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Q: What are the new laws on visa's?
Hi i was just wondering if any body has any information on the new visa rules? more facts then hear say would be good ( i know it might be hard for most of us to get any real information)
For example i have been told that from July anybody that leaves china then returns must re-registry with the PBS with in 24 hour, I know that you must registry when you first arrive in china but the new states that if you leave China to go to Hong Kong every time you re-enter china you must go back to the PBS, and they will enforce this rule so if you go cross the border 5 times a week you must go to the PBS 5 times a week, the penalty for not doing so ranges from 5k-20 k fine and 5 - 20 days in jail,
How ever i asked the helpful staff in the HR dept to call the PBS/Police to check to see if this is the case as i am going across the border a few time a week they PBS said that they do not have the time to do this for every foreigner crossing back into the border and as long as you have been registered once that should be fine.
I have also heard that the PBS will be increasing ( i have never been or seen any foreigner stopped and checked in my time here) spot checks on foreigners and making door to door calls on residential address to check visa and search and deport mission on all schools for illegal teachers,
Will the PBS be checking all schools/training centers? or just the illegal training centers? will the PBS check other business premises, office and such?
and what are the new penalty's for those who are caught with out the right visa?
also just noticed its PSB not PBS, must be because its friday and i really could do with a beer !! PUBS!!
10 years 45 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
I've heard similar stories actually but for now nobody actually knows for sure. I think it's strange how China's being all hush hush on the whole thing. If this is really going to turn into an enormous witch-hunt against foreigners they should really be publicizing the whole thing a bit more in advance. Typical China to bring out a new law and have everyone worried but then not provide any clear instructions or information.
The new laws have been publicised. When I get home, I shall use my laptop to post the laws etc.
1st of July is the date when they will start enforcing everything strictly. There will be no excuses either because they announce the laws last summer and announced a kind of amnesty to give all those working without a Z visa a chance to get one. After almost a year, there really are no excuses really.
The sad thing is that I know many people are being hired for jobs on false promises, and by agents and schools who don't give a monkey's about what trouble the foreigner has if they get caught.
TBF, an agent I know pointed out to me correctly that the Chinese Government often announce that laws etc are being changed and made stricter, and that they will clamp down only to actually do so for a short time prior to an important event. The Olympics in Beijing being an example.
In contrast to this, prior to the Shanghai Expo in 2010, they also announced that they would clamp down, and they actually did on this occasion, closing a lot of illegitimate schools and catching a lot of teachers to the point that Shanghai is now considered a no go area for unqualified and illegitimate teachers.
I know there has been a lot of conversation on everything to do with this on this board. My opinion is that the big cities, and the second tier cities will be enforced, such as Chengdu and Chongqing. The smaller ones will also be enforced but maybe not so strictly because many places are so far apart and ghostly that they should be lucky anyone agrees to go there and teach. I wouldn't for 5000rmb per month.
maxwell888:
Hi Carl,
if you could post the new laws that would be very helpful and thanks,
I was also wondering if this would just be a flash crack down,
I have heard through the very reliable and trusted , never wrong or exaggerated grape vine that a teacher with a Z visa got arrested for working illegally before his visa was issued, is that possible?
What if any penalty do the schools/agents incur?
I have been told by a number of schools/training centers that after July that is going to become very difficult for legal school's to get new Z visa for qualified teachers, and the process is going to be painfully slow.
What change in the law will make things difficult for legal schools and teachers to apply for new Z visa's,
I have seen a few jobs that are requiring a police back ground check, which i have no problem with but in some countries this can be done online but the schools are saying it has to be done in your home country or its not valid, is this true ?
US citizens must get the background check. UK citizens don't need to, although I think they should (I am British and I have mine from 2007). It helps if you have it.
The schools and agents get big penalties, unless they can bribe their way out of trouble. The teacher is the one who really gets in to trouble because they end up in the shit (prison or deported).
What a lot of it comes down to is whether the schools/centres pay their taxes and have their licences in order. If they have, it shouldn't be a problem. It's less of a problem if you have been here for a few years and have had a Z visa/residency permit before.
I forgot to add. It does take a while to get everything, and you shouldn't be working until you have the residency permit in your passport. I have known it to take three months.
I will ask who the **** wants to wait three months to come and work in China?
does any of this apply to other visa types than Z ?
CARLGODWIN1983:
It's mostly for those who are working illegally here. However, illegal residency is also being clamped down on.
A correction to the above is that changes need to be recorded within ten days, not 24 hrs. I reiterate CHANGES.
There is a third thing which is being clamped down on but I can't remember what it is.
maxwell888:
what is illegal residence? does this mean if you rent an apartment with out an residency permit you are illegal?
CARLGODWIN1983:
Your local PSB are required to be notified of your address where you are living. If you move, you have ten days to notify them of the change, but, wherever you live, the PSB must have it on file.
Of course, if you are illegal in the sense that your visas etc have expired, you will not be able to do this.
Well Scandinavian i have heard that getting an F visa or L visa is going to get even harder, if you have been issued a F or l visa before you will need to leave china to re apply again, i don't know if you would need to go back to home country, but a friend of mine applied for a business visa back in the UK with all the required letters, from his company in the UK and manufactures here in china and normally he would be granted 6 months visa this time they gave him a lengthy interview and only issued a 2 month visa,
I know of a lot of Americans that have been refused L & F visa's from the agent in HK because they have had to many in the past and i know some teachers that have had interviews and had tow write statement about what and where they have been in china before the pbs will grant the z visa because of the F L visa in their passports ,
CARL my first z visa was issued form the UK and took 3 months, the people i have spoke to said that after July it is going take a lot longer,
CARLGODWIN1983:
Well mate, if that is correct, sod coming to teach in China after next year. Tired of all this crap. One more year was my plan.
maxwell888:
Yeah i was going do a another few months then head out of here but after all the stories i am hearing i dont know what to do , i know that i really dont want to spend any time in chinese jail,
"going to jail" guessing that this is what they mean by harsher penalty's,
i know a few people that have been caught working on the wrong visa and its been a pretty low key affair they have been took to the police station made to sign statements ( which they admit to all blame and they dont blame the school/center) then they released pending further enquires, while the police keep their passports then they are given 8 days to get sort out the matters i guess pay the rent and bills and then forced to leave by plane,
Adding to this :
maxwell888:
Thanks ,Long but interesting read, i dont see any major changes from what is already the law, maybe its just the enforcement that will be the main difference?
i also noticed that working at other work units apart from the one you are assigned to will result in deportation and maybe jail, i thought that as long as you had written permission form your employer working part time some where was not much of a problem , if this is going to be enforced heavily this will make a lot of university jobs a lot less attractive, a lot of my friends work in uni's and make the money up by working part time at training centers.
Just got told today:
Even to renew a Z-Visa, you need a "Certificate of Good Conduct" from your home country....
maxwell888:
Hello Guilinraf, is that for all countries or just the USA?
GuilinRaf:
I do not know if it applies to other citizenships. I am the only foreign teacher in my school (US citizen).
t91camp:
Who told you that, some random Chinese person who insists they are right in order to save face or someone actually relevant to the law? These rumors are getting out of hand. Certificates of good conduct don't even mean anything, you can be a felon and get one of those as long as it's been a few years.
GuilinRaf:
I was told by the Dean of the Foreign Affairs Office at my school.
Kaiwen:
What do you mean exactly by renewing a 'Z' visa? For sure, you need it under current legislation for obtaining a new 'Z' visa but, if you mean annual renewing of the RP, you certainly don't in the province where I am located. There may be locally applied requirements though.
t91camp:
Ah yes, "local requirements", the bane of even the few very clear laws in China.
Just the US. UK citizens do not need it, and I guess that Australian and New Zealanders don't need it either considering we have similar systems.
