Source: the website of the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security
I. Applicants
Foreigners who stay or reside within the territory of China for non-diplomatic or official reasons may apply for extension, change or reissuance of a visa, for issuance, change or reissuance of a stay permit, or for issuance, extension, change or reissuance of a residence permit to the exit and entry administration authorityof the public security organ in accordance with relevant regulations.
II. Application Authorities
Foreigners shall apply for a visa to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ at or above the county level entrusted by the Ministry of Public Security.
III. Application Approach
To apply for extension, change or reissuance of a visa or a residence permit, or for a stay permit, a foreigner shall go through relevant formalities in person in the exit and entry administrationauthority of the public security organ. In one of the following circumstances, the application may be entrusted to the inviting entity or individual, the relative of the applicant or the specialized service agency concerned:
1. The applicant is under the age of 16 or over the age of 60 or it would unduly inconvenience the applicant due to illness or other reasons;
2. The applicant’s current entry is not his or her first entry into China and the applicant has a good record of stay or residence in China;
3. The inviting entity or individual has guaranteed to cover the necessary expenses of the applicant incurred in China.
To apply for a residence permit, a foreigner shall go through relevant formalities in person in the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ. If the applicant is a person of high talent who is needed, or a specialist who is urgently needed, by the State, or is in the circumstance prescribed by subparagraph (1) of the preceding paragraph, the inviting entity or individual, the relative of the applicant or the specialized service agency concerned may apply for a residence permit on his or her behalf.
IV. Entity Filing
Inviting or host entities may apply for filing records with the local exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ.
V. Application Formalities
Foreigners who apply for a visa, a stay permit or a residence permit shall accept relevant inquiries of the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ. Where the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ requiresthe inviting entity (individual) to help with the verification of relevant information, the latter shall cooperate. If the applicant or relevant entities or persons fail to be interviewed at an appointed time as notified by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ without valid cause, rejection of the application is allowed.
A foreigner applying for a visa, a stay permit or a residence permit shall fill out the Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form and submit his or her valid passport or other international travel documents, a qualified photo, and materials relating to the purpose of application.
VI. Receipt of Acceptance
Where a foreigner’s application for a visa, a stay permit or a residence permit meets the acceptance provisions, the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ shall accept the application and issue a receipt of acceptance, and decide on whether to issue the visa or permit within the validity period of the receipt of acceptance. The receipt of acceptance of the application for a visa or a stay permit is valid for a period not exceeding 7 days since the acceptance day, while that for a residence permit 15.
Where the applicant’s passport or other international travel documents are retained for processing his or her application for a visa or permit, the applicant may stay or reside in China legally on the strength of the receipt of acceptance.
Where the duration of stay needs to be extended, the visa holder shall file an application with the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ 7 days prior to the expiry of the duration specified in the visa, and shall submit relevant certification documents in accordance with relevant requirements:
1. Applicants holding C visas shall submit the verification letter provided by the competent authorities of the people’s governments at or above the county level or local civil aviation, railway, highway, port or other transportation companies. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.
2. Applicants holding F visas shall submit the verification letter provided by the inviting or host entities. Entities which have not filed records shall submit legal proof of registration. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
3. Applicants holding G visas shall submit the verification letter provided by the host entities and a ticket (air, road, rail or sea) to another country or region with the date and seat number on it. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.
4. Applicants holding J2 visas shall submit the verification letter provided by the foreign affairs departments under the local people’s governments at or above the provincial level. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.
5. Applicants holding L visas shall submit travel plans and itineraries; in the cases of a group tour, the applicants shall also submit the verification letter provided by the travel agencies. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.
6. Applicants holding M visasshall submit the verification letter provided by the local inviting or host entities or the individual. The entities which have not filed records shall submit legal proof of registration. Theindividual shall provide letters with his or her signature and submit the local permanent residence certificate or theresidence proof of actual residence. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
7. Applicants holding Q2 visas shall submit the letter,the identity certificate and the proof of family membership provided by the person to be visited. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
8. Applicants holding R visas shall submit the verification letter provided by the inviting or host entities. Entities which have not filed records shall submit legal proof of registration. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
9. Applicants holding S2 visasfor relative visiting shall submitthe letter, the foreigner’s residence permit andthe proof of family membership provided by the person to be visited. Other applicants shall submit relevant certificates of personal matters or humanitarian grounds. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 180 days for applicants of relative visiting, and 90 days for others.
