original words of the Ministry of Public Security are as follows:
For foreign Chinese who come to visit their relatives, negotiate business, carry out scientific, educational, cultural, and health exchange activities and handle private affairs, public security organs may issue valid visas for multiple entry within 5 years in accordance with the regulations.
Expatriate Chinese who work, study, visit relatives and engage in private affairs for long periods of time may issue residence permits for a period of up to 5 years.
In other words, the new five-year round-trip facilitation measures have not only relaxed the application restrictions, but also allowed overseas Chinese to apply for this visa, not only for family visits, but also for overseas Chinese who work, study and negotiate business;
In addition, the duration of residence permits can be extended from three to five years, which greatly facilitates the return of many overseas Chinese to visit their relatives, take care of their elderly parents, or engage in Chinese and foreign trade activities.
Now, by lowering the threshold for Q-type visas, simplifying the process and expanding the scope of applications for permission, it is also a good signal for many overseas Chinese: I believe that in the future, with more Chinese entering and leaving the country, China will also implement more similar policies for the benefit of the people. Encourage the Chinese to "often go home to see"!
Detailed practical information: in Australia, how should I apply for a Q visa?
The current Q visa is divided into two types: Q1 visa and Q2 visa
The Q1 visa applies to the following three groups:
- Family members of Chinese citizens who apply for residence in China on account of family reunification;
- Family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China;
- Persons who apply for entry for residence for reasons such as foster care.
Family members include spouses, parents, children`s spouses, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, grandchild children and spouses` parents.
Q2 visas are issued to relatives of Chinese citizens residing in China for short-term (not more than 180 days) visits and to foreigners with permanent residency status in China.
Application material preparation:
- Valid for more than 6 months, have at least 1 blank visa page passport original and passport photo information page copy 1;
- One true, complete and signed Application form for Visa of the people`s Republic of China (V.2013). It is recommended to use free Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill in and print;
- Provide 1 recent, front, color photo and paste on the form. Visa application photos must meet the requirements, please click here for details;
- (a) an applicant who holds a passport issued after 1 January 2015 and who has attained the age of 16 years must also submit the original of the previous passport, regardless of his nationality;
- To apply for a Chinese visa in Australia, non-Australian nationals are required to submit original and photocopies of valid Australian visa and entry records. Visa-free or ETA, e-visa holders are required to provide original and photocopies of entry records. If necessary, the applicant is required to issue an international travel record (International Movement Record) certificate to the Australian Immigration Service as requested by the visa officer;
- For those who have Chinese nationality and then join a foreign nationality, if they apply for a Chinese visa for the first time, they must provide a copy of the original Chinese passport and the passport photo information page; If you have been granted a Chinese visa and hold a new foreign passport to apply for a visa, you are required to provide the photo information page of the original foreign passport and a copy of the Chinese visa you have obtained; If the name recorded in the new passport is inconsistent with the original passport, proof of the change of name issued by the official shall be provided.
In the case of applications for a Q1 visa for family reunification purposes, in addition to the above-mentioned materials, the following should be provided:
- An invitation letter from a Chinese citizen residing in the territory of China or an alien with permanent residence status in China (reference pattern), which shall contain the following:
- Personal information of the invited person: name, gender, date of birth, etc.
- The invited person visits the information: the reason for coming to China, the intended arrival date, the intended residence place, the plan residence term, and the invitee relations, the expense source and so on;
- Invitee information: invitee name, contact phone number, address, invitation signature, etc.
- A copy of the inviting person`s Chinese identity card or a foreign passport and a permanent residence permit;
Proof of family membership (spouse, parent, spouse, sibling, grandparents, grandparent, grandchild, grandchild and spouse`s parents) between the applicant and the invitee (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, Original and photocopy of certificate of kinship or notarization of kinship issued by police station.
Applications for a Q2 visa shall, in addition to the above-mentioned materials, provide a copy of the identity card of a Chinese citizen residing in China or a copy of a permanent residence permit of a foreign citizen with permanent residence status in China, as well as an invitation letter issued by him or her.
The invitation shall contain the following:
- Personal information of the invited person: name, gender, date of birth, etc.
- The invited person visits the information: the reason for coming to China, the date of departure, the place of visit, the relationship with the invitee, the source of expenses, etc.;
- Invitee information: name, contact number, address, invitation signature, etc.
If the applicant has a special request, the embassy or consulate will specially notify the preparation of the special material.
Application process:
- Foreigners (including Australian citizens) holding ordinary passports are required to submit visa applications to China Visa Application Service centres in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, either personally or by proxy or by mail. For more specific requirements, please refer to the website of China Visa Application Service Center;
- The Embassy in Australia, the Consulate-General shall no longer directly accept visa applications (including postal applications) from holders of ordinary foreign passports;
- If the Embassy, Consulate General requests an interview, the China Visa Application Service Center will inform the applicant separately.
Under normal circumstances, 4 working days can be signed.