Serious question:
Has ANYONE here, in all their years, known ANY foreign English teachers who was arrested or imprisoned for purely Visa-related problems?
*Not counting someone who we understand was deliberately running some Visa scam.. or these 'extradition' type of cases, deliberate false identities (on the run criminals types).
But a sincere foreign English teacher who's either made a mistake or has the wrong kind of F or L or Z etc?
I'm seriously asking (not rhetorical) because I have never heard of this happening to anyone for real.
Maybe you know someone?
maxwell888:
I have known a few teachers who have been caught and deported and 2 teachers that was just let of with as "fine" ,
when the teachers were deported they were arrested, kept in the police station in some bodys office signed a statement and the police kept their passports told the teachers that they have 7 days then they have to report back and they were given their passports marching orders,
But the new laws are going to much stricter and enforced heavily , if you get caught JAIL !!! then deportation no stay of grace, No IFS or BUTS or not understanding the law,So what happened in the past might not have any refernce to what will happen in the future
No. They have nearly always been deported.
I will tell you though, when I had an interview with the Futian Government in Shenzhen, they warned everyone there. They said that if they caught you working, you would spend five days in prison.
JayKnox:
I have heard of people being deported. Not many it seems but 3 stories I could think of and 1 I met.
But he wasn't like 'arrested and deported'. He had deliberately stayed in China after quitting a teaching job. I seem to recall it was a long time - 3 months or more and was told he had to leave. (not somehow arrested).
Somehow he returned to Canada for like 2 months and was back in China again.
maxwell888:
I think that China just records the passport number, no bio metrics and if you do get kicked out you can simply change your passport and get a new passport number and come back in to China,
I have no ideas if they will change this system any time soon.
I literally just renewed my residence permit (z visa) a week ago. No trouble, nothing new from the previous 2 years of renewing. In fact it was probably faster and less painful.
Are there any new rules really for people legally holding a z-visa/residence permit?
CARLGODWIN1983:
Law states that changes should be recorded at your local PSB within ten days. I did this and avoided trouble. No problems whatsoever.
Chapter 1. General Provisions
Article 1. This regulation is formulated in order to standardize the issuance and management of ordinary visas (hereinafter referred to as visas) and management of aliens’ entry and residence in China based on Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China.
Article 2. The relevant departments of the State Council should set up a coordination mechanism to enhance planning, coordination, and cooperation for service to and management of aliens.
The Ministry of Public Security should coordinate with the relevant departments of the State Council to establish a platform for service to and management of aliens to implement sharing of relevant information. People’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government may set up the coordination mechanism for alien service and management according to their needs, enhance information exchange, coordination, and cooperation to do a good job on service and management for aliens in the respective administration region.
Article 3. Departments of the State Council including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, etc. should publicize the exit-entry administration laws and regulations. Information that should be well-known by aliens should be publicized on departments’ websites and offices that receive applications.
Article 4. In accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, visa agencies and public security exit-entry administration agencies may collect aliens’ biometric information, such as fingerprints, when issuing visas and residence certificates. Visa agencies and public security exit-entry administration agencies should take measures to ensure the safety of the biometrics information collected.
Chapter 2. Visas
Section 1. Visa categories
Article 5. Visa types are categorized by foreigners’ purpose of entry. The Pinyin letter indicates the category. The Arabic numeral “1” indicates long-term, and “2” indicates temporary:
(1) C visa to train attendants, air crew members and seamen operating international services, and to their accompanying family members;
(2) D visa to aliens who are to reside permanently in China;
(3) F visa to aliens who are invited to China on a noncommercial exchange or visit for scientific-technological, education, cultural exchanges, health or sports activities.
(4) G visa to aliens passing through China;
(5) J-1 visa to resident foreign correspondents in China; J-2 visa to foreign correspondents who make short trip to China on reporting tasks.
(6) L visa to aliens who come to China for sight-seeing or come for sight-seeing in a group.
(7) M visa to aliens who come to China for business or commercial activities.
(8) Q1 visa to aliens who come to China for visiting Chinese citizen relatives, family members who have permanent residence in China, and to aliens who needs for living in China because of adoption; Q2 visa to aliens who come to China for a temporary visit to Chinese citizen or aliens who have permanent residence in China.
(9) R1 visa to alien high level talents and professionals in short supply who need to reside in China; R2 visa to alien high level talents and professionals in short supply who come to China for a visit.
(10) S visa to aliens who come to China to dealing with divorce, inheritance, adoption, other private affairs, or medical care
(11) X1 visa to aliens who come to China for long-term study or training; X2 visa to aliens who come to China for short-term study or training
(12) Z1 visa to aliens who come to China for employment over 90 days; Visa Z2 to aliens who come to China for employment shorter than 90 days.
The spouse, parents, children under 18 years old, and parents of spouse with J1, R1, R2, X1 or Z1 may apply derivative visa, which will be added “-Y” to the visa type.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Ministry of Public Security or the relevant departments of the State Council, can make additional annotations to an alien’s visa category depending on the alien’s purpose for entry.
Article 6. Aliens entering China with D visas should apply for a foreigner permanent resident permit at the provincial level PSB Exit-Entry Administration Bureau within 30 days of the entry.
Aliens with J1, Q1, R1, X1 or Z1 visas (hereinafter referred to as residence visas), should apply for the relevant foreign residence certificate at county-level PSB Exit-Entry Administration Bureau where they reside within 30 days of entry.
Aliens with C, F, G, J2, L, M, Q2, R2, S, X2 or Z2 visas (hereinafter referred to as stay visas) may only stay in China within the period allowed shown on the visa.
Section 2. Visa Issuance
Article 7. Before entering China, an alien shall apply for a visa from an overseas China Embassy, Consulate or visa agency entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as overseas visa agencies).
In the following circumstances, aliens may apply for port visas at port visa agencies entrusted by the Ministry of Public Security (hereinafter referred to as port visa agencies) at ports approved by the State Council to handle port visa applications:
(1) Emergency business or engineering repair in China on invitation.
(2) Emergency entry for rescue and disaster relief, visit patient in danger, funeral arrangements or other humanitarian reasons.
(3) Other situations requiring emergency entry, in which relevant authorities agree to issuance of a port visa and provide supporting evidence.
Travel agencies that organize inbound tourism may apply for group visitor L visas at port visa agencies in accordance with relevant provisions of the State.
Article 8. To apply for a visa, an alien shall fill in the visa application form, submit a valid passport or other international travel certificate issued by foreign government or international organization; submit a standardized photo, with documents relevant to the travel purpose, and and if required by the visa agency, a certificate of no criminal conviction and other materials.
An applicant shall personally sign the visa application form. For an alien with a civil disability or limited civil capacity, the form should be signed by a guardian.
Article 9. The relevant materials relevant to travel purpose, which should be provided as required in Article 8, include:
(1) A C visa application shall provide letter of guarantee issued by foreign transportation company or Invitation Letter issued by a related Chinese company.
(2) A D visa application shall provide Alien Permanent Resident Identity Confirmation Form issued by the Ministry of Public Security.
(3) An F visa application shall provide an invitation letter issued by a Chinese company or individual.
(4) A G visa application shall provide an airplane, vehicle, or boat ticket for a connecting trip to a destination in the next country (or region) with a confirmed date and seat.
(5) A J1 or J2 visa application shall follow the approval procedures and provide relevant application documents according to the relevant regulations of permanent offices of foreign news agencies and foreign journalist.
(6) An L visa application shall provide round-trip airplane, vehicle, orboat tickets, hotel reservations, and a travel itinerary. A tour group coming to China for travel should also provide an Invitation letter prepared by a travel agency.
(7) An M visa application shall provide an invitation letter issued by a Chinese business or trading partner.
