Foreigners will be able to make appointments and requests related to their visas and other documents on the National Immigration Administration’s government services platform from 9 October.
The NIA announced eight new features and services of the platform on Wednesday, saying it aims to improve the standardisation, regulation, digitisation and intelligence of immigration management government services.
Through the platform, foreign nationals can schedule appointments for services such as visa extensions, renewals and reissues, as well as apply for residence and stay permits. They can choose the time and place for face-to-face processing.
Foreign applicants will also be able to enquire about the status and details of their applications for visa extensions, renewals, re-issues and for the issuance of stay and residence permits. This will help them effectively manage their personal affairs, it said.
Foreigners with permanent residence status in China can access the details of their Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards online. They can also check the information on their passports, and the search results can generate electronic documents endorsed by the NIA, enabling them to link their passports and Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards. This will enable them to better manage matters such as finance, tax, social security and telecommunications.
The platform will provide comprehensive information on Exit-Entry Management Service Centres that can process visa and residence permit applications across the country, including addresses, opening hours and contact phone numbers.
Foreigners will also be able to access detailed guidelines online for visa extensions, renewals, replacements, residence permits and other related matters. These guidelines provide specific information on application materials, requirements, processing procedures, methods and fee standards.
To assist the elderly, children and other foreigners who may have difficulty using the NIA’s mobile platform, the platform will allow their friends and family members to assist them with relevant applications. Both Chinese and foreign users can assist foreigners who need help with their applications, helping them to make appointments and requests.
He Feng, director of the visa and travel management department at the NIA, said the NIA launched online appointment and inquiry functions for exit and entry documents for Chinese citizens in 2019, which were well received.
The introduction of the new online services for foreigners and market entities is part of the NIA’s efforts to deepen reforms, advance immigration and entry/exit government services and create a favourable environment for international interactions, he said.
