China to simplify entry for foreigners
China intends to simplify the rules of entry into the country for a number of categories of foreign citizens, TASS reports
Mao Xu, the Director of the Foreigners Management Department of the National Immigration Administration, said at a press conference that foreigners who come to China for a short period of time to participate in non-public activities – i.e. for the purpose of business co-operation, entrepreneurship, visiting relatives, sightseeing or conducting private business – will be able to legally apply to the immigration administration body closest to their place of residence for an extension, replacement and reissue of a visa.
In addition, the entry conditions for foreigners coming to China to apply for port visas and the transit procedure through the country's capital airports will be simplified. Foreigners in transit at Beijing airports for a period of no more than 24 hours will be exempt from border control procedures and not need to obtain a visa.
Mao Xu noted that the new measures will also make it easier to visit China for a short period of time to meet with relatives. Foreigners entering for this purpose will no longer be required to confirm kinship with the inviting party and undergo related authentication procedures. Instead, the receiving party may provide an appropriate statement.
It is reported that – due to the improvement of information technologies in the field of immigration management – the process of accepting and reviewing applications will be further simplified.