(8) A Q1 visa application shall provide an invitation letter prepared by a family member and proof of relationship if entering China for purpose of family reunion; if coming for purposes of adoption, provide a power of attorney, etc. A Q2 visa application shall provide an invitation letter prepared by a Chinese citizen or alien who has permanent residence qualification.
(9) An R1 and R2 visa application shall obtain per regulations recognition of the applicant’s qualification as a high-level talent and as a professional in short supply, provided by a provincial-level relevant department of the people’s government.
(10) An S visa application shall provide required evidence showing that the applicant is coming to deal with divorce, inheritance, adoption or other private affairs.
(11) An X1 or X2 visa application shall provide an admission offer and related documents issued by a Chinese education or training organization.
(12) A Z1 or Z2 visa application shall provide the required work permit and related documents.
A derivative visa application shall provide proof of family relationship and the principal’s visa application documents.
Article 10. Visa agencies may verify aliens’ information through interview, telephone inquiries, etc. The alien and the company or individual who provides an invitation letter and other proof should be cooperative.
In the following circumstances, an alien should submit to an interview per visa agency requirements:
(1) if applying for a residence visa;
(2) if the applicant’s identity and the purpose of entry need to be verified;
(3) if the applicant has been refused entry previously, or has been required to depart within in a particular period of time; or
(4) if the visa agency believes it is necessary to have an interview.
Article 11. Qualified applicants will be issued the relevant visa by the visa agencies. For aliens who need to apply for a residence certificate or use a designated entry-exit port, their visa notation will show the period when they should apply for the residence certificate or the designated entry-exit port.
An alien who falls within the conditions in Article 21 of the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China will not be issued a visa by a visa agency. Visa agencies have the right not to disclose the reasons for refusal.
Chapter 3. Stay and Residence
Section 1. Visa Extension, Replacement, and Reissuance; Issuance of Stay Certificates
Article 12. An alien who enters China with an F, J2, M, Q2, R2, S, or X2 visa who need to extend the stay after visa expires shall apply to a local exit and entry administration authority in the public security organ of a local people’s government at or above the county level 7 days before the stay period of the visa expires.
An alien who enters China with a C, G, L or Z2 visa who needs to extend their stay after the visa expires due to humanitarian reasons or force majeure shall apply to a local exit and entry administration authority in the public security organ of a local people’s government.
Article 13. Aliens may apply to local exit and entry administration authorities in public security organs of local people’s governments for visa replacement under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Use of a new passport;
(2) The alien has entered China with an L group visa but need to leave the group to continue staying in China due to objective cause;
(3) Change the stay purpose according to the provisions of China;
(4) Readmission to China according to the provisions of China; or
(5) Qualification for other visa replacement.
Article 14. If a visa needs to be replaced, reissued due to damage, loss, theft or robbery, the alien shall submit an application at the exit and entry administration authority in a public security organ of a local people’s government at or above the county level.
Article 15. Aliens stay certificate applications should be submitted to public security organs of local people’s governments at or above the county level under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Aliens who are exempted from visa for entry need to stay in China beyond the visa-free period for reasonable cause. Aliens who enter China for diplomatic or business reasons have to follow the provisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(2) Foreign seamen and accompanying family members needing to leave the port city.
(3) Persons who have abandoned Chinese citizenship in China, but need to continue staying in China for unfinished matters.
(4) Aliens have completed their residence purpose but need to continue staying in China due to humanitarian reasons.
(5) Aliens forced to apply for alien stay certificate in order to complete a criminal sentence, aliens ordered to depart in a certain period, or aliens who have been ordered deported.
The validity period of the stay certificate will be based on the purpose of stay; however, it will not exceed 180 days.
Article 16. Aliens shall submit their visa extension, replacement, reissuance or stay certificate application to the exit-entry administration authority in a public security organ where they stay by filling in the application form, providing a valid passport or other international travel document, a qualified photo and other documents relevant to their application purpose.
A relative, company or individual providing an invitation, exit-entry intermediary agency may apply on aliens’ behalf under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The alien is under 16 years old or at the age of 60
(2) The alien has limited mobility due to illness.
(3) It is not the alien’s first time entering China, and the alien has a good with good stay and residence record in China.
(4) A case where the work unit providing the invitation guarantees payment of all expenses to an alien for the period of time within China.
Article 17. After preliminary examination, the Public Security Bureau exit-entry administration shall accept qualified applications for visa extension, replacement, reissuance and stay certificate, and issue an acceptance notice. The acceptance notice will be valid not more than 7 days. Aliens whose passport or other international travel documents are held by the exit-administration bureau mayrealy on the acceptance notice to legally stay in China.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs shall notify aliens about the application procedures and the correct application documents if their application materials for visa extension, replacement, reissuance and the stay certificate are not qualified.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs shall make the decision whether to approve aliens’ visa extension, replacement, reissuance or stay certificates within 7 days after accepting the application.
Article 18. To extend, replace or reissue an ordinary visa, or apply for stay certificate, the aliens shall submit the required invitation letter or document from the related company or individual to exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs should verify the truthfulness of an alien’s stated application purpose through interview, phone calls or field investigation. The alien and the company or individual who provides the invitation letter or other documents should be cooperative.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs may require the alien, the company or individual who provides the invitation letter or other documents to submit evidence that payment of the alien’s expenses during the period of stay in China will be guaranteed .
Article 19. The decision of exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs to extend the visa stay period, is only effective for this admittance to China. It does not affect the number of authorized entries or the entry validity period.
Article 20. An alien’s application for visa extension, replacement, reissuance or for a stay certificate, and issuance of the acceptance notice won’t be approved under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Inability to provide required evidence for visa extension, replacement, reissuance applications.
(2) Misrepresentation in the application.
(3) Violation of related China laws or administrative regulations; unsuitability for staying in China.
(4) Issuance authorities believe there is reason not to approve.
Section 2. Issuance of Residence Certificate
Article 21. Residence certificates are divided into the following categories, identified by Chinese characters, based on aliens’ residence visa type and residence purpose:
(1) Residence certificate for talents, issued for alien high-level talents and professionals in short supply who reside in China.
(2) Residence certificate for employment, issued for aliens who will work in China for over 90 days.
(3) Residence certificate for study, issued for aliens who will study in China for over 180 days.
(4) Residence certificate for journalist, issued for alien journalists who reside in China.
(5) Residence certificate for family reunion, issued for aliens who come to China for reunion with Chinese citizen relatives or family members. who have permanent residence in China, and to aliens who need to live in China because of adoption.
(6) Residence certificate for derivative famly members, issued for spouse, parents, children under 18 years old, and parents of spouse of the aliens who reside in China.
(7) Other residence certificates, issued for aliens who need to reside in China due to humanitarian reasons, etc.
Article 22. Aliens shall submit their resident certificate application to exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs where they reside by filling in the application forms, providing a valid passport or other international travel document, a qualified photo and other documents relevant to the application’s purpose.
An alien age 16 or older who applies for a residence certificate valid for one year or more must provide a health certificate.
Article 23. Other documents that may be required as relevant to the purpose of an application, as mentioned in Article 22, include:
(1) Residence certificate for talents: provide the alien’s R1 or R2 visa, or documentation of recognition of qualification as a high-level talent and professional in short supply issued by relevant administration authorities of the people’s government at or above the provincial level.
(2) Residence certificate for employment: provide the required work permit, copy of employer’s registration certificate and a letter from the employer, unless the employer is exempt from providing these documents under national provisions.
(3) Residence certificate for study: provide admission offer and related documents by a Chinese education or training organization.
(4) Residence certificate for journalist: provide the letter and press card issued by relevant administration authorities.
(5) Residence certificate for family reunion: aliens who come to reside in China for family reunion shall provide documents to prove the relationship between family members and documents relevant to the purpose of the application. Aliens who come to reside in China for adoption shall provide a power of attorney, etc.
