Issued by National Immigration Adminstration of China

In order to efficiently coordinate the pandemic prevention and control with economic and social development, to actively adapt to the new situation and requirements in the new phase of COVID-19 prevention and control, to safeguard people’s lives and health, and to protect and promote the personnel exchange and communication between China and the rest of the world, National Immigration Administration of China will optimize policies and measures of immigration administration starting from January 8, 2023. Hereby it is announced as follows.

First, resume in an orderly manner the acceptance and examination of the Chinese citizens’ application for ordinary passports for the purposes of tourism and friends-visiting abroad; resume the processing of endorsements for Chinese mainland residents to visit Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for tourism and business purposes.

Second, resume the acceptance and examination of foreigners' applications for the extension, renewal and re-issuance of ordinary visa, the issuance, renewal and re-issuance of stay permit, and the issuance, extension, renewal and re-issuance of residence permit. In case of urgent needs, expedited procedures may be applied for.

Third, resume the issuance of port visa, the implementation of the 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, and the issuance of temporary entry permit in accordance with the law.

Fourth, resume the issuance of exit-&-entry permit of the People's Republic of China, and the issuance of exit-&-entry permit for border control area.

Fifth, gradually resume the passenger clearance of land ports/channels; resume in an orderly manner the exit and entry of passengers and border residents through land ports and corridors for border residents. The corridors for border residents shall be resumed in accordance with relevant regulations and immigration inspection shall be implemented according to law.

Sixth, resume the fast channels in ports adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. Holders of the Hong Kong and Macao Travel Permit for Mainland Resident, the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident, and etc. may go through the fast channels for immigration inspection.

Seventh, gradually resume the passenger clearance of water ports; allow the liner passengers to exit and entry through water ports that meet relevant requirements; resume at selected ports the exit and entry of international cruise passengers; issue the temporary entry permit according to law for foreign crew members who meet entry requirements; cancel the previous regulation of “restricting personnel from embarking on vessels engaged in international voyages, restricting crew members of these vessels from disembarking, and restricting these vessels from berthing alongside other vessels”.

Eighth, continue the implementation of the facilitation measures including “green passages” at air ports for key cargo flights, “fast channels” at land ports and immigration inspection stations for vehicles carrying key supplies, online self-application of “immigration inspection boarding code” used at water ports, and etc..

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