Immigration News - China Lunar New Year holiday to delay processing Share this article LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) February 10, 2015 IMPACT – MEDIUM What is the change? China will welcome the Year of the Goat and observe a national holiday Feb. 18-24. What does the change mean? Applicants should expect delays during and immediately following the holiday closures. Implementation timeframe: Feb. 18-24. Visas/permits affected: All visas and permits, as well as other services at immigration, labor and government ministries. Who is affected: Employers and foreign applicants. Impact on processing times: Processing will be interrupted during the week-long closures. Background: The first day of the Chinese lunar year is Feb. 19. China observes a full week of festivities, beginning new year’s eve. Taiwan will close for six days, Feb. 18 -23, and other Asian countries will observe shorter public holiday periods on Feb. 19-20. BAL Analysis: Employers should anticipate office closures and are encouraged to file time-sensitive applications before the holiday break to avoid delays. This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in China. For additional information, please contact china@bal.com. Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.