Conference site. (PHOTO: SCIO)

By Staff Reporters

China will further facilitate the work, study, and investment activities of foreign nationals in the country, as well as visa facilitation for foreign business personnel and their families, said the National Immigration Administration (NIA) during a recent press conference.

The NIA has been providing services from various aspects including policies, mechanisms and procedures. In collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, they have streamlined processes, optimized application procedures, and implemented a "one-stop" approval mechanism for foreign nationals' work permits and residence permits.

According to Jia Tongbin, an NIA official, foreign nationals who have continuously held work-type residence permits for more than one year and those working in well-known enterprises or research institutions may now apply for residence permits valid for up to five years. Additionally, those meeting specific conditions may be granted permanent residency in China.

Moreover, the NIA is promoting additional measures. For instance, foreign nationals applying for residence documents for investment, entrepreneurship, work, or study in China are now exempt from having to leave their passports for verification. Instead, they can present their passports at the issuance window at the agreed-upon time to collect their residence permit, leaving them time for dealing with passport-related work during this period.

In processing foreign nationals' visa applications, the NIA utilizes inter-departmental information sharing to access relevant records such as accommodation registrations and business licenses, thereby eliminating the need for verifying related paper documents.

Furthermore, by enhancing the application of information technology, they are continuously enriching the functions of immigration management government service platforms such as "online application," enabling online appointment scheduling, progress tracking, and visa information inquiries, making visa processing more convenient for foreign nationals.

Jia also stated that the NIA will collaborate with relevant departments to introduce more proactive, open and effective immigration policies and measures, contributing to China's high-level openness and greater utilization of foreign capital through immigration management.