Shenzhen Entry Policy Interpretation by Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Go back »

2020-05-27 | South China

Shenzhen Entry Policy Interpretation by Shenzhen Public Security Bureau

On 22nd May, the European Chamber South China Chapter organised an online and onsite Q&A session on entry policies relating to Shenzhen with the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Foreign Visa Department and the Nanshan District Public Security Bureau.

1.    Updates on the ‘Fast-track’ Channel

快速通关

Fast-track means ‘crossing the border without needing to quarantine’. This policy is now at the planning and discussion stage. A fast-track channel agreement indicates that the governments of both countries have agreed to implement such action, on the premise that both countries have effectively controlled the pandemic. For example, 20 Korean experts have returned to China under this policy. The implementation of a ‘fast-track’ channel not only depends on the Chinese government but also on how the countries wishing to participate in this scheme have controlled the pandemic. The latest information on the policy can be found on the following three WeChat accounts: Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office, Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office, and National Immigration Administration (NIA).

For the latest policies and details on visa regulations, please follow the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website and/or WeChat. For Shenzhen-specific regulations, please follow the Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office website and/or WeChat.

快速通关意味着在少数国家之间入境之后不再需要隔离。现在这项工作正处在计划和讨论阶段。例如，已有20多位韩国专家通过快速通关返华。快速通关意味着双方国家政府在有效控制疫情的前提下，共同决定实施该计划。快速通关的实施不仅取决于中国政府，也取决于实施该计划的双方国家的疫情是否都已得到有效控制。推荐关注三个微信账号和网站查询最新资讯：广东外事办，深圳外事办还有国家移民局 (NIA)。

关于最新的国家层面的法规和政策颁布及签证细则，请关注国家移民局的网站与公众号。关于深圳市的规定，请关注深圳外事办的网站与公众号。

广东外事办Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office: http://www.gdfao.gd.gov.cn
深圳外事办Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office: http://fao.sz.gov.cn
国家移民局National Immigration Administration (NIA): https://www.nia.gov.cn

 

2.     What is the process for individuals’ applications to return to China?

政府将如何审核关于个人返华的资格?

Chinese visas issued before 28th March 2020 are not valid any more. If you have a visa issued after 28th March, you can enter China (with instructed quarantine). For important matters (such as crucial business, scientific research, humanitarian aid), you will need a company or an institution/organisation based in China to apply for an invitation letter from the local foreign affairs office.

在2020年3月28日之前签发的中国签证已全面暂停。但在3月28日之后签发的中国签证是可以入境的（入境后仍需按要求隔离）。如果因为重要原因（重要商业、科研、人道主义）来华，需要有中国本地企业或机构为该外籍人士申请由本地外事办发出的邀请函。 

 

3.     What qualifies a specialist to return to China?

关于各领域的专家，需要提供什么资料才可以回到中国?

First, companies and institutions based in China must decide which experts they wish to apply for a visa for. Different Chinese government departments are responsible for verifying specialists in different industries. For example: telecommunication companies should submit their specialists’ applications to the Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, and specialists in science and technology should submit applications to the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Committee. Other experts who do not work in industries under specific government branches should submit their applications to Municipal Foreign Experts Bureau. 

首先，各企业和机构要确认有邀请哪些专家返华的需求。不同行业的专家应由相对应的各地政府部门进行认证，不同的政府机构是对接不同行业的企业的。例如：电信企业专家的申请应通过市工信局；高科技领域专家的申请应通过市科创委；其他专家的申请可通过市外专局。

 

4.     Current quarantine policy when entering China

入境中国后的隔离政策

Everyone not going through the fast-track channel will need to quarantine for 14 days after entering China.

除快速通关外，所有人入境后都要求隔离14天。

 

5.     How to apply for a visa?

如何申请返华签证？

Individuals can contact their nearest Chinese embassy to apply for a visa. The Chinese Foreign Ministry website has a list of all consulates’ and embassies’ contact information.

可以联系最近的中国大使馆申请签证，中国外交部网站上有所有中国使领馆的联系信息。

For specialists invited to apply for a visa:

  • first, make sure your company and relevant industry is listed among the crucial industries specified by the local government.
  • If it is, your company can apply for an invitation letter from the local foreign affairs office.
  • With the Invitation letter, you can apply for a visa at your nearest Chinese embassy.
  • Be sure to confirm your flight details and local quarantine measures for your destination city in advance.

If you are on a humanitarian trip, please contact your local government for a visa. If you arrive in Hong Kong before entering Mainland China, you will need to be quarantined in Hong Kong and quarantined again after entering Shenzhen/Mainland China.

个人通过邀请函申请签证返华：首先必须确认你所属的企业和行业符合当地政府对重要行业的定义，那么就可以此申请当地外事办的邀请函。然后携邀请函去最近的大使馆或领事馆办理相关签证。请务必提前确定航班信息，及各目的地城市入境后不同的隔离规定。如果是人道主义性质的旅行，要先联系当地政府，确定你可以取得签证。如果先抵达香港，再前往中国大陆，在香港入境需要隔离，入关深圳/大陆后还需要再次隔离。

 

6.     What should I do if my visa is going to expire?

如果我的签证要过期了怎么办？

All permits were automatically extended for 60 days from 27th Feb 2020. But the 60-day automatic extension can only be used once. If the 60-day extension is expiring, then you must go to the Exit-Entry Department of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau to apply for another extension. If you have a 10-year visa with multi-entry and 60-day stay permit each time, you can go to the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau to apply for another 60-day extension. If you have a 30-day visa, it can only be extended for 30 days. 

Since the current visa situation is unprecedented, as it was caused by the global pandemic, there is no regulation available. All decisions depend on the latest developments in the pandemic.

自2月27日起，所有居留许可会自动延期60天。但60天延期只能有一次。60天延期到期前需前往深圳公安局出入境部门申请新的延期许可。如果持有10年多次往返，每次停留60天的签证，在到期前可去出入境部门申请再延期60天，以此类推。如果你持有的是30天停留的签证，那么每次只能延期30天。

由于历史上从没发生过像今年这样的特殊情况，所以目前没有相关的法规/政策。所有决定都要视疫情的具体发展情况而定。

 

7.     Cross-border travel between Hong Kong and Mainland China

关于香港和大陆之间的通行

The Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities have continuously been in communication since the current situation arose. Currently, crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen requires quarantine, and will any changes be jointly determined by the Centre for Disease Control of both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Discussions about ‘cross-border students’, who live in Shenzhen and study in Hong Kong, and important business travel between the two locations are taking place, but all decisions need to be made gradually. Chinese citizens and foreign citizens will be treated equally.

关于香港和大陆之间的通行,香港与深圳当局一直在进行沟通。但目前入境香港和深圳都需要隔离。何时取消隔离取决于深圳和香港疾控中心的意见。最近有关于开放两地学童和因重要商务往返两地需求的讨论。但所有决策都需要循序渐进的进行。中国公民与外国公民会被同等对待。

 

Disclaimer: The above information is based on notes of a meeting with the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Foreign Visa Department and the Nanshan District Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Departmenton 22nd May to give guidance to European Chamber members. It is not meant as legal advice. The steps and requirements listed above need to be confirmed by the authority in charge of the visa application.

For more information please contact

Bruce Ding

Eileen Huang