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Visa & Immigration Update - Business (M) Visas and Residence Visa Extensions in China

Published: Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Sophia Hu

China Immigration Service Manager

Effective Date: Immediate
Impacted Country: China

Update/Policy Changes:

Authorities in Beijing and Shanghai have suspended issuance of business (M) category invitation letters: Immigration authorities in Beijing and Shanghai are increasingly willing to accept letters of invitation from Chinese companies for foreign nationals applying for business (M) visas. The move seems to confirm a wider trend towards a simplified visa application process for people with key business and professional skills in China.
Original documents required for the residence visas extension: Shanghai’s Public Security and Exit-Entry Bureau is asking foreign nationals seeking to extend residence visas on the basis of dependents to provide original documents as proof of their relationship if their spouse/parent (principal applicant) has citizenship of Hong Kong, Taiwan or Macao, or is Overseas Chinese.
China Golden Week National Holiday: Government offices in China will be closed from Saturday, 1 October to Friday, 7 October inclusive, to mark National Day Golden Week. This annual national holiday begins with National Day on Saturday 1 October and commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Normal working hours resume Saturday 8 October and include Sunday 9 October.

Our Recommendations:

SIRVA recommends M visa applicants and employers check with local consulates and immigration professionals whether a company-issued letter of invitation is acceptable. So far the suspension of local-authority-issued letters of invitation covers just Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Pudong District Foreign Affairs Office and Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce in Shanghai. Shanghai’s Foreign Affairs Office continues to issue letters of invitation for some countries.
Applicants need to have up-to-date and original paperwork to support their application.
We recommend applicants and employers anticipate visa processing delays. Build in extra time to account for National Day Golden Week closures and file applications in advance if possible. We also advise clients to plan, book and confirm travel and accommodation plans well ahead during this traditional peak travel season. This is especially the case for popular cities and destinations.

If you have any questions on this issue or any other Visa & Immigration topics, please contact: