CHINA MADE MORE CHANGES IN IMMIGRATION PROCESSES AND IMMIGRATION TO EARLIER INTRODUCED NEW REGULATIONS ON 1ST SEPTEMBER 2013 September 5, 2013 Since the regulations implementing the new Exit and Entry Administrative Law took effect on September 1, more changes to immigration processes and requirements have been implemented in various cities across China. The changes reported below are effective immediately. Reduced Processing Time for Residence Permits in Shanghai The processing of Shanghai residence permits – both initial filings and renewals – now takes seven business days, down from 15. In other cities, including Beijing and Guangzhou, the processing time for these applications remains at 15 business days. It is not yet known whether other cities will similarly shorten their processing times. Processing times for business (F) and tourist (L) visa extensions and residence permit cancellations remain at seven business days across the country. New Requirements for Dependents In Beijing, Wuhan and Shenzhen, family members applying for dependent residence permits are now required to submit legalized birth and marriage certificates. In Shanghai, legalized vital records are not required for family members entering on dependent status (the Q1, Q2, S1 or S2 visa). However, those entering on tourist or other types of visas will need to present birth and marriage certificates legalized by the Chinese consulate in their home country or by their home country’s consular post in China. More Cities Require Police Clearances In Hangzhou and Wuhan, applicants for work permits and foreign expert licenses are now required to submit a non-criminal record certificate issued by the relevant authority in their country of origin. Beijing was the first major city to require police clearances for work authorization applications, and more cities are expected to follow suit. Additional lead time will be required for filings in Hangzhou and Wuhan, especially in countries where authorities take several months to issue police clearances. Applicants are advised to allow sufficient time to obtain this additional document. Stricter Enforcement of Mandatory Time Frames for In-Country Processes The Chinese government is more strictly enforcing the requirement for foreign nationals to register with their local police station within 24 hours of arriving in China. Individuals staying in hotels and other public accommodations can continue to complete the registration process there. The government is also strictly enforcing the ten-day period for amending work and residence permits to reflect changes to the sponsoring entity, the applicant’s passport information and address, and other details. The requirement to file residence permit renewals at least 30 days before the permit’s expiration is also being strictly enforced, particularly in Beijing and Shenzhen. Companies and their foreign employees who fail to observe these regulatory periods may be subject to fines and other penalties. New Consular Application Form Chinese consular posts have released a new visa application form in line with the new regulations. The standardized form (in English and Chinese, similar to the previous version) has been required since September 1 and can be downloaded from most Chinese consular websites.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 01:54:20 +0000