IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? China’s National Immigration Administration is set to implement a number of measures to improve entry and exit services for foreigners and citizens of the People’s Republic of China.

What does the change mean? The 22 new measures are set to be implemented in phases by the first quarter of 2019. The first phase, implemented in September, introduced new processes by which foreigners in certain situations may receive instant acceptance and approval of applications. In addition, the first phase introduced changes to ease travel and immigration processes for PRC citizens, most notably through removing the requirement to renew immigration documents (i.e., passports, exit-entry permits for Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan) in the registered household district, or hukou.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing. The first phase of changes included five new measures implemented in September. The additional measures are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2019.
  • Visas/permits affected: Passports and other immigration documents for PRC citizens and some Chinese visas for foreign nationals.
  • Who is affected: PRC citizens and foreign nationals in the situations described below.
  • Impact on processing times: The measures will provide faster processing times for foreign nationals in the urgent situations described below as well as faster processing times for PRC citizens.

Background: Authorities announced a number of new process changes to improve entry and exit services and further open up the country’s immigration system. The first phase of changes, implemented in September, include:

  • Applications by foreigners will be instantly accepted and approved by the Entry and Exit Administration in the following situations:
    • Foreigners who have lost their passport and need a reissued visa may receive instant acceptance and approval if they have an explanation letter provided by the inviting entity and the plane, rail or boat ticket for exiting China with the confirmed date and seat.
    • Foreign crew members and their accompanying family members who need to urgently apply for a permit to leave the port city and leave the country may receive instant acceptance and approval if they have a guarantee letter from the shipping agency and the transportation ticket for exiting China with the confirmed date and seat.
    • A member of a foreign tour group who urgently needs to apply for a visa separate from the group and leave the country may receive instant acceptance and approval if he or she has an explanation letter from the host travel agency and the transportation ticket for exiting China with the confirmed date and seat.
  • PRC citizens may renew immigration documents, including passports and passes to travel to and from Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan, at any entry and exit office nationwide
  • PRC citizens who travel to Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan with a tour group may complete the endorsement application process at any entry and exit office nationwide.
  • Processing times for travel documents for PRC citizens will decrease from 8-13 working days to seven.
  • International voyage ships and shipping agencies may complete immigration inspection procedures online.

Analysis & Comments: The new measures look to streamline and improve immigration services and the services offered by entry and exit offices, particularly for PRC citizens. The addition of scenarios in which instant acceptance and approval of urgent applications by foreign nationals is granted may greatly benefit those who are traveling to China for business or tourism but who lose their passport and must be reissued a temporary visa before they exit mainland China.  

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.