I. Who can benefit

The foreign business people in this Notice primarily refer to "foreign nationals who need to frequently come to China for business activities and have made positive contributions to Shanghai's international business and trade cooperation, as well as their spouses and children". Inviting organizations include state-owned, private and foreign-invested enterprises.

II. What is it about

Eligible foreign business people may apply to the Chinese embassy or a consulate in their home country for a five-year multiple-entry M visa or an equivalent category visa with a 180-day stay, upon receiving a Special Visa Invitation Letter issued by the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office. Applicants may be exempted from fingerprint collection and may entrust others to apply for the visa, and will only be charged the fee for a one-year multiple-entry visa.

III. How to make application

1. Application for Special Visa Invitation Letter

The application for Special Visa Invitation Letter for eligible foreign business people shall be made by the inviting organization.

2. Qualification of Inviting Organizations

Eligible inviting organizations shall submit a written application to their local authorities or competent departments to be qualified. After reviewing their qualifications, the local authorities or competent departments will issue a “registration code” to the qualified organizations.

3. Online Registration and Provision of Visa Application Information

The qualified inviting organizations shall use the “registration code” to register. After successful registration, the inviting organizations can fill in the visa application information online for the foreign business person(s) they invite. After review, the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office will issue a Special Visa Invitation Letter for the foreign business people as well as their spouses and children.

4. Visa Application by Foreign Business People

Foreign business people may apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy or a consulate in their location with the Special Visa Invitation Letter within 3 months.

IV. Things to Note

1. An inviting organization shall only file visa application for those it invites to China for business activities, and shall not arbitrarily expand the scope or apply for those coming to China for non-business purposes.

2. If a foreign business person benefiting from this visa facilitation engages in "three illegals" or other illegal and criminal activities in China, the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office shall revoke the application qualifications of relevant enterprises in accordance with the law.

Translator’s note:

The term "three illegals" refers to illegal entry, illegal stay, or illegal employment by foreign nationals in China.

The post Special Visa Facilitation for Foreign Business People to Shanghai first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

Q: Who does the visa waiver apply to?

A: Nationals of 38 countries including Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan holding valid ordinary passports can be exempted from visa requirement if entering into China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without visa.

02

Q: Do foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver need to make declarations to Chinese embassies and consulates in advance?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies and consulates before entering China without a visa.

03

Q: Will the purpose of intended stay in China be examined by Chinese border inspection authorities when entering China? How will it be done? Are other documents needed for entering China in addition to a passport?

A: Foreign nationals traveling for purposes of business, tourism, family or friends visits，exchange and transit that meet the visa waiver requirements can be allowed to enter China without a visa upon examination and approval in accordance with law by border inspection authorities. Entry into China shall be denied by border inspection authorities in accordance with law to foreign nationals who travel for purposes that do not meet the visa waiver requirements or who are not allowed to enter China in accordance with laws and regulations. It is recommended to take documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and reservations of accommodation as a proof corresponding to the purposes of entry into China. Visa waiver does not apply to those who come to China for work, study, journalistic or alike purposes.

04

Q: Is there any additional requirement for minors eligible for a visa waiver?

A: Visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as for adults.

05

Q: Are there any requirements on the type and validity of entry documents?

A: For foreign nationals, an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of intended stay in China is needed. Holders of travel documents or temporary or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter into China without a visa.

06

Q: How to calculate the duration of stay of 30 days?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver may stay in China continuously without a visa from the date of entry to the 30th calendar day until 24:00.

07

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel from a third country?

A: Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region.

08

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel by forms of transport other than aviation?

A: The visa waiver applies to all travelers coming to China through any sea, road and air port open to foreign nationals (except where laws, regulations and bilateral arrangements specify otherwise). For arrivals in China by private transport, certain procedures for entry and exit of means of transport shall be processed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of China.

09

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to tour groups?

A: The visa waiver applies to eligible foreign nationals either in tour groups or as individuals.

10

Q: If the length of intended stay exceeds 30 days, can the visa waiver be extended?

A: Foreign nationals planning to stay in China for over 30 days shall apply for visas corresponding to their purposes of stay in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates. If they have to stay longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China without a visa, they shall apply for stay permits to the exit and entry administrations of public security authorities of China.

11

Q: Does the visa waiver allow multiple entries? Is there any requirement on the length of intervals between each entry, or any restriction on the number of entries without a visa or total days of stay?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver can enter China without a visa for multiple times. Currently there is no restriction on the number of entries or total days of stay, but those who enjoy visa-free travel to China shall not engage in activities inconsistent with their purposes of entry.  

