Foreigners working on the mainland will have the minimum duration of their residential certificates halved to 90 days under a draft law being reviewed by Beijing.
It was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress yesterday following concerns over the behaviour of some expatriates that has led to a rise in anti-foreigner sentiment. Zhang Bailin, deputy director of the NPC Law Committee, said the change was proposed as some foreigners only came for short-term jobs.
The draft law also proposes fines of up to 10,000 yuan (HK$12,200) for companies that offer foreigners illegal invitation letters. The companies will also be asked to cover the cost of deporting the foreigners.
The draft law was proposed to tackle concerns about foreigners who have entered the mainland illegally, or who have overstayed or worked illegally on the mainland.
Official statistics show that the number of such foreigners caught on the mainland increased from about 10,000 in 1995 to 20,000 last year.
'By shortening the period a foreigner can stay in China, it is easier for the authorities to control foreigners here,' said Ong Yew-kim, a visiting professor at China University of Political Science and Law. 'It will be easier for the authorities to send foreigners they don't like out of the country.'