The Screenshot of the notice. (PHOTO: NIA)

According to the National Immigration Administration (NIA), starting from October 9, the government service platform of NIA will be added with more functions, including online appointment, inquiry and other functions related to foreigners' visas and other relevant documents. Specifically, it includes the following eight functions and services.

The first one is online appointments for applications for individual visas and other documents. Foreigners can schedule appointments online to apply for visa extensions, renewal, reissuance, and for stay and residence permits. Time slots and places for having the applications handled offline can be selected in order to save time and enhance the efficiency of offline processing.

The second one is online inquiries about the progress of the issuance of individual visas and other documents. Foreigners can check online their application statuses for visa extension, renewal and reissuance, and stay and residence permits issued by the exit-entry administrations of public security organs, to help them make better arrangements for their personal affairs.

The third one is online inquiries about the information on individual visas and other documents. Foreigners can make online inquiries about the information concerning the extension, renewal, and reissuance of their visas, and stay and residence permits issued by the exit-entry administrations of public security organs, to get their relevant social affairs handled in a more efficient way.

The fourth one is online inquiries about Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards of the People's Republic of China. Foreigners with permanent residence status in China can check the details of their Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards of the People's Republic of China online, to have their relevant social affairs handled in a more efficient way in China.

The fifth one is online inquiries about the passport information of foreigners with permanent residence status. Foreigners with permanent residence status in China can inquire about their passport information online. The inquiry results can be used to generate electronic documents with the electronic signature of NIA, making the search for the personal passports bound to Foreign Permanent Residence ID Cards possible. This makes it easier for foreigners with permanent residence status to deal with social affairs in the sectors of finance, tax, social security, communications, etc.

The sixth one is online inquiries about the information of the authorities issuing the relevant documents. Foreigners can inquire about the details of the exit-entry administration service centers of the public security organs in China, where services such as visa extension, renewal, reissuance, and issuance of stay and residence permits are handled. Details such as locations, office hours, and inquiry telephone numbers are available. This will offer foreigners convenience in applying for different exit-entry documents.

The seventh one is online service guidance. Foreigners can inquire online about detailed guidelines related to applications for visa extension, renewal, reissuance, and stay and residence permits. The information on the corresponding application material, requirements, procedures and methods, fees, etc., will also be provided. Foreigners can therefore prepare relevant materials in advance and enjoy higher processing efficiency.

The eighth one is online assistance services by relatives or friends. This is for children, elderly and others who have difficulties using NIA's mobile platform yet need to make relevant applications online. Chinese and foreign users can add the foreigners in need of assistance as the applicants and help them handle relevant matters including making appointments for applications of the relevant documents, inquiring about the status of the applications and the details of the relevant documents, etc.

According to a relevant person in charge of the Department of Foreigners Management of NIA, NIA initiated online services such as appointments and inquiries for Chinese citizens to manage their exit-entry documents in 2019, which have gained wide recognition. The new online functions of convenient services, which will be introduced in response to the needs of foreigners and foreign market entities in China, are part of the specific measures taken by NIA to further reform and comprehensively promote the improvement of the immigration, exit and entry government services. NIA also aims to constantly improve the standardization, normalization, digitalization and intelligentizaiton of the government services for immigration management, foster a favorable foreign-related environment, and contribute to China's opening up, innovation, and high-quality development.

Source： NIA