CHINA - Beijing and Shanghai Exit-Entry Bureau Policy Changes
Following China’s new Exit-Entry Administration Law which came into effect on 1 July 2013, a number of changes have been made to the policies and procedures of the Beijing and Shanghai Exit-Entry Bureaus.
Increased Processing Time
From 1 July 2013, the expedited service is no longer available for residence permit applications.
Processing time for residence permit applications (both for first time cases and renewals) has increased from 5-10 working days to 15 working days.
This change is significant because until the residence permit has been issued, the applicant is in China on a single entry visa and therefore cannot travel internationally until he or she has the residence permit. The increased processing time will mean that applicants will need to be in China for at least three weeks to complete the residence permit application before they can travel internationally.
The processing time for business visa extension applications has also increased, from five working days to seven working days.
Change of Status No Longer Possible
Effective immediately, it is no longer possible to change status within China from a tourist or business status to a working visa status with residence permit. Applicants who will be employed in China must enter on the work (Z) visa, and dependents, likewise, must enter with Z visas.
Action Items
- Note the increased processing times for residence permits and plan accordingly; inform employees/transferees currently in China and ensure that travel plans are adjusted accordingly
- Note that change of status is no longer permitted; all applicants must enter China with Z visas; plan accordingly.