10.Applicants holding X2 visas shall submit the studying certificate from the education or training agencies in China. The duration of stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
The total period of extension shall not exceed the original duration of stay specified in the visa.
VIII.Certification Documents Required in Visa Change
1. A foreigner, who changes his or her purpose of stay or is granted entry conveniences in accordance with relevant provisions of the State, or where a foreigner starts using a new passport or needs to stay separately from his or her tour group after entering China with a group visa due to objective reasons, may apply for a change of visa and shall submit the certification materials as follows:
1.1 To change for an F visa, the applicant shall submit the verification letter issued by the inviting entity. The visa can be a zero, single, double, or multiple entry one with the validity period for no more than 1 year and each stay period not exceeding 180 days. For foreigners of high talent and specified investors, the visa can be valid for more than 5 years with multiple entries and each stay period not exceeding 180 days.
1.4 To change for a Q2 visa, the applicant shall submit the letter from the person to be visited, identity certificate, and proof of family membershipand may apply to change for a zero, single, double, or multiple entry visa with the validity period for no more than 1 year and each stay period not exceeding 180 days.
1.5 To change for an R visa, the applicant shall submit the relevant certification documents which prove that he or she meets the qualifications and requirements set by the competent authorities of the Chinese government for inviting persons of high talent or urgently needed specialists and the letter issued by the inviting orhost entities. The applicant may apply to change for a zero, single, double, or multiple entry visa with the validity period for no more than 5 years and each stay period not exceeding 180 days.
1.6 To change for an S2 visa, the applicant of relative visiting shall submit the letter, the foreigner’s residence permit and the proof of family membership provided by the person to be visited. Others shall submit relevant certificate of personal matters or humanitarian grounds. The applicant may apply to change for a zero or single entry visa with the validity period for no more than 3 months and each stay period not exceeding 180 days.
1.7 To change for an X2 visa, the applicant shall submit the studying certificate from the education or training institutions in China as well as the admission and enrollment certification. The applicant may apply to change for a zero, single, double entry visa with the validity period for no more than 1 year and each stay period not exceeding 180 days.
3.If any person travelling togetheris added to share the same passport with the foreign applicant during the stay, the applicant shall submit the passport used in entry as well as the birth certificate of the person and change the visa in accordance with relevant provisions listed above.
4. A foreigner, who needs to stay separately from his or her tour group after entering China with a group visa, shall submit the certification from the travel agency and change the visa in accordance with relevant provisions listed above.
The total stay period of the changed visa shall not exceed 1 year since the first entry.
IX. Certification Documents Required in Visa Reissuance
Where the visa of a foreigner in China is lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or robbed, the applicant shall apply for reissuance of the visa and submit the certification materials as follows:
1. A foreigner, whose visa is lost, stolen or robbed, shall submit the Confirmation of Reporting of the Loss of Passport or the Diplomatic Note from his or her country’s Embassy or Consulate in China as well as the new passport or other international travel documents.
2. A foreigner, whose visa is damaged or destroyed, shall submit the damaged or destroyed passport or the Diplomatic Note from theembassy or consulate of the applicant’s own country in China as well as the new passport or other international travel documents.
3. Where a group visa is lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or robbed, the applicant shall submit the certification from the local travel agency and the copy of the group visa.
Applicants can apply for reissuance of the visa of the same type, validity period, stay period and remaining valid entry time as the original one.
X. Certification Documents Required in Application of Stay Permit
1. Where foreigners, for non-diplomatic or official reasons, need to overstay the visa-free period, they shall apply for a stay permit with corresponding duration in accordance with the provisions in Article 7 and submit relevant certification documents.
2. Where foreign seamen and their accompanying family members need to leave the port city where the vessel is docked, they shall submit the seaman’s certificate, or other international travel documentsand the letter of guarantee of the shipping agency, as well as a ticket (air, road, rail or sea) with the date and seat number on it or information of specific application matters. The stay period shall be no more than 30 days.
