Visa-Free Transit at Beijing Airports and Four Other Visa Policies Announced

Things are getting a little bit easier for foreign nationals to travel to and do business here in China thanks to a few new policies announced by the National Immigration Administration today, according to Beijing Daily and other news outlets.

First and foremost, these five updates include one Beijing-specific policy that’ll make transits a breeze at both Daxing and Capital International. Under the policy, foreign nationals who need to transit through Beijing’s two airports to a third country within 24 hours can bypass border inspection and transit without a visa.

What’s more, if said foreign national needed to leave the specified port area within the 24 hour timeframe, they could apply for a special exit and entry permit at the airport allowing them to enter Beijing providing they present a valid travel document with more than three months' validity, ticket for transit to another country or region within 24 hours, and fill out a temporary exit-entry form.

This policy is now in effect for a number of other airports around China as well. These are Shanghai Pudong, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Xiamen Gaoqi, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao’an, Chengdu Tianfu, and Xi’an Xianyang.

As for the four other policies, these include the relaxation of visa requirements and processes, especially for those already residing in China or those who need to enter the country short term or on a regular basis.

Regarding short term visits, foreigners who need to enter China for urgent non-diplomatic or official business, visits, or personal matters can apply for a port visa upon arrival. Furthermore, foreigners who need to enter and exit China multiple times can apply for multiple entry visas with proper invitations and documents across China.

The final two policies announced affect foreigners applying for or renewing visas in China.

Those applying for visas can now be exempt from providing physical proof if accommodation or business licenses can be verified by other means. Plus, short-term reunion visas can now be approved with a declaration of relationship, rather than going through the hoops to gather the necessary docs needed to provide proof of relationship.

Finally, those renewing visas in China can apply for visa extensions or re-issuance at their local exit-entry bureau, providing they’re in China for short-term visits, business, investing, tourism, family reunions, or other personal matters.

READ: China Travel News You Might Have Missed, Jan 10

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