The post FAQs on Unilateral Visa-Free Policies first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

The post Foreigners Working in China: How to Use E-Social Security Card first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

Approved by the National Immigration Administration, the program now allows foreign nationals invited by eligible companies in Pudong to apply for F (visit), M (business), R (talent), Z (work) and S2 (personal affairs) electronic port visas to enter and stay in Shanghai.

The electronic visa process is fully digital. Registered companies can submit visa applications through the electronic platform of local police.

Once the visa is issued, the inviting company can download the confirmation as a PDF and send it to the applicant, who can use it to enter Shanghai with a passport and electronic confirmation in hand.

The pilot program first launched in the Lingang Special Area of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in July, receiving strong feedback for making it much easier for foreign employees to enter China.

Building on the success in Lingang, officials have worked with Pudong's departments to expand the program and educate eligible businesses on the policy.

The expansion aims to further simplify the entry process for foreign nationals, improving both investment and trade opportunities in Pudong and supporting a more open business environment.

The post E-Port Visa Program Now Covers All Pudong New Area first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

01. Foreigner's Work Permit in China

The new application, extension, modification, and cancellation of work permits are handled entirely online through the Foreigners' Work Permit Management and Service System. Foreigners no longer need to apply for a physical work permit upon entering China. For those who have already obtained a physical work permit for foreigners, following the principle of "no change, no replacement," the process will be handled according to the new integrated card and permit procedures when the existing work permit is extended or modified.

02. Obtain an electronic social security card

After entering China, foreigners can download the APP of electronic social security card on their mobile phones, register and log in using their name, work permit number, or social security number, and obtain an electronic social security card with work permit information after passing real-name and real-person verification. After foreigners apply for a physical social security card, the electronic social security card will provide standard services to them.

The post Integration of Foreigner’s Work Permit with Social Security Card first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

The post How overseas personnel apply for accommodation registration first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

If a foreigner wants to set up a business or open a company here, of course, it's welcome. They can apply for an F visa or M visa (business visa), or a visa for personal affairs, through the Chinese embassy or consulate. When they arrive in China, we will check the documents provided – for example, if they want to set up a business, they will need to get a business license and show this kind of evidence. We may then give them a six-month visa or even a one-year residence permit, depending on the documents provided.

If you're still in the process of starting a company when you arrive, you can apply for an extension of the original business visa. When you're finished setting up the company, normally you'll then obtain a work permit, and if you've got a work permit, usually we will issue a residence permit for one year.

What are the requirements to apply for a start-up visa or business visa?

If you are already in China and want to change your status, you can provide proof that you're opening a company, and we may change the type of visa relatively – for instance, issue a business visa for several months. If you already have a work permit we will issue a residence permit, providing that the business is legitimate.

Are there ways to change the status of your visa?

Yes! For example, if you're in China for a short stay with a business visa, but later want to open a company, we may change the status. Or, if you were a student and now you have a work permit, we can also change it. It all depends on the situation. We will issue a residence permit based on whether you're qualified and all documents are correct.

We welcome foreigners to study, work, visit or tour in China. If you can provide the relevant documents, we will issue the relevant visa or residence permit. The door is open always, but you need to provide some evidence of your reasons for being here.

If someone needs to apply for a residence permit, but they urgently need their passport to travel, what do they do?

There are a few ways to solve this issue. If you need to travel urgently, you can provide a plane ticket to prove it's urgent, and we will rush the application through. Normally it takes seven working days to issue a visa or residence permit, but in this case, we may rush to issue it in two to three days.

If you want to travel to the Chinese mainland, you can use the application receipt, which can still be used as temporary proof of stay in China, even though we have your passport.

The third way is that if necessary, you can apply to take back your passport during the application period – we will give back your passport, and after seven working days, you can come back and we will add the visa or residence permit to the passport.

When foreigners need to update their address and personal information, where do they go? And if they move, do they have to change their information?

Foreigners who are not staying in a hotel and want to register their address can go to the local police station, or register directly through the website. If you already have a residence permit and need to change your address, you can do it directly through the website.

If you move, you need to update your information – it is required by law. If you're in a hotel, they will do it for you; if you have your own apartment or are staying with a friend, you need to do it yourself.

The post The Visa's Q&A with Shanghai Exit-Entry Officials first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

I have a few questions about the 144-hour visa-free transit policy:

I hold a British passport and plan to fly from London to Hong Kong, then from Hong Kong to Shanghai and afterwards travel in Shanghai for four days, flying back to London. I would like to know:

1. Does flying from Hong Kong to Shanghai to London comply with the 144-hour visa-free transit policy requirements?
2. What is a "through ticket"? Does it require both segments to be with the same airline?
3. Must the airport of arrival in Shanghai be the same as the airport of departure from Shanghai?