(6) Residence certificate for derivative family members: provide proof of kinship with the principal, the principal’s passport or other international travel document, and principal’s residence certificate or residence certificate application acceptance notice.
(7) Other residence certificate: provide documentation related to the humanitarian reasons, etc.
Article 24. To extend one’s residence period, an alien in China shall submit an application at exit and entry administration authorities in public security organs of local people’s governments at or above the county level 30 days before validity period of the residence certificate expires.
Article 25. To replace the residence certificate due to a change in one’s residence purpose or other reasonable cause, an aliens in China shall submit an application at exit and entry administration authorities in public security organs of local people’s governments at or above the county level.
Article 26. If the residence certificate of an alien needs to be reissued due to damage, loss, theft or robbery, the alien shall submit an application at exit and entry administration authorities in public security organs of local people’s governments at or above the county level.
Article 27. To extend, replace or reissue the residence certificate, aliens shall submit the application to exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs where they reside by filling in the application forms, providing a valid passport or other international travel document, a qualified photo and the relevant documents.
Article 28. To extend, replace or reissue the residence certificate, the aliens’ relative, a company or individual providing an invitation, or an exit-entry intermediary agency may apply on behalf of any of the following individuals:
(1) An alien under 16 years old or over age 60.
(2) An alien whose mobility is limited due to illness.
(3) It is not the alien’s first time entering China, and the alien has a good with good stay and residence record in China.
(4) A case where relevant departments of the state council or people’s government at the provincial level provides the invitation letter or other documents.
(5) A case where the work unit providing the invitation has guaranteed payment of the alien’s expenses during the period of stay in China.
Article 29. After preliminary examination, the exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs shall accept a qualified residence certificate application for extension, replacement, reissuance, and issue the acceptance notice. The acceptance notice will be valid not over than 15 days. Aliens whose passport or other international travel documents are held by the exit-entry administration authority may rely on the acceptance notice to legally reside in China.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs shall notify aliens about the application procedures and the correct application documents if their residence certificate application materials for extension, replacement or reissuance are not qualified.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs shall make the decision whether to approve aliens’ residence certificate application for extension, replacement, reissuance within 15 days after accept the application.
Article 30. To extend, replace or reissue the residence certificate, aliens shall submit the required invitation letter or document from the related company or individual to exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs may verify the truthfulness of aliens’ application purpose through interview, phone calls or field investigation. Alien, the company or individual who provides the invitation letter or other documents should be cooperative.
The exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs may require the alien, the company or individual who provides the invitation letter or other documents to submit a guarantee of payment of the alien’s expenses for the period in China.
Article 31. An alien with a residence certificate for study who needs to take a part-time job or internship outside campus shall obtain approval from the education or training organization, then apply to the exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs to add the notation of taking a part-time job or the location and period of internship outside campus on the residence certificate.
An alien with a residence certificate for study whose resdience certificate does not have the above-mentioned notation is not allowed to take a part-time job or internship outside campus.
Article 32. The shortest validity period of a residence certificate for employment is 90 days; the longest is 5 years. The shortest validity period of a non-employment residence certificate is 180 days; the longest is 5 years.
The specific validity period of the residence certificate will be determined based on the alien’s application purpose and activities in China.
Article 33. Aliens who fall within the circumstances of Article 21 or 31 of Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, are ineligible for the issuance of a residence certificate or its extension, replacement or reissuance from the exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs .
Section 3. Management of Stay and Residence
Article 34. When the people’s police of the public security organs are carrying out official business, they may check and verify aliens’ passport or other international travel document or stay or residence certificate according to regulations.
The people’s police of the public security organs shall show their work certificate as proof of identity when checking and verifying aliens’ documentation.
Article 35. If aliens stay in hotels in China, the hotels shall register their accommodation according to public security management provisions for hotels and report accommodation registration information of the aliens to local public security organs with 24 hours.
If alien lives or resides in a domicile other than a hotel, the alien personally or the person putting up the alien shall register at local public security organs within 24 hours after taking up residence. If the alien lives or resides in a mobile vehicle, the organization or individual putting up the alien shall report to local public security organs within 24 hours in advance.
An alien possessing a residence certificate that clearly shows his or her residence address need not repeatedly register that accommodation. If staying at a place other than the address shown on the residence certificate, the alien shall register that temporary address.
Article 36. For a foreign infant born in China, the parents or an agent shall register the infan t’s stay or residence according to Article 40 of Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China.
The parents or agent of the foreign infant shall apply for the stay or residence certificate for the infant within 60 days after register for the stay or residence, except the ones that who are unable to get their passport or other international travel documents due to force majeure factors.
Article 37. If any alien dies in China, his or her family members, guardian or agent shall, within 10 days of receiving the death certificate, should take the death certificate as well as the alien’s passport or other international travel document to the exit and entry administration authorities in public security organs of local people’s governments at or above the county level that issued the stay or residence certificate or with jurisdiction over the place of death, in order to report the death and cancel the alien’s stay or residence certificate.
Article 38. The following aliens should stay within restricted areas:
(1) Aliens approved for a temporary entry to stay at the restricted areas by the exit-entry frontier inspection organs; and
(2) Aliens with an exit-entry document clearly indicating an area within which to stay.
Article 39. In the following circumstances, and alien will be deemed to be residing illegally:
(1) An alien staying or residing beyond the period permitted by the visa or stay or residence certificate;
(2) An alien who admitted without a visa who has remained in China beyond the visa- free period and fails to apply for a stay or residence certificate;
(3) An alien who moves beyond any area to which his or her stay is restricted.
(4) Other illegal residence behaviors.
Article 40. In the following circumstances, an alien will be deemed to be illegally employed:
(1) Working in China without a valid work permit and work residence certificate, unless exempted by regulation;
(2) Working outside of the geographic area to which one’s work permit is restricted;
(3) Not working at the work unit to which one’s work permit is restricted;
(4) Overseas students working in China beyond the scope of the position or time peirod authorized.
(5) A Z2 visa holder working beyond the scope approved by the managing department.
Article 41. If the alien, without a valid work permit and work residence certificate, has a de facto labor relationship with a work unit, even if no labor contract has been signed, it will be deemed illegal employment.
The above-mentioned determination of whether there has been illegal employment will not be affected by whether or not has already received remuneration for work.
Article 42. The following circumstances should be promptly reported to local exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs by a work unit employing a foreigner or sponsoring a foreign student:
(1) An alien’s work unit or location changes, or the alien’s employment ends;
(2) A foreign student graduates, finishes a course, drops out, or leaves the school;
(3) The employed alien or foreign student violates the exit-entry regulations; or
(4) The employed alien or foreign student dies or has a significant accident.
Article 43. If a relevant work unit needs to verify an alien’s identity, they shall apply to the exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs . When the exit-entry administration authorities in public security organs and their staff provide verification information, they shall protect the confidentiality of aliens’ private information.
Chapter 4. Investigation, Repatriation, and Penalties
Article 44. When a decision is made to detain and investigate an alien, authorities shall issue a written decision and deliverit to the alien, and send the alien to a detention center or repatriation center within 24 hours.
Once the investigation for the detained aliens is complete, or they should not be detained after the investigation, shall be released from the investigation immediately, and issue a written notice of removal detention and then deliver it to the released aliens; For the aliens who need further administrative detention, shall be transferred to the detention centers.
Article 45. If an alien’s scope of activities is restricted, written notice of the restriction should be provided to the alien. Such an alien shall report to public security within a designated period. Unless approved by authorities, such an alien shall not change his or her place of residence or leave the designated area.
Article 46. Authorities who make deportation decisions shall determine period during which a deported alien may not be readmitted to the country.
Article 47. If deportation or expulsion cannot be carried out immediately due to the weather, transportation schedules, a person’s health status, other force majeure, or due to the alien’s nationality or identity being unknown, the alien shall to be sent to a repatriation center or detention centers, based on the relevant legal documents, until the completion of deportation or expulsion.
