The Exit-Entry Administration Municipal Public Security Bureau has recently published the "Welcome to Beijing: Guidance on Entry, Exit, and Residence Services for Foreigners" for 2025. This English-language guide spans 39 pages and includes details about entry, exit, visas, business, and residence for foreigners in China. It also contains references and contact information for various entry-exit bureaus and other relevant organizations for foreigners.
For many long-term expatriates in Beijing, the content of this guide may not be particularly novel. However, it serves as a useful resource for newcomers and visitors, providing contact information and solutions to basic inquiries concerning visas, residence permits, housing registration, and driver's licenses that even seasoned residents might find beneficial to keep on hand.
The guide is structured into eight chapters divided into three main sections. Each chapter presents information through straightforward questions that answer key points directly. The guide is straightforward and concise, free of unnecessary details.
Here’s a summary of the contents:
**Arriving in Beijing: Guidance on Entry Permit for Foreign Nationals**
- Flow Chart for Entering China for Foreign Nationals
- Methods of Entry for Foreigners, and Port Visas
- Eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program
- Criteria for China’s 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
- Information on Port Visas: Definition, authorized ports, application eligibility, and application process
- Types of Port Visas available
- Contact information for Port Visa offices in Beijing
**Living in Beijing: Guidance on Accommodation Registration and Residence for Foreign Nationals**
- Accommodation Registration
- Timeline for Foreign Nationals to Register Accommodation
- Steps and Required Documents for Accommodation Registration in Beijing
- Online Registration Process and Requirements
- Consequences of Failing to Register Accommodation
**Visa/Stay Permit**
- Conditions for Extending or Renewing Visas in China
- Application Processing Time
- Locations for Applying for Visa, Residence Permit, and Stay Permit
- Overview of Exit-Entry Administration Reception Halls in Beijing
**Types of Visas:**
- Eligibility for various visa categories including Q2 (short-term family reunion), S2 (short-term personal business), R (talent), and other specific permits
- Procedures for dealing with lost or stolen visas or residence permits
- Registration process for newborns born in China to foreign parents
- Applying for passport loss certificates or proof of no criminal conviction
**Residence Permit**
- Available types of residence permits and their eligibility criteria
- Requirements for specific categories including work, internship, family reunion, personal business, and domestic service
**Permanent Residence**
- Definition and validity of permanent residence
- Procedures for applying for different categories of permanent residence including contributor, employee, investment personnel, and family reasons
- Required documentation and application submission authorities
**Traveling in Beijing: Facilitation Services**
- Overview of Yangfan Plan Facilitation Policies on Entry-Exit
- Policies to Support Enterprises and Attract Talent
**References:**
- Inquiry Numbers
- Relevant Websites
- Official WeChat Account: Beijing Public Security Exit-Entry
- Contact Information for Relevant Units
- Guidelines for Motor Vehicle Driving License Application for Overseas Residents in Beijing
To access the guide, scan the QR code below, which will direct you to a Tencent Weiyun drive where you can view the guide online, save it, or download it to your device.
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Images: Unsplash, The People's Government of Beijing Municipality
The 2025 edition of "Welcome to Beijing: Guidance on Entry, Exit, and Residence Services for Foreigners" has been released.