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IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Chinese government has announced that it will offer a visa extension to individuals who hold a 10-year visa.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Consulates will no longer accept same category visa applications with 10-year multi-entry visas that have six months or more of validity. More information regarding the 10-year visa extension is available here.
BAL Analysis: Chinese authorities have allowed eligible individuals to apply for a three-year visa extension free of charge due to COVID-19 entry restrictions. Employers should consider whether a three-year extension or new 10-year visa is needed for their sponsored employees.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 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.
The Chinese government announced it will resume its policy of allowing citizens of Singapore and Brunei 15 days of visa-free travel for business, tourism, family visit or transit purposes.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the policy reinstatement “will facilitate people and business flows between our countries and pave the way for deeper bilateral cooperation.” The measure also puts Singapore in the position of having “the world’s most powerful passport” with 192 visa-free destinations, according to Bloomberg.
This alert has been provided by BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The Chinese government announced that it will temporarily accept digital APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTCs).
Additional Information: More information regarding digital ABTCs is available here.
BAL Analysis: Visa applicants who hold digital ABTCs should visit relevant Chinese embassies’ and consulates’ webpages for more details, as specific requirements and procedures can vary from post to post.
The Chinese government announced that it will ease its COVID-19 testing requirements for all air travelers.
Additional Information: More information regarding China’s COVID-19 entry requirements is available here.
BAL Analysis: Individuals are reminded that COVID-19 entry requirements for China can change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Copyright ©2023 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.
The Chinese government recently eased its COVID-19 entry requirements for air travelers from Taiwan.
Additional Information: Individuals who are transiting through Taiwan to mainland China will still need to provide negative PCR test results taken in the country they departed from. More information regarding China’s COVID-19 entry requirements is available here.
The Chinese government will join the Apostille Convention, a change that is expected to decrease the time required to authenticate certain documents.
Additional Information: The electronic Apostille Program was launched in 2006 to support the electronic issuance and verification of Apostilles around the world. China will join 122 other countries who are a part of the Convention. More information on the Apostille Convention is available here.
BAL Analysis: The Chinese government has joined the Apostille Convention with intent to improve and ease the time required to authenticate certain public documents.
The Chinese government recently announced that it will end its COVID-era restrictions for tourist travel to the country.
Additional Information: Chinese authorities will resume the country’s visa-exemption policy for Hainan; visa-exemption cruise policy for Shanghai; for foreign nationals to visit Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macao; and its policy for ASEAN tour groups to Guilin, Guangxi.
The Chinese government recently resumed the issuance of new short-term visitor visas to South Korean nationals.
BAL Analysis: Chinese authorities resumed the issuance of short-term visitor visas as South Korean authorities have lifted their entry restrictions imposed on Chinese travelers.
The Chinese government recently reopened its visa offices in Los Angeles, New York and Washington D.C. and plans to reopen its visa offices in Chicago and San Francisco on Feb. 3.
Additional Information: Multiyear multiple-entry visas issued before March 26, 2020, as well as tourism and medical visas are currently suspended and cannot be used. More information on the reopening of visa offices is available on the Chinese embassy or consulates’ webpages for Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
BAL Analysis: Those planning travel to China should review the instructions posted on the Chinese embassy or consulates’ websites to avoid complications or delays.
The Chinese government recently resumed the issuance of new short-term visas to Japanese nationals.
Additional Information: Reports say that South Korean authorities extended their visa restrictions until at least Feb. 28. As such, the Chinese government continues to restrict the issuance of visas for South Korean nationals.
BAL Analysis: Chinese authorities resumed the issuance of short-term visas as Japanese authorities lifted their previously imposed visa restrictions on Chinese nationals. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.