The public security organs may establish repatriation centers based on their actual needs. Aliens who have been detained in the repatriation centers shall be repatriated or deported by presenting relevant legal documents and the stay certificates.
Article 48. An alien is responsible to pay the costs related to his or her deportation. If the alien is unable to afford the expenses and engaged in illegal employment, the work unit or individual employing the alien is responsible. In other circumstances, the work unit or individual that has made a guarantee is responsible for paying expenses related to the alien’s residence in China.
Article 49. The issuing authority shall declare invalid a visa, stay or residence certificate, etc., under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Damage, loss, or theft;
(2) An alien who is ordered deported or to depart within a specified period, but his or her visa or residence or stay certificate is not yet seized or canceled;
(3) The initial purpose of the alien’s residence has been terminated early, but the alien has not reported this to public security authorities within the required period; or
(4) The aliens falls within the circumstances of the Article 21 or 31 of the Exit and Entry Administrative Law of the People’s Republic of China.
The issuing authority may, according to the law declaring invalid a visa or stay or residence permit, etc. It may be declared invalid on the spot, revoked, or confiscated. If it cannot be declared invalid on the spot, it can be done by announcement.
Article 50. The aliens’ visa or stay or residence certificate may be cancelled or confiscated under any of the following circumstances:
(1) it is declared invalid;
(2) it is forged or altered;
(3) it was obtained falsely or through other illegal means;
(4) it was falsely used by others; or
(5) the alien is ordered deported or to ordered to depart within a specified period.
The authorities who make decision of cancellation or confiscation shall promptly notify the authority that issued the certificate.
Article 51. If an alien applying for a visa, residence or stay certificate or other extension, replacement, or reissuance violates this regulation by providing false documentation, he or she will be penalized in accordance with Article 74 of the Exit and Entry Administrative Law of the People’s Republic of China.
Article 52. An alien who uses a forged or altered exit-entry certificate to prove his or her status, will be warned and/or penaltized not more than 2,000 renminbi.
Article 53. A time limit not longer than 30 days shall be set when an alien is ordered to depart the country.
Article 54. The administrative penalties stated in this chapter shall be decided by the county-level public security organs of local people’s government or the exit- entry frontier inspection organization. A warning or penalty under 2,000 renminbi can be decided by the county-level public security organs of local people’s government.
Chapter 5. Supplementary Provisions
Article 55. The following definitions apply to terms used in these regulations:
Number of entries for a visa means the number of times a visa holder can enter the country during the visa’s validity period.
The validity period of the visa means the period it is valid for the visa holder to enter the country with the visa. The visa is effective from the issuance date, unless indicated by the issuing authority, and expires at 2400 hours Beijing time on the expiration date.
Duration of stay of the visa means the permitted period that the visa hold can stay after each entry and is calculated from the second day after entry.
Long term or residence means residing in China for more than 180 days.
Short term means staying in China for fewer than or equal to 180 days.
Family members include a spouse, parent, child, sibling, paternal grandparent, maternal grandparent, grandchild, and parent-in-law.
Article 56. The Chinese government and foreign governments should sign and implement agreements regarding the handling and examine of visas, visa application fees, etc.
Article 57. For aliens who reside near China’s land borders, if there is an agreement signed between China and the bordering country, that treaty’s provisions will apply to entering and entering China as well as stay and residence. If there is no such treaty, Chinese government regulations will apply.
Article 58. If approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a visa office that is stationed abroad can delegate to local relevant organs responsibility for service work such as visa application acceptance, data input, consultation, etc..
