COVID-19: Visa applications open for foreign nationals from certain countries

IMPACT – HIGH

China recently made it possible for foreign nationals from a number of countries who have certain permits to apply for visas.

Key points:

• Foreign nationals who have valid residence permits, work permits or family reunion/personal matters permits and are from the following countries are now allowed to apply for visas at any Chinese Embassy or consulate in their respective countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
• The Chinese Embassy and consulates in South Korea began issuing visas to South Korean citizens to allow them to work or study in China the first week of August.

Analysis & Comments: The opening of visa applications to foreign nationals from over thirty countries with certain permits is good news for employers wishing to send their employees to China. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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