Worlda News: China's Visa Changes

For last few years, China's regulations towards Expats Visa Application Management have seen many changes It is better to be updated from time to time about the new rules so that you may benefit from them or at least not get in troubles because of them. Here is a list of new changes for the first half of 2016.

Jan 2016

For the working permit renewal, According to the new announcement from the labor bureau, it will take 5 working days instead of 3 working days. So, we remind all of you Z Visa holder, please submit your working visa renewal application at least 6 working days before it expires.

Shanghai entry-exit bureau request foreigners who got the new passport transfer their old visa to new passport within 1 month (count from new passport issue date), If you don't do that, you will be requested to show up when you renew your next working visa and you will face a warning or small penalty. (it might also affect your long-term visa application in the future, for example, 5 years working visa or green card application).

Feb 2016

Foreigners come from 51 countries who transit (destined for a third country or region - HK, Macau, Taiwan with booked a through air ticket) in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang within 144 hours (6 days) are exempted from visas for China.

The countries are:

-24 Schengen countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

-13 other European countries: Russia, Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania.

-6 American countries: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.

-2 Oceania countries: Australia and New Zealand.

-6 Asian countries: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Apr 2016

According to the latest policy, the Labor Bureau requires every company to apply a user card if they want to hire foreign employee. It takes extra 5-15 working days. To avoid any delay in the future,every client is suggested to apply it as soon as possible. More details can be found to the nearest Foreign Entry&Exit Security Bureau.

Card sample on photo below

May 2016

To attract more foreign talent work in Shanghai, now the Shanghai  Labor Bureau provide a preferential policy for fresh graduated foreign student, even he/she didn't have 2 years working experience (the minimum requirement for China working visa before), if they reach following conditions, they can still apply the working permit and visa here in shanghai directly (more details, please check it with our visa consultant):

Master degree or higher degree (Obtain from the university in shanghai)

Employed by a company registered in Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) or Zhang Jiang high technology park.

Skill certificate suitable for his job

July 2016

According to the new policy from Shanghai Labor Bureau, for the new working visa application, you are request to provide original 2+ years working reference letter instead of the copy.

For more Visa related infos, feel free to benefit from the free Visa Consultancy Service available on Worlda blog.

What would be the next move?

Let's wait and see...