Article 59. The management of issuing diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, official visas and stay or residence certificates for diplomatic or official affairs for aliens shall be executed according to the regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 60. The format for visas shall be formulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Ministry of Public Security. The format for stay and residence certificates shall be formulated by the Ministry of Public Security.
Article 61. This regulation will be effective on (mm-dd-yyyy). The former Rules Governing the Implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Aliens will be abolished at the same time.
第一章 总 则
第一条 为了规范普通签证（以下简称签证）的签发管理和外国人在中国境内的停 留居留管理，根据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》，制定本条例。
第二条 国务院有关部门应当建立外国人服务与管理工作协调机制，加强外国人服 务与管理工作的统筹、协调与配合。
公安部应当会同国务院有关部门建立外国人服务与管理信息共享平台，实现有关信 息的共享。
省、自治区、直辖市人民政府，可以根据需要建立外国人服务与管理工作协调机 制，加强信息交流和协调配合，做好本行政区域内的外国人服务与管理工 作。
第三条 外交部、公安部等国务院部门应当做好出境入境管理法律法规的宣传、普 及工作。对需要外国人周知的事项，应当在部门门户网站、受理申请的场所公示。
第四条 根据外交部、公安部的规定，签证机关、公安机关出入境管理机构在签证 和停留居留证件签发管理中可以留存外国人指纹等人体生物识别信息。
签证机关、公安机关出入境管理机构应当采取措施确保留存的指纹等人体生物识别 信息的安全。
第二章 签证
第一节 签证的类别
第五条 根据外国人申请入境的事由，签证分为以下类别，并以汉语拼音字母表示 类别，以阿拉伯数字1表示长期、2表示短期：
（一）C字签证，发给入境从事跨境运输活动的外国航空器机组人员、列车乘务 员、汽车驾驶员、船舶船员及随行的船员家属。
（二）D字签证，发给来中国永久居留的人员。
（三）F字签证，发给入境从事科学、教育、文化、卫生、体育等非商业性交流、 访问活动的人员。
（四）G字签证，发给经中国过境的人员。
（五）J1字签证，发给境外常驻中国新闻机构的外国常驻记者；J2字签证，发给来 中国进行短期采访报道的外国记者。
（六）L字签证，发给入境旅游观光的人员，以团体形式入境旅游的，可以签发团 体L字签证。
（七）M字签证，发给入境进行商业、贸易活动的人员。
（八）Q1字签证，发给因家庭团聚申请入境居留的中国公民、具有永久居留资格的 外国人的家庭成员，以及因寄养等原因需要在中国境内居留的人 员；Q2字签证， 发给申请入境短期探望居住在中国境内的中国公民、具有永久居留资格的外国人的 人员。
（九）R1字签证，发给需要在中国境内居留的外国高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人 才；R2字签证，发给需要在中国境内停留的外国高层次人才和急需紧缺 专门人才。
（十）S字签证，发给入境处理婚姻、继承、收养等私人事务或者接受医疗服务的 人员。
（十一）X1字签证，发给申请在中国境内的教育、培训机构长期学习的人员；X2字 签证，发给申请在中国境内的教育、培训机构短期学习的人员。
（十二）Z1字签证，发给申请在中国境内工作超过90天的人员；Z2字签证，发给申 请在中国境内工作不超过90天的人员。
J1字、R1字、R2、X1字、Z1字签证申请人的配偶、父母、未满18周岁的子女、配偶 的父母可申请依附签证，以在主申请人签证类别字母后加注 “-Y”形式表示。
外交部可以会同公安部等国务院有关部门，根据外国人申请入境的事由，对前款规 定的签证类别作具体标识。
第六条 持D字签证入境的外国人，应当自入境之日起30日内到受理其申请的设区的 市级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构办理外国人永久居留证件。
J1字、Q1字、R1字、X1字、Z1字签证（以下统称居留类签证）的持证人，应当自入 境之日起30日内向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关 出入境管理机构申请 办理相应种类外国人居留证件。
C字、F字、G字、J2字、L字、M字、Q2字、R2字、S字、X2、Z2字签证（以下统称停 留类签证）的持证人，凭签证并按照签证注明的停留期 限在中国境内停留。
第二节 签证的签发
第七条 外国人应当在入境前向中华人民共和国驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的 其他驻外机构（以下称驻外签证机关）申请办理签证。
外国人具有下列情形之一的，可以在国务院批准办理口岸签证业务的口岸，向公安 部委托的口岸签证机关（以下简称口岸签证机关）申请办理口岸签证：
（一）应邀入境从事紧急商务、工程抢修等活动的；
（二）因抢险救灾、探望危急病人、处理丧事以及其他人道原因需要紧急入境的；
（三）因其他紧急事由需要入境并持有有关主管部门同意在口岸申办签证的证明材 料的。
旅行社按照国家有关规定组织入境旅游的，可以向口岸签证机关申请办理团体L字 签证。
第八条 外国人申请签证，应当填写签证申请表，提交中国政府承认的外国政府或 者国际组织颁发的有效护照和其他国际旅行证件；提交符合规定的照片、与申请事 由相关的 材料，以及签证机关要求外国人提供的无犯罪记录证明等材料。
签证申请表应当由本人签字，无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人应当由其 监护人代为签字。
第九条 本条例第八条规定的与申请事由相关的材料，主要是指：
（一）申请C字签证，应当提供外国运输公司出具的担保函或者中国境内有关单位 出具的邀请函件。
（二）申请D字签证，应当提交公安部签发的《外国人永久居留身份确认表》。
（三）申请F字签证，应当提供中国境内的单位或者个人出具的邀请函件。
（四）申请G字签证，应当提供前往国家（地区）的已确定日期、座位的联程机 （车、船）票。
（五）申请J1字及J2字签证，应当根据外国常驻新闻机构和外国记者采访的有关规 定履行审批手续并提供相应申请材料。
（六）申请L字签证，应当按照要求提交往返机（车、船）票、酒店订单、旅行计 划行程安排，以团组形式入境旅游的，还应当提供旅行社邀请函件。
（七）申请M字签证，应当提供中国境内商业、贸易合作方出具的邀请函件。
（八）申请Q1字签证，因家庭团聚申请入境的，应当提供家庭成员出具的邀请函件 及家庭成员关系证明，因寄养等原因申请入境的，应当提交委托书等证 明材料； 申请Q2字签证，应当提供居住在中国境内的中国公民、具有永久居留资格的外国人 出具的邀请函件。
（九）申请R1字及R2字签证，应当按照规定取得中国省级以上人民政府有关主管部 门高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人才资格认可，并提交相应证明材料。
（十）申请S字签证，应当按照规定提交入境处理婚姻、继承、收养等私人事务所 需的证明材料。
（十一）申请X1字及X2字签证，应当按照规定提交中国境内教育、培训机构出具的 录取通知书等证明材料。
（十二）申请Z1字及Z2字签证，应当按照规定提交工作许可证明材料。
申请依附签证，应当按照规定提供亲属关系证明以及主申请人申请相关签证的证明 等材料。
第十条 签证机关可以通过面谈、电话询问等方式核实外国申请人相关信息，外国 申请人以及出具邀请函件、证明材料的单位或者个人应当予以配合。
外国人具有下列情形之一的，应当按照签证机关要求接受面谈：
（一）申请居留类签证的；
（二）个人身份信息、入境事由需要进一步核实的；
（三）曾有不准入境、被限期出境记录的；
（四）签证机关认为有必要进行面谈的其他情形。
第十一条 签证机关经审查认为符合签发条件的，签发相应类别签证。对于入境后 需要办理居留证件以及限定入境出境口岸的，签证机关应当在签证上注明入境后办 理居留证件 的时限、指定的入境出境口岸。
外国人具有《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第二十一条规定的情形之一的，签证 机关不予签发签证。对不予签发签证的，签证机关可以不说明理由。
第三章 停留居留
第一节 签证延期、换发、补发和停留证件的签发
第十二条 持F字、J2字、M字、Q2字、R2字、S字、X2字签证入境的外国人，需要在 签证停留期限届满后继续停留的，可以在签证注明的停留期限届满7日前向停留 地 县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请延长停留期限。
持 C字、G字、L字、Z2字签证入境的外国人，因人道、不可抗力原因需要在签证停 留期限届满后继续停留的，可以向停留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境 管理机构申请延长停留期限。
第十三条 在中国境内的外国人具有以下情形之一的，可以向停留地县级以上地方 人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请换发签证：
（一）使用新护照的；
（二）持团体L字签证入境后因客观原因需要分团停留的；
（三）按照国家规定可以变更停留事由的；
（四）按照国家规定给予再入境便利的；
（五）符合国家规定的其他换发情形。
第十四条 在中国境内的外国人，所持签证遗失、损毁、被盗抢的，应当及时向停 留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请补发签证。
第十五条 在中国境内的外国人具有以下情形之一的，应当向停留地县级以上地方 人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理停留证件：
（一）免办签证入境的外国人，因合理事由需要超过规定的停留期限继续停留的， 但是因外交、公务事由免办签证入境的，按照外交部的规定执行；
（二）外国船员及其随行家属需要离开船舶停靠的港口所在城市的；
（三）在中国境内退出中国国籍，有未尽事宜办理需要在中国境内停留的；
（四）外国人居留事由终止因人道原因需要继续在中国境内停留的；
（五）因刑罚执行完毕、被限期出境、遣送出境等原因需要强制办理外国人停留证 件的。
停留证件的有效期视停留事由确定，最长不得超过180日。
第十六条 申请签证的延期、换发、补发和停留证件，应当填写申请表，提交有效 护照或者其他国际旅行证件、符合规定的照片和与申请事由相关的材料，由本人到 停留地公安 机关出入境管理机构办理相关手续。
