Coronavirus: China eases visa restrictions for foreigners

Foreign nationals with valid permits can arrive in the country but will have to complete quarantine, foreign ministry says

Holders of expired permits can reapply for visa if the purpose of the visit has not changed

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China is allowing foreign nationals holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters or family reunion to enter China without applying for new visas. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:18pm, 23 Sep 2020Updated: 1:28am, 24 Sep 2020

China will ease entry restrictions for foreigners from Monday, with the spread of the coronavirus through imported cases largely under control.

As of Wednesday, China had 10 new imported cases and no new local cases or deaths, with a total of 168 confirmed cases still being treated, and 6,864 close contacts of previous cases still being monitored.

Foreign nationals holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters or family reunion are allowed to enter China without applying for new visas, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement released late on Wednesday.

If these permits expired after March 28, the holders can apply for new visas through Chinese embassies or consulates if the purpose of the visit to China remains unchanged.

But other restrictions introduced in March would continue, the statement said.

Anybody coming from abroad will still have to have coronavirus tests and complete 14 days of quarantine, according to the regulations.

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