In order to fully implement the objectives of general secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the meeting of advancing the work on coordinating the prevention and control of COVID-19 and fostering economic and social development, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) immediately adopted ten measures based on its function of immigration management, to make unremitting efforts in epidemic response, effectively prevent the epidemic transmission through exit and entry channels, vigorously support the resumption of work and production of related industries and enterprises, actively facilitate the stability in employment, foreign investments and foreign trade, and provide guaranteed immigration service for the overall economic and social development.

 

It is reported that despite the growing positive momentum, the epidemic prevention and control is still at a critical stage that requires stringent efforts. NIA has introduced ten measures to improve regulation of immigration policies and resume exit and entry services in an orderly manner.

 

It requires resumption of exit and entry window service of public security authorities in a regional-specific and orderly manner, to ensure Chinese and foreign nationals' access to regular activities abroad, including economic, trade and scientific research activities. Meet the demands to differentiate epidemic response measures. A differentiated approach is adopted to resume exit and entry window service of public security authorities in low-risk areas with immediate effect, resume exit and entry service of public security authorities in medium-risk areas step by step, and apply emergency registration service in high-risk areas to process emergency applications in individual cases.

 

Encourage foreign nationals who engage in entrepreneurship and scientific research in China to continue their stay at ease, and facilitate formalities for their stay or residence. If visas or residence permits held by the above-mentioned persons expire during the epidemic, their duration of stay or residence in China will be automatically extended for extra two months without having to apply for extension. For foreign nationals to temporarily leave China to participate in business, trade, scientific research and academic exchange activities, application for re-entry visa may be processed before departure.

 

Active efforts are made to facilitate exit and entry service, assist with the resumption of work and production of enterprises, and promote foreign trade and economic activities. For Chinese or foreign nationals who need to enter and exit the country to resume work and production, priority will be given to the approval of their exit and entry documents. For those who need to enter and exit the country in a timely manner, the border inspection departments would provide fast customs clearance. It will also facilitate applications for port visas or temporary entry permits by foreign nationals who need to come to China in case of emergency such as investment, entrepreneurship, trade, etc.

 

Special cases will be handled with special measures, and priority will be consistently given to the import and export of epidemic prevention and control supplies and international cooperation. 24-hour expedited visa service will be provided for Chinese and foreign nationals engaged in epidemic response such as medical treatment, pharmaceutical research and development, and academic exchanges. Residence permits with certain duration will be issued for foreign nationals engaged in epidemic response in China. Real-time inspection and customs clearance will be continued and full-time exit and entry services will be provided for transportation vehicles for international import and export commodities and fresh agricultural products.

 

It requires efforts in safeguarding the national border, and strengthening epidemic response at exit and entry and clearance. Epidemic response regulations will be strictly implemented in all exit and entry windows, passages, and places that are open to the public, public health and safety management measures rigorously applied, and joint response mechanism continuously improved at all ports. It is important to take the initiative to cooperate with the inspection, quarantine, and observation of international travelers, actively take measures such as division of time and types of travelers to lower population density and prevent epidemic transmission. Efforts will be made to actively promote knowledge of epidemic response, and provide free-of-charge, necessary self-protection supplies for international travelers who are in need of or forget to wear masks during travel. In addition, "Internet plus government services" will be improved to reduce the gathering and movement of people and lower the risk of infection, which offers online application, mail-in application and real-time inquiry about exit and entry policy adjustments for Chinese and foreign nationals.

 

At present, NIA has made arrangements to the immigration management departments around the country, demanding strengthened leadership and strict organization to ensure full implementation and solid results. The ten measures, once implemented, would provide premium and more convenient exit and entry service for Chinese and foreign nationals, to further enhance their confidence for cross-border travels, expedite the resumption of work and production of enterprises, and promote the economic and social development.