具有以下情形之一的，可以由申请人的亲属、邀请单位或者个人、出入境中介机构 代为申请：
（一）未满16周岁或者年满60周岁的；
（二）因疾病等原因行动不便的；
（三）非首次入境且在中国境内停留居留记录良好的；
（四）邀请单位对外国人在中国境内期间所需费用提供担保的。
第十七条 经初步审查，申请签证延期、换发、补发和停留证件符合受理规定的， 公安机关出入境管理机构应当受理，并出具受理回执。受理回执有效期不得超过7 日。申请人 所持护照或者其他国际旅行证件被收存的，可以凭受理回执在中国境 内合法停留。
外国人申请签证延期、换发、补发和停留证件的手续或者材料不符合规定的，公安 机关出入境管理机构应当一次性告知申请人需要履行的手续和补正的申请 材料。
公安机关出入境管理机构受理外国人签证延期、换发、补发和停留证件的申请，应 当在受理后7日内作出是否签发的决定。
第十八条 外国人申请普通签证的延期、换发、补发和停留证件，需要出具有关单 位、个人的邀请函件或者证明材料的，申请人应当按照公安机关出入境管理机构的 要求提供。
公安机关出入境管理机构可以通过面谈、电话询问、实地调查等方式核实申请事由 的真实性，申请人以及出具邀请函件、证明材料的单位或者个人应当予以 配合。
公安机关出入境管理机构可以要求申请人或者出具邀请函件、证明材料的单位、个 人提供外国人在中国境内期间所需费用的担保证明。
第十九条 公安机关出入境管理机构作出延长签证停留期限的决定，仅对本次入境 有效，不影响签证的入境次数和入境有效期。
第二十条 外国人有下列情形之一的，不予批准签证的延期、换发、补发，不予签 发停留证件：
（一）不能提供申请延期、换发、补发所需证明材料的；
（二）在申请过程中弄虚作假的；
（三）违反中国有关法律、行政法规，不适合在中国境内停留的；
（四）签发机关认为不宜批准或者签发的其他情形。
第二节 居留证件的签发
第二十一条 根据外国人所持居留类签证的类别、居留事由，居留证件分为以下类 别，并以相应汉字进行标识：
（一）人才类居留证件，发给在中国境内居留的高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人才；
（二）工作类居留证件，发给在中国境内工作90日以上的人员；
（三）学习类居留证件，发给在中国境内学习180日以上的人员；
（四）记者类居留证件，发给在中国境内常驻的记者；
（五）团聚类居留证件，发给因家庭团聚需要在中国境内居留的中国公民、具有永 久居留资格的外国人的家庭成员，以及因寄养等原因需要在中国境内居留 的人员；
（六）依附类居留证件，发给在中国境内居留的外国人的配偶、父母、未满18周岁 的子女和配偶的父母；
（七）其他类居留证件，发给因人道等原因需要在中国境内居留的人员。
第二十二条 外国人申请居留证件，应当填写申请表，提交有效护照或者其他国际 旅行证件、符合规定的照片和与申请事由相关的材料，由本人到居留地公安机关出 入境管理机构 办理相关手续。
年满16周岁的外国人首次申请有效期1年以上的居留证件，应当提供身体健康证明。
第二十三条 本条例第二十二条规定的与申请事由相关的材料，主要是指：
（一）人才类居留证件，应当提供本人R1字、R2字签证或者按照规定提供中国省级 以上人民政府有关主管部门高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人才资格认可 证明材料。
（二）工作类居留证件，应当提供工作许可证件、聘用单位注册登记证件副本和公 函等材料，但按照国家规定免予提供的除外。
（三）学习类居留证件，应当按照规定提供中国境内教育、培训机构出具的录取通 知书等证明材料。
（四）记者类居留证件，应当提供有关主管部门公函和核发的记者证等证明材料。
（五）探亲类居留证件，因家庭团聚需要在中国境内居留的，应当提供家庭成员关 系证明和与申请事由相关的证明材料；因寄养等原因需要在中国境内居留 的，应 当提供委托书等证明材料。
（六）依附类居留证件，应当提供与主申请人的亲属关系证明、主申请人护照或者 其他国际旅行证件、主申请人的居留证件或者居留证件申请回执等材料。
（七）其他类居留证件，应当提供与人道等事由相关的证明材料。
第二十四条 外国人申请延长居留期限的，应当在居留证件有效期限届满30日前向 居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构提出申请。
第二十五条 外国人需要变更居留事由或者因其他合理原因需要换发居留证件的， 可以向居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请换发居留证件。
第二十六条 外国人所持居留证件遗失、损毁、被盗抢的，应当及时向居留地县级 以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请补发居留证件。
第二十七条 外国人申请居留证件延期、换发、补发，应当填写申请表，提交有效 护照或者其他国际旅行证件、符合规定的照片和与延期、换发、补发情形相关的材 料，到居留地 公安机关出入境管理机构办理相关手续。
第二十八条 外国人申请居留证件及其延期、换发、补发，具有下列情形之一的， 可以由申请人的亲属、邀请单位或者个人、出入境中介机构代为申请：
（一）未满16周岁或者年满60周岁的；
（二）因疾病等原因行动不便的；
（三）非首次入境且在中国境内停留居留记录良好的；
（四）国务院有关主管部门或者省级人民政府出具邀请函件、证明材料的；
（五）邀请单位对外国人在中国境内期间所需费用提供担保的。
第二十九条 经初步审查，申请外国人居留证件及其延期、换发、补发符合受理规 定的，公安机关出入境管理机构应当受理，并出具受理回执。受理回执有效期不得 超过15日。 申请人所持护照或者其他国际旅行证件被收存的，可以凭受理回执在 中国境内合法居留。
外国人申请居留证件及其延期、换发、补发的手续不符合规定的，公安机关出入境 管理机构应当一次性告知申请人需要履行的手续和补正的申请材料。
公安机关出入境管理机构受理外国人居留证件及其延期、换发、补发的申请，应当 在受理后15日内作出是否签发的决定。
第三十条 外国人申请居留证件及其延期、换发、补发，需要出具有关单位、个人 的邀请函件或者证明材料的，申请人应当按照公安机关出入境管理机构的要求提供。
公安机关出入境管理机构可以通过面谈、电话询问、实地调查等方式核实申请事由 的真实性，申请人以及出具邀请函件、证明材料的单位或者个人应当予以 配合。
公安机关出入境管理机构可以要求申请人或者出具邀请函件、证明材料的单位、个 人提供外国人在中国境内期间所需费用的担保证明。
第三十一条 持学习类居留证件的外国人需要勤工助学或者在校外实习的，应当经 所在教育、培训机构同意后，向公安机关出入境管理机构申请居留证件加注勤工助 学或者校外实 习地点、期限等信息。
持学习类居留证件的外国人所持居留证件未加注前款规定信息的，不得进行勤工助 学或者校外实习。
第三十二条 工作类居留证件的有效期最短为90日，最长为5年；非工作类居留证件 的有效期最短为180日，最长为5年。
居留证件的具体有效期应当根据申请人的申请事由、在境内活动情况等因素确定。
第三十三条 外国人具有《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第二十一条、第三十一 条规定的情形的，公安机关出入境管理机构不予签发居留证件或者不予延期、换 发、补发。
第三节 停留居留管理
第三十四条 公安机关的人民警察在执行公务时，可以依法查验外国人的护照、其 他国际旅行证件或者外国人停留居留证件。
公安机关的人民警察在查验外国人证件时，应当出示工作证件表明人民警察身份。
第三十五条 外国人在旅馆住宿的，旅馆应当按照旅馆业治安管理的有关规定为其 办理住宿登记，并在24小时内将登记住宿的外国人信息报送当地公安机关。
外国人在旅馆以外场所住宿的，应当在入住后24小时内由本人或者留宿人向居住地 公安派出所申报住宿登记。其中，在移动性住宿工具内住宿的，为其提 供场地的 机构或者个人还应当提前24小时向当地公安派出所申报。
持有居留证件的外国人在居留证件注明的地点住宿的，无需重复申报住宿登记。离 开居留证件注明的地点在其他地方临时住宿的，应当在临时住宿地办理住 宿登记。
第三十六条 在中国境内出生的外国婴儿由其父母或者代理人按照《中华人民共和国 出境入境管理法》第四十条的规定办理停留或者居留登记。
外国婴儿的父母或者代理人应当在办理停留居留登记后60日内为其申请办理停留居 留证件，但因非自身原因无法及时取得本国护照或者其他国际旅行证件 的除外。
第三十七条 外国人在中国境内死亡的，其家属、监护人或者代理人，应当在获取 死亡证明后10日内，持该外国人的死亡证明、护照或者其他国际旅行证件向死者原 停留居留地 或者死亡地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申报，注 销外国人签证或者停留居留证件。
第三十八条 以下外国人应当在限定的区域内停留：
（一）经出入境边防检查机关批准临时入境且限定停留区域的；
（二）所持出境入境证件注明停留区域的。
第三十九条 外国人有下列情形之一的，可以认定为非法居留：
（一）超过签证、停留居留证件规定的停留居留期限停留居留的；
（二）免办签证入境的外国人超过免签期限停留且未办理停留居留证件的；
（三）外国人超出限定的停留居留区域活动的；
（四）其他非法居留的情形。
第四十条 外国人有下列情形之一的，认定为非法就业：
（一）未持有效的工作许可和工作类居留证件在中国境内工作的，但按照规定免办 的除外；
（二）超出工作许可证件限定的地域工作的；
（三）不在工作许可证件限定的单位工作的；
（四）外国留学生超出勤工助学规定的岗位范围或者时限在中国境内工作的；
（五）Z2字签证持有人，超出主管部门批准的范围工作的。
第四十一条 未持有效的工作许可和工作类居留证件的外国人，虽未与用人单位签 订劳动合同，但是与用人单位形成事实上的劳动关系的，视为非法就业。
外国人是否已经实际取得劳动报酬并不影响前款规定的外国人非法就业行为的成立。
第四十二条 外国人有下列情形之一的，聘用外国人工作或者招收外国留学生的单 位，应当及时向所在地公安机关出入境管理机构报告：
（一）外国人的工作单位、地域发生变动或者离职的；
（二）留学生毕业、结业、肄业、退学的；
（三）聘雇的外国人、留学生违反出境入境管理的；
（四）聘雇的外国人、留学生死亡或者发生其他重大事件的。
第四十三条 有关单位在办理业务时需要核实外国人身份信息的，可以向公安机关 出入境管理机构申请核实。公安机关出入境管理机构及其工作人员提供核实意见 时，应当对外国 人个人信息予以保密。
第四章 调查、遣返与处罚
第四十四条 对外国人作出拘留审查决定的，应当开具拘留审查决定书，交付被拘 留审查的外国人，并在24小时内将被拘留审查的外国人送到拘留所或者遣返场所。
被拘留审查的外国人所涉案件审查处理完毕的或者经审查发现不应当拘留审查的， 应当立即解除拘留审查，开具解除拘留审查通知书并交付被解除拘留审查 的外国 人；被处行政拘留的，移交拘留所执行。
第四十五条 对外国人限制活动范围的，应当出具限制活动范围决定书。被限制活 动范围的外国人，应当在指定的时间到公安机关报到；未经决定机关批准，不得变 更生活居所或 者超出指定的活动区域。
