Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin Photo: mfa.gov.cn

Since the beginning of this year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has continuously optimized visa policies and, in conjunction with relevant departments, introduced a series of convenient measures to ensure the smooth entry of foreigners into China.

The remarks were made by foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday, who emphasized that improving visa policy also serves high-quality development and a high level of opening up.

Wang noted that since the management of COVID-19 was downgraded to Class B, the foreign ministry has guided overseas embassies and consulates to take multiple measures to improve the efficiency of visa processing. These measures include extending office hours, streamlining material requirements, deploying more staff, increasing the proportion of multiple-entry visas issued, temporarily exempting fingerprint collection, and optimizing visa application forms. 

In addition, green channels have been provided for important and urgent business and humanitarian groups. Currently, the majority of overseas embassies and consulates can be appointed within two working days, and a considerable number of them have abolished the appointment system and are accepting visa applications openly, Wang added.

Wang stressed that the above measures have achieved positive results, with a rapid recovery in the issuance of visas by foreign embassies and consulates, a steady increase in the number of foreign visitors, and positive feedback from all sectors. "The Chinese Foreign Ministry will continue to optimize visa policies and actively create favorable conditions, so as to provide more convenience for smooth exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel," said Wang.

According to the National Immigration Administration, there were 123 million inbound and outbound visits in the third quarter this year, an increase of 454.4 percent year-on-year, of which 10.936 million were foreigners. In the first half of 2023, 168 million people entered and left the country, a year-on-year increase of 169.6%, of which 8.438 million were foreigners.

Global Times