What You Need to Know If Your Visa Extension Is About