3.Where applicantshave renounced Chinese nationality but need to stay, they shall submit renouncement certification documents, passports or other international travel documents and information relating to the reasons for the stay. The stay period shall be no more than 180 days.
4. Where a foreignerneeds to stay for humanitarian reasons while the stay permit has terminated, the applicant shall submit the residence permit and relevant supporting documents. The stay period shall be no more than 30 days.
5. For foreign infantsborn in China, the birth certificate, passportand parents’ passportsshall be submitted and thestay period can be the same as their parents’.
6.Foreigners, who hold stay permits and need to overstay due to objective reasons, may apply for a change of the stay permit. The application materials and requirements of change are in accordance with the aboveprovisions.
7. Foreigners who do not hold a valid passport or other international travel documents due to loss, damage, destruction, theft, or robbery shall submit the Confirmation of Reporting of the Loss of Passport or the Diplomatic Note from their country’s embassy or consulate in China as well as the new passport or other international travel documents and apply for reissuance of the stay permit with the same validity period.
XI. Certification Documents Required in Application of Residence Permit
Where visas held by foreigners specify that foreigners need to apply for residence permits after entry, such foreigners shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ in the proposed places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
When applying for a residence permit valid for more than 1 year, a foreigner shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit his or her health certificateissued by the local health and quarantine department or medical authorities at or above the county level, proving that the applicant is not suffering serious mental disorder, infectious tuberculosis or other infectious diseases that may severely jeopardize the public health. Certification documents requiredare as follows:
1. The residence permit for work: applicants who enter China with Z visas shall submit the work permits issued by the local competent department of human resources and social security and the competent department in charge of foreign experts’ affairs, and the letter issued by the working unit. Applicants with other visas shall also submit the certification documents which prove that they meet the qualifications and requirements set by the competent authorities of the Chinese government for inviting persons of high talent, urgently needed specialists or investors. The validity period of the residence permit shall not exceed 5years for persons of high talent, urgently needed specialists or investors; while that shall not exceed 2 years for foreigners working in entities with reputable record; and 1 year for others.
2. The residence permit for study: applicants who enter China with X1 visas, shall submit the letter specifying the duration of study and admission or enrollment certification provided by the admission institution. Applicants with other visas shall also submit the certification documents issued by the competent authority. The validity period of the residence permit shall be the same as the duration of study.
Where a foreigner holding a residence permit for study intends to engage in work-study or off-campus internship, he or she shall, upon the approval of the school, submit the approval letter issued by the school and internship unit, and apply to the exit and entry administration authorityof the public security organ to have such information specified in his or her residence permit.
3. The residence permit for journalists: applicants who enter China with J1 visas shall submit the letter provided and the Press Card issued by the foreign affairs department of the provincial people’s government. The validity period of the residence permit shall not exceed 1 year.
4. The residence permit for reunion: applicants with Q1 visas shall submit the identity certificate of the person to be visited, and the letter proving family relationship. Applicants with other visas shall also submit proof of family relationship and certification documents relating to the purpose of application. For applicants under the age of 18 or over 60, the validity period of the residence permit shall not exceed 3 years. For applicants under the age of 18, the validity date shall not exceed his or her 18-year-old-birthday. For others, the validity period of the residence permit shall not exceed 2 years.
For Chinese of foreign nationality and oversea Chinese who foster their foreign children under the age of 18 in China, the foster trustees may apply for the children’s residence permit on their behalf to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of the registered residence or the main place of residence. The trustees shall submit: 1) the applicants’ birth certificates, their parents’ passport copies, proof of residence abroad if any of the parents is Chinese; 2) the power of attorney of the applicant’s parents which specify the entrusted custody or guardian, foster care period and other relevant information; 3) the trustee’s local permanent residence certificate or the proof of actual residence of exceeding 6 months and the identity certificate. The validity period of the residence permit shall not exceed 3 years and the validity date shall not exceed the 18-year-old birthday of the applicants.
5. The residence permit for personal matters: applicantswho enter China with S1 visas for relative visiting shall submit the residence permitand the letter provided by the person to be visited as the proof of kinship (spouses, parents, parents-in-law or children under the age of 18) and may apply for a residence permit with the same validity period as the visited person’s. Other applicants shall submit relevant certificates of personal matters and may apply for a residence permit with the validity period not exceeding 1 year.