A:

Based on your plans, here's how the 144-hour visa-free transit policy applies to you:

1. If you hold a British passport and have pre-booked flights from Hong Kong to Shanghai and from Shanghai to London four days later, you qualify for the 144-hour visa-free transit in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area.
2. Purchasing separate tickets in advance for the Hong Kong to Shanghai and Shanghai to London segments is acceptable. The immigration authorities do not require both segments to be with the same airline.
3. You can enter or exit through either Shanghai Hongqiao Airport or Shanghai Pudong Airport. For example, you can fly from Hong Kong to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and depart from Shanghai Pudong Airport to London and still comply with the policy.

Important notes:

• Ensure your passport is valid for at least three more months.
• If your passport has a Chinese visa rejection stamp, or if you have records of illegal entry, residence, or employment in China within the past five years, you will not be issued a temporary entry permit and cannot use the 144-hour visa-free transit.

(Source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection)

Q:

My daughter and I are Finnish citizens traveling to Shanghai from London on Oct 25 and staying until Oct 30.

Then, we'll go to Japan for five days and transit back through Shanghai to London, staying less than 24 hours.

Can we use the 144-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai for our initial stay and the 24-hour visa-free transit on our return from Japan? Or should we get a double-entry visa before our trip?

My husband, an Irish citizen, can stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days. Does he need to do anything else?

Lastly, we have Turkish stamps in our passports from a recent trip. Will they cause any issues for visa-free entry?

A:

Based on your letter, if you have a valid Finnish passport and have pre-booked direct flights from London to Shanghai and then from Shanghai to Japan six days later, you can apply for a 144-hour visa-free transit in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area with the border inspection authorities.

With regards to you and your daughter, given that you both hold valid Finnish travel documents and have confirmed connecting flights from Japan to Shanghai and then to London within 24 hours, you have two options:

1. If you don't need to leave the airport's restricted area, you can transit directly without going through immigration.
2. If you wish to exit the restricted area, you can apply for a 24-hour visa-free transit at the immigration desk. After a successful border check, you'll be granted temporary entry.

With regards to your husband:

As an Irish passport holder, your husband may be eligible for a 15-day visa-free stay if:

• His visit purpose aligns with current policy
• He can provide supporting documents for his entry purpose
• He receives approval from border inspection authorities

Regarding your question about the Turkish visa, the impact of a Turkish visa on visa-free entry will be determined by the border inspection authorities at the time of entry.

(Source: Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection)

Q:

As I have reached retirement age and will be leaving China, how can I withdraw my social security contributions (pension, medical)?

A:

Under Article 5 of the Interim Measures for Social Insurance System Coverage of Foreigners Working within the Territory of China:

Foreigners covered by the social insurance system shall be entitled to social insurance benefits in accordance with the law, once the qualifying conditions are met.

For those who leave the country before reaching the stipulated pension age, their individual social insurance accounts will be retained. If they return to China for employment, their contribution years will be accumulated. Alternatively, upon a written application to terminate the social insurance relationship, the balance in their individual social insurance account can be paid out to them in a lump sum.

Individuals can go to the nearest community affairs service center for processing.

According to the relevant regulations on the basic medical insurance for employees, employees who terminate their pension insurance – due to a one-time pension payment, death, or emigration and the cancellation of their basic pension insurance account – can bring documents to the nearest district medical insurance center to settle their personal medical account funds.

Before settling the personal account funds, any unpaid or unreimbursed medical expenses for outpatient, emergency, hospitalization, or home care must first be settled, reimbursed, or reduced.

If the settlement amount exceeds 10,000 yuan ($1,378), an appointment is required and the settlement can be processed within 10 working days after making the appointment.

(Sources: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, Shanghai Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau)

Q:

I have been living and working in Shanghai for three years and am enrolled in the social security system, including the Housing Provident Fund. Is there a way I can check the amount I have accumulated?

A:

Foreign employees need to bring their insurance documents to the nearest district social security center, in order to check their pension insurance payment status.

Applicants who are not citizens of the Chinese mainland can inquire about the details of their accounts for the past three years at the business outlets of the Shanghai Provident Fund Management Center or those of the China Construction Bank's housing provident fund, with any of the following valid identification – passport, residence permit, exit and entry permit, or other valid ID, according to the fund management center.

(Sources: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, Shanghai Provident Fund Management Center)

Q:

I have been accepted into a university in Shanghai and will start my studies in September. Once I receive the JW202/201 Form and the admission letter from the university, can I apply directly for a new residence permit?

A:

You can apply for a residence permit for foreign students in Shanghai with the following documents: the application forms and admission notice from the university, the Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW202/201 Form) and other relevant documents, according to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security.

(Source: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security)

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The post FAQs: Answers to common expat queries first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

According to the basic laws of the two regions, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau include both Chinese and non-Chinese nationals.

