Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China that started two months ago, China has carried out very strict measures to stop and control spreading of the virus; luckily there are a few benefits we can reap from the management measures adopted by the government. It’s safe to say, the situation seems to be turning around; most of the cities in the country have reported no new cases during the past few weeks, including Wuhan (only 1 new case reported yesterday). 

Now everybody is going back to work and life is going back to normal; restaurants are reopening and the streets have become busy again. At this time, many foreigners are not able to apply for their visa on time due to the quarantine measures imposed by the Chinese government, there have been, however, many policies issued to support the application process of work permits and visas, some of which include:

1. The immigration bureau now provides urgent services

2. Exemptions are permitted for people whose visa expires during this extraordinary time (or for people who are unable to leave China or go to the bureau) 

3. Applying for a work permit extension can be carried out without presenting the original documents and appearing in person 

4. All visas are automatically granted a 2-month extension

5. Expired work permits and visas are allowed to be extended regardless of the time of application

I’m not in China now and my work permit or visa are about to expire, what should I do?

These are the steps you should follow: 

1. Work Permit Renewal:

1) Prepare the necessary documents for your work permit renewal (you can find the list on our official WeChat) and send them to your HR or agent by email or WeChat (at the moment, you only need to present the digital version of your documents)

2) Ask your HR or agent to apply for your work permit in China

2. Visa Renewal: 

Since you are not in China, please apply for your work visa once you have entered China. 

If your work visa expired before you enter China, you have two options:

1) Apply for a new visa (tour or business visa) from the Chinese Embassy in your country, then transfer to a work visa (resident permit) once in China.

2) Apply for a visa upon arrival (Border Visa) to enter China

I’m in China now and my work permit and visa are about to expire, what should I do?

1. Work Permit Renewal takes up to 5-10 working days

2. Work Visa Renewal takes up to 7 working days 

After your work permit is renewed, please go to the immigration bureau or ask your agency to go to the immigration bureau on your behalf to apply for the new work visa (resident permit).

What if my work permit and visa have already expired, can I still extend them?

Yes, it is possible to apply for an extension.

If your work permit has already expired, you are still be able to apply for an extension, the required documents depend on your situation, here is a list of the documents for reference:

1. Copy of passport (first page, last resident permit page, last entry stamp page)

2. Chinese Work Permit Card copy (front and back)

3. Applicant's new labor contract

4. Non-criminal record (only for applicants who are not in China)

If I want to change jobs, what should I do?

If you are in China, regardless of whether your visa has expired or not, you can apply for the work permit transfer, these are the documents you need to prepare:

1. Copy of passport (first page, last resident permit page, last entry stamp page)

2. Copy of your Chinese Work Permit Card (if it has already been cancelled, then provide cancellation letter)

3. Applicant's labor contract for new employee

4. Non-criminal record (only for people who are not in China)

5. New employer’s registration information from the work permit system

Time for the transfer:

1. New work permit application, 10-15 working days

2. New work visa (resident permit) application, 7 working days

Due to strict sanitary regulations adopted by the government, China has now become a safe place, more and more foreigners are coming back for work, remember that some people might need to go through a 14-day quarantine period when they enter China. Let us hope this situation will be over soon enough.

You might be interested in the below topics:

China Visas Automatically Renewed For 2 Months During Epidemic

When need to renew your work permit? What need to prepare?

What to do with your Work Permit if you want to change a job?

How to apply 2/3/4/5 years work visa?

Edit by Bill Lucas from VisaOfChina

Proofread by Laura Garcia from WAYWARD Translations

Follow our Official WeChat to get the latest policy and more information of the China Visa