CHINA – Joins Apostille Convention in November

October 30, 2023


China will officially become a member of the Hague Convention on November 7, 2023, commonly referred to as the Apostille Convention. Previously, the process of certifying international documents through notarization legalization was often complicated and time-consuming, posing a challenge for foreigners working, studying, or settling in China. With China’s accession to the Hague Convention, it will make it easier to prove the authenticity of documents issued overseas that are required to be utilized and submitted in China. The same applies to documents issued in China and are to be utilized in another country that is a member of the Hague Convention.

The Hague Convention, formally known as the “Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents,” is an international agreement aimed at simplifying and expediting the process of certifying and legalizing cross-border documents. This means foreign nationals applying for visas and other international documents in China will no longer need to go through the cumbersome document legalization process. Instead, they only need to obtain Hague Apostille certification. This significant change will save time, effort, and resources, making the entire process more efficient.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.