China begins offering 10-year multiple-entry visas to Israeli nationals

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? China has begun issuing 10-year, multiple-entry visas to Israeli nationals traveling to China for business, tourism or to visit family.

What does the change mean? Israeli nationals may now apply for the visas. The maximum allowable duration of stay will depend on the type of visa the applicant obtains. China and Israel agreed to provide 10-year visas to travelers from each other’s countries earlier this year, and Israel recently began issuing 10-year visas to Chinese travelers as well.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: L, M, Q2 and S2 visas.
• Who is affected: Israeli nationals applying for any of the visas listed above.  
• Business impact: The longer-validity visas will ease business, tourist and other travel between Israel and China.

Background: China and Israel signed the agreement providing for the longer-validity visas in March. Document requirements for the visas listed above have not changed with the longer validity. The visas are valid for up to 10 years, but not longer than the visa holder’s passport. The visas cannot be transferred to new passports.

BAL Analysis: The 10-year, multiple-entry visas will ease travel for Israeli nationals making frequent business trips to China, as they will be able to avoid having to reapply for visas upon each entry. The allowable duration of stay will vary depending on the type of visa the applicant obtains, with the Chinese Embassy in Israel reserving the right to make final interpretations of the agreement.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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