第四十六条 作出遣送出境决定的机关，应当依法确定被遣送出境的外国人不准入 境的期限。
第四十七条 由于天气、交通运输工具班期、当事人健康状况等不可抗力原因或者 由于国籍、身份不明而无法立即执行遣送出境、驱逐出境的，应当凭相关法律文书 将外国人羁押 在遣返场所或者拘留所，直至执行完毕。
公安机关根据实际需要可以设置遣返场所。羁押在遣返场所被遣送、驱逐出境的外 国人，凭相关法律文书和停留证件出境
第四十八条 外国人被遣送出境所需的费用由本人承担。如本人无力承担，属于非 法就业的，由非法聘用的单位、个人承担；属于其他情形的，由对外国人在中国境 内停留期间所 需费用进行担保的单位、个人承担。
第四十九条 外国人所持签证、停留居留证件等有下列情形之一的，签发机关可以 宣布作废：
（一）损毁、遗失、被盗抢的；
（二）外国人被决定限期出境、遣送出境或者驱逐出境，但所持签证、停留居留证 件未能收缴或者注销的；
（三）外国人原居留事由提前终止，经公安机关公告，未在规定期限内向公安机关 申报的；
（四）外国人具有《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第二十一条、第三十一条规定 的不符合签发条件情形的。
签发机关需要对签证、停留居留证件等依法宣布作废的，可以当场宣布作废，并予 以注销或者收缴；无法当场宣布作废的，可以公告宣布作废。
第五十条 外国人所持签证、停留居留证件等有下列情形之一的，公安机关可以注 销或者收缴：
（一）被宣布作废的；
（二）伪造、变造的；
（三）骗取或者通过其他方式非法获取的；
（四）被他人冒用的；
（五）被决定限期出境、遣送出境或者驱逐出境的。
作出注销或者收缴决定的机关应当及时通知发证机关。
第五十一条 违反本条例规定，为外国人申请签证、停留居留证件及其延期、换 发、补发出具虚假证明材料的，按照《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第七十四条 的规定处罚。
第五十二条 外国人在中国境内使用伪造、变造的出境入境证件证明身份的，给予 警告，可以并处2000元以下罚款。
第五十三条 对外国人处限期出境的，应当规定外国人离境的期限，最长不得超过 30日。
第五十四条 本章规定的行政处罚，由县级以上地方人民政府公安机关或者出入境 边防检查机关决定；其中警告或者2000元以下罚款，可以由县级以上地方人民政府 公安机关 出入境管理机构决定。
第五章 附 则
第五十五条 本条例下列用语的含义：
签证的入境次数，是指持证人在签证入境有效期内可以入境的次数。
签证的入境有效期，是指持证人所持签证入境的有效时间范围。非经签发机关注 明，签证自签发之日起生效，于有效期满当日北京时间24时失效。
签证的停留期限，是指持证人每次入境后被准许停留的时限，自入境次日开始计算。
长期、常驻，是指在中国境内居留超过180日。
短期，是指在中国境内停留不超过180日（含180日）。
家庭成员，包括配偶、父母、子女、兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母、孙子女、外孙 子女以及配偶的父母。
第五十六条 中国政府同外国政府就签证受理与审发、签证费用等签有协议的，按 有关协议执行。
第五十七条 居住在中国毗邻国家陆地边境接壤地区的外国人，入出中国国境以及 在中国境内停留居留，两国之间有协议的，按照协议执行；没有协议的，按照中国 政府的规定执 行。
第五十八条 经外交部批准，驻外签证机关可以委托当地有关机构承担外国人签证 申请的接件、录入、咨询等服务性事务。
第五十九条 外交签证、礼遇签证、公务签证和外国人因外交、公务事由在中国境 内停留居留证件的签发管理，按照外交部的规定执行。
第六十条 签证的式样由外交部会同公安部规定。停留居留证件的式样由公安部规定
第六十一条 本条例自 年 月 日起施行。《中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理法 实施细则》同时废止。
JayKnox:
Thanks for posting that!
So, the first thing I notice - they are, as usual, assigning some leeway to provinces (regions, cities). I would suggest foreigners in Shanghai, Sanya or Shenzen might want to pay careful attention to the part about regional needs and shortages of foreign experts. You may have stricter standards.
I don't see anything here about a new practice of imprisoning foreign English teachers across China. Which is good because '27 year old Jessica McGee currently being held in a Chinese prison over Visa regulations' is a REALLY REALLY BAD INTERNATIONAL HEADLINE.
One I find impossible to believe Chinese want to read either.
I think I'm seeing some good things here (and potential hassles) but basically they have given themselves more room?
In theory, it could be easier on a (example) foreign english teacher to get a 'Z-2' so they can start, establish, arrange in a good amount of time and then establish a proper 'Z1'.
I would suppose this could, in theory, also make it easier to establish a problem with a foreign english teacher and cycle them out after 3 months instead of what might have been a year.
(obviously I'm speculating out-loud which is all you can do with Chinese policies after all).
I don't know guys but I'm just going to throw out a great big guesstimate on what all of this means:
Good ole' Supply and Demand. No seriously.
China probably doesn't need many more young guys showing up in Top Tier popular cities, getting 'just enough visa' as english teachers and 2 months later claiming the contract is void but remaining happy to tour around or create long 'working-vacations'.
Not when they already have a decent supply coming in.
Versus?
If you are in (I dunno some example) Inner Mongolia or maybe somewhere outside Harbin and trying to help out teaching English?
I think this can make things easier for you.
Wow, such much info to wade thorough! Thanks though.
I renewed my Residence permit in Xinjiang this week. There were no changes from last year's extension. I got my passport back overnight with new RP extended till the end of new Contract.
hello i really dont think being sent to jail for visa problems would make bad headlines or any headlines,
its common place in most countries to be sent to a jail or a detention center for breaking the laws on visa's,
if you break the law in another country and get sent to jail it rarely make the headlines, i have been told by a few people in different cities that the jail/deportation term would be 5 days or until you can pay for your flight home, and this is in no way going to make the headlines, if you re caught you are breaking the law by being here illegally and you will be subject to what ever punishment they see fit,
I really hope that nobody is caught and that every body has made plans to either get legal or get out of china and if anyone does get caught they just get a few hours of being interviewed and then released and forced home in a week is so, which seems to be the norm at the moment but the police/psb have stated that there will be tougher penalty's for any one getting caught,
