Foreign nationals holding 3 categories of valid Chinese residence permits (work, personal matters, and reunion) are allowed to enter China with no need to apply for new visas starting on 0 am., 28 September 2020, according to an announcement jointly released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and National Immigration Administration on 23rd September, 2020.

Q1:What’s a Chinese Visa?

A1: A Chinese visa is a permit issued by visa authorities of the People’s Republic of China in accordance with its laws and regulations to a foreign citizen for entry into, exit from or transit through Chinese territory. 

If you successfully got a Chinese visa, you can see there is a ‘VISA’ logo in the upper left corner of the passport page where the visa is placed.

Q2: What’s a Residence Permit?

A2: A residence permit is a permit issued by local exit and entry bureaus to foreigners who have already entered China with a visa.

The title ‘Foreigner’s Residence Permit’ is right above the page where the permit is pasted in your passport, and the ‘Purpose for Residence’ signifies the type of your permit. There are five types of residence permit in China, namely, J1, Q1, S1, X1, and Z.

The permits issued before 1st June, 2019 are still valid with the issuing authority’s name now changed to the National Immigration Administration of the P. R. C.

Q3: What are those 3 categories?

A3: A holder of category Z are foreigners who work in China, while a holder of category S1 is a foreigner who comes to China to visit other foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who come to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. The holders of category Q1 are foreigners who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and come to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to visit China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

If you’re a holder of category Q1 (reunion), S1 (personal matters), or Z (work), you can come to China starting from 28th September, 2020.

If the above three categories of residence permits held by those foreign nationals expired on or after, 28 March 2020, the holders may apply for relevant visas by presenting the expired residence permits and relevant materials to the Chinese embassies or consulates on the condition that the purpose of the holder’s visit to China remains unchanged.

The above-mentioned personnel shall strictly abide by the Chinese regulations on epidemic prevention and control.

Q4: Which applicants still need to apply for PU invitation letter to enter China?

A4:

Type 1: Foreigners who have previously held three types of residence permits (work, personal affairs, reunion), but expired on or before March 28, 2020.

Type 2: Foreigners who have NOT previously held the above three types of residence permits.

Q5: What are the materials needed for applying for the new visa?

A5: Requirements may vary depending on the location, please check with the local Chinese embassy.

Source | National Immigration Administration, 义乌外事