Applicants who enter China with other visas shall submit the letter, the residence permit and thekinship certificate (spouses, parents, parents-in-law or children under the age of 18) provided by the personto be visited and may apply for a residence permit with the same validity period as the visited person’s. Applicants with humanitarian reasons shall submit relevant certification materials and may apply for a residence permit with the validity period not exceeding 1 year. Foreign Chinese over the age of 60, who have bought a property in China, shall submit the certificate of real estate or notarized contract of the sale and purchase of the house, and the proof of financial sources. Foreigners who have received medical assistance or services in China shall submit documents of hospitalization or medical service for over 6 months issued by Level2First Class medical institutions or those at or above county level.
XII. Application of Residence Permit Extension
Foreigners shall apply for the extension of the residence permit to the exit and entry administration authorityof the public security organ 30 days prior to the expiry date and submit the relevant certification materials. After the review, if the reasons for such extension are reasonable and adequate, the extension of residence shall be granted, otherwise applicants shall leave China on time.
XIII. Application of Residence Permit Change
Foreigners who change any of the registration items of the residence permit, such as name, purpose of residence, passport or other international travel document numbers, shall apply to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ within 10 days from the date of change and submit thebasic personal information as well as the relevant certification materials of residence in accordance with the provisions listedabove for change of the residence permit.
Where the residence permit of a foreigner is lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or robbed, the applicant shall submit the Confirmation of Reporting of the Loss of Passport, the Diplomatic Note from theembassy or consulateof the applicant’s own country in China or the damaged or destroyed certification as well as the new passport or other international travel documents and apply for reissuance of the residence permit.
XV. Application of the Entry and Exit Certification
Where the passport or other international travel documents of a foreigner in China is lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen, robbed or invalid and cannot bereissued in his or her country’s embassy or consulate in China, theapplicant shall submit the Confirmation of Reporting of the Loss of Passport, the Diplomatic Note from the embassy or consulate of the applicant’s own country in China or the damaged, destroyed or invalid passport or other international travel documents as well as the temporary identity certification instead and apply for an entry and exit certification with the period not exceeding 30days.
XVI. Terms in the Regulations
1. Family members include spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters, and spouses of sons or daughters.
2. Proof of family membership and kinship certificate: marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate or other kinship certificates and relevant notarization that issued by the relevant national authorities; marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certificate, and alteration certificate of name and other information issued by the embassy or consulate of the applicant’s own country in China.
3. The marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certificate, and alteration certificate of name and other information issued by the foreign competent department or the notarization department shall be authenticated by Chinese embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country.
4. Identity Certificate: Identity Certificate for residents of mainland China refers to the local permanent resident registration certificate or the residence proof of more than 6 months’ actual residence and the identity card; for overseas Chinese refers to the Chinese passport and the proof of residence abroad; for residents of Hong Kong and Macao refers to the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents; for residents of Taiwan refers to the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents; and for foreigners refers to the Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Card. Overseas Chinese and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan shall also submit the residence proof of more than 6 months’ actual residence.
The materials mentioned above shall be translated into Chinese if in foreign languages.
XVII. Time for Examination and Approval
The exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ shall make the examination and approval within 7 working days for the application of visa and stay permit and 15 working days for the residence permit.
Applicants with valid reasons can apply to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ for shortening the time for examinationand approval. The public security organ may provide convenience according to the actual situation.
XVIII. Effectiveness of Examination and Approval
Circumstances in which a visa or residence permit shall not be issued as prescribed by the provisions of Article 21 or Article 31 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law.
Decisions made by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ on rejecting applications for visa extension or reissuance, or on not issuing foreigners’ stay or residence permits or not extending the duration of residence shall be final.
XIX. Accommodation Registration
Foreigners shall registertheir accommodation in accordance with the provisions of the Exit and Entry Administration Law. The exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ may, after the acceptance of their visa application, require the applicants to submit Accommodation Registration Form for Foreign Nationals.
XX. Fees
Foreigners, who apply for a visa, a stay permit or a residence permit, shall pay visa fees or document fees in accordance with relevant regulations.
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