CHINA – Simplified Visa Application Process

October 5, 2023

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced two changes designed to simplify the visa application process for foreigners.

1. Applicants are now only required to list their travel history for the past year, rather than for the past five years; and,
2. For the education section, applicants now only need to list the highest level of education they achieved rather than providing a complete history.

Both changes are being made in an attempt to streamline the visa application process and to, in turn, attract more international visitors to China. Previously at the end of August, China also dropped the requirement for visitors to supply the results of COVID-19 nucleic acid tests or antigen tests before entry, also in an attempt to increase the number of foreign visitors to China.

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.