New China Visa Policies Updated in September

1. Detailed Daily Itinerary Required for TE Letter Application To successfully apply for a TE Letter, expats now need to submit a detailed daily itinerary for their activities after entering China. This document plays a crucial role in the TE Letter application process, so it is essential to provide a comprehensive and accurate schedule. 2. New Requirements for Permanent Residency Applications in Academic Institutions Expats working in academic institutions or other public organizations who are applying for employment-based or foreign doctoral permanent residency now need to provide their institution's "Certificate of Public Institution Legal Person" instead of a copy of the "Enterprise Business License" and online annual report. This document replaces the previous requirements and should be submitted in its original form. 3. Option to Not Leave Passport with Exit-Entry Administration Department for Residency Permit Applications Expats applying for a residency permit now have the option to choose not to leave their passport with the Exit-Entry Administration Department. However, on the day of application, they must fill out the "Notice for 'Not Leaving Passport' Application" and provide additional documents. Currently, this option is only available for expats working in Fortune 500 companies applying for work-related residency permits. The application should include a detailed explanation of the reasons for not leaving the passport, such as upcoming business trips. The notice will specify the expected processing time and the latest date for collection. Expats should bring their passport with blank visa pages within the validity period and collect the permit at the designated location as indicated on the acceptance receipt. 4. Requirements for Student Visa Applications for Minors in Shanghai In Shanghai, foreign minors under the age of 16 applying for a student visa must first obtain a "Guardian Delegation" before applying for the visa. The appointed guardian must be a Shanghai citizen, even if both parents are expats. The materials required for the delegation include the following: Original passports of the minor and their parents Certification of the minor's birth certificate Certification of the parents' marriage certificate Original admission notice from the school School's statement regarding the guardian's situation Original ID card and Shanghai household registration of the guardian 5. Reminder for Handling Business at Exit-Entry Administration Department with New Passports Expats who have obtained a new passport and have only the stay visa on the new passport need to bring the previous expired passport, which contains the canceled visa, when conducting any business at the Exit-Entry Administration Department. 6. Alternative Documents for Canadian Chinese Applying for PR For Canadian Chinese applicants who have lost their original naturalization papers when applying for permanent residency, they can now submit their Canadian citizenship card as a substitute for the "proof of foreign nationality" requirement. Additionally, if the applicant cannot provide the original Canadian Permanent Resident Card (Maple Leaf Card), they can submit the landing paper as proof of foreign residency.