 

Ten Measures Introduced by National Immigration Administration on Coordinating Epidemic Prevention and Control and Promoting Economic and Social Development

 

1. Resume exit and entry window services of public security authorities in an orderly manner

Adopt differentiated epidemic response measures, and resume exit and entry window services of public security authorities in a regional-specific and orderly manner. Resume exit and entry window services of public security authorities in low-risk areas with immediate effect, resume services in medium-risk areas in an orderly manner, and apply emergency registration service in high-risk areas to process emergency applications in individual cases. Resumed exit and entry service windows shall take the initiative to provide premium service in certificate and visa processing for Chinese nationals in their exit and entry affairs, and for foreign nationals in their investment, business and entrepreneurship in China.

 

2. Extend the period of stay or residence of eligible foreign nationals in China

During the epidemic, for foreign nationals who are engaged in entrepreneurship and scientific research in China, duration of their expiring stay or residence in China will be automatically extended for extra two months without having to apply for extension. The above-mentioned persons can legally stay in China or leave the country as usual within the extended period.

 

3. Process re-entry visa application for foreign nationals in advance

During the epidemic, advance processing of re-entry visa applications will be possible for foreign nationals in China who have used up their entries but plan to exit temporarily for business, trade, scientific research and academic exchange activities. Foreign nationals in China with an expiring residence permit may apply for entry with port visa entry by presenting their original residence permit.

 

4. Facilitate port visa application of foreign nationals for investment, entrepreneurship and trade in China

Foreign nationals requiring urgent entry for investment, entrepreneurship, trade and so on in China may apply for port visas with an invitation by related enterprises and organizations. For ports of entry without port visa issuance authority, the entry-exit frontier inspection authority shall issue temporary entry permits in this case, while the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs shall process his or her visa and residence permit application in a timely manner after their entry with temporary entry permits.

 

5. Actively facilitate the exit and entry of Chinese and foreign nationals engaged in epidemic response

Provide 24-hour expedited visa service for Chinese and foreign nationals engaged in epidemic response such as medical treatment, pharmaceutical research and development, and academic exchanges. Issue residence permits with proper durations based on their work conditions for foreign nationals engaged in epidemic response in China. Priority shall be given to processing of permanent residence applications of foreign nationals who have made important contributions to epidemic response.

 

6. Take the initiative to provide online application service for Chinese and foreign nationals

Chinese mainland residents may submit applications for exit and entry documents online, while foreign nationals may submit applications for visas, stay permits or permanent residence by email and post.

Passenger information of international flights may be declared online instead of submitting paper declaration.

 

7. Give priority to personnel in resumption of work and production for their certificate and visa application

For Chinese or foreign nationals who need exit and entry service to resume work and production, priority will be given to the approval of their exit and entry documents. For those who need to leave or enter the country in a timely manner, the entry-exit frontier inspection department shall provide fast customs clearance.

 

8. Give priority to import and export commodities and supplies for fast-track clearance

Continue to provide real-time inspection and customs clearance for transport vehicles for international import and export, anti-pandemic supplies and fresh agricultural products. For international ships transporting the above-mentioned supplies, conduct real-time operation upon entry, and process border inspection documents in advance of exit. At land ports of entry, dedicated channels shall be opened and customs clearance shall be prioritized for cross-border vehicles transporting the above-mentioned materials and commodities.

 

9. Proactively provide real-time inquiry about exit and entry policy adjustments for Chinese and foreign nationals

With the WeChat mini-program “Exit-entry Information Service”, provide reminder services of adjustments and changes of both domestic and foreign exit and entry administration policies. This service will promptly inform and remind the public of temporary entry management measures of relevant countries and regions and accessibility of Chinese border ports, so as to assist relevant enterprises and international travelers to schedule properly and avoid unnecessary losses.

 

10. Strengthen epidemic prevention and control at exit and entry service windows or customs clearance sites

Strictly follow epidemic response regulations in all exit and entry service windows, passages and places that are open to the public, and rigorously implement public health and safety management measures in public space and densely occupied spaces to prevent epidemic infection and transmission. Improve the joint response mechanism at ports, notify early warnings in a timely manner to the customs, inspection and quarantine departments, and take the initiative to cooperate with the inspection, quarantine and observation of international travelers. Intensify the promotion of epidemic response knowledge among inbound and outbound passengers, and provide free and essential personal-protection supplies for international travelers in need.

 

Notice: The English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version.