Holders of these documents will be allowed multiple entries into the mainland within a five-year validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. After completing procedures such as fingerprint collection, the holders can enter through the express clearance channel, according to the administration.

However, if non-Chinese holders intend to work, study, or engage in news reporting activities on the mainland, they should apply for visas or residence permits in accordance with the law.

The administration said that it will continue to improve immigration management services to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, and promote the integration of Hong Kong and Macau into the country's overall development.

Q: Can the Permit holders work in the mainland? 

A: No. The Permit is issued for Non-Chinese traveling for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars. The holder shall not work, study, or engage in news reporting activities with the Permit. 

Q：Where should the applicants go for applications?

A: The applicants should go to the China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or Hong Kong and China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. for the first application. For the Permit's renewal, replacement or identity information change, they can also submit applications to the Immigration Bureau in the mainland. 

Q: What is the validity period of the Permit? And the duration of stay?

A: The Permit is valid for 5 years with multiple entries, and the duration of stay is 90 days for each entry.

Q: How long is the processing time of the Permit? 

A: The processing time limit for acceptance, approval and issuance of the Permit is 20 working days.

Q: Can the Permit holders use the fast channel for frontier inspection and customs clearance when entering and exiting China?

A: Yes, the Permit holders can go through customs clearance through fast channels after completing fingerprint collection procedures at ports. In addition, they are not required to fill in the Arrival Card when entering China with the Permit.

Q: Is residence registration still required after each entry with the Permit? 

A: Yes, during their stay in China, the Permit holders shall register for accommodation in accordance with laws. 

The post Easier travel to mainland for non-Chinese residents of HK, Macau first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.

Since 2023, the administration has continuously refined policies and measures concerning the arrival of foreign individuals in China, resulting in several noteworthy developments:

1. Entry and exit policy

(1) Five-year multiple-entry visas for foreign business people

Foreign nationals engaged in trade cooperation, investment, entrepreneurship, and other business activities in China, with legitimate reasons for multiple entries, may now obtain multiple-entry visas valid for five years.

These visas can be extended, renewed, or reissued at convenient locations.

Following the implementation of these policies, the number of visa applications processed in China has seen a 150 percent year-on-year increase.

(2) Two-year visas for foreign executives and technicians

Foreign executives and technicians of foreign-invested enterprises may obtain visas valid for two years, and their accompanying spouses and minor children can apply for visas with the same period of validity. Relevant extensions or reissue procedures are also available.

(3) Port visa services expansion

Since 2023, the reinstatement and expansion of port visa services to additional entry points have enabled foreign nationals holding ordinary passports to obtain port visas for urgent business cooperation, visits, investments, entrepreneurial ventures, tourism, or sightseeing purposes in China.

To date, over 950,000 applications have been successfully processed, restoring the issuance volume to its pre-pandemic level.

(4) Visa-free transit

China has implemented 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies for nationals from 54 countries at 31 ports across 18 province-level regions.

Since January 2013, more than 500,000 foreigners traveled through China under the visa-free transit policy.

(5) Multilingual services

The National Immigration Administration has established multi-language government websites and new media platforms to publish policies regarding entry and exit policies for foreigners, as well as visa and document application procedures.

A 24-hour global hotline service 12367 has been launched, receiving more than 7 million consultations since 2021, with a satisfaction rate of 97 percent.

2. Stay policy

(1) Five-year residence permits

Foreign nationals employed in China who have obtained a work-type residence permit (one year or more) for two consecutive terms, along with foreign managerial, professional technical personnel, and members of research and innovation teams working in prominent enterprises and research institutions may be granted five-year residence permits.

Those meeting relevant conditions may also be approved for permanent residency in China.

(2) No need to reapply for residence permits

Foreign management and professional technical personnel permitted to work in China are not required to reapply for residence permits when transferring work positions across regions within their affiliated enterprises or institutions, or pursuing academic degrees at domestic institutions of higher learning.

(3) Passport convenience

Foreign nationals applying for residence documents in China due to investment, entrepreneurship, work, or study purposes may be exempted from depositing their passports at the exit-entry administrations of the public security bureaus. Instead, after on-site inspection and verification they can hold onto their passports and later bring them to collect their residence documents at the agreed time.

(4) Paperless procedures

When processing visa applications, foreigners will not be asked to provide paper documents when the National Immigration Administration has access to the relevant information through inter-departmental information sharing, such as individual accommodation registration records and the business license of the inviting (employing) enterprise.

(5) Online services

Through functions such as the Mobile Office and Online Office on the immigration management government service platform, foreigners may make online appointments, check progress, and inquire about visas and other documents.

The post China enhances foreign entry and stay policies first appeared on J & K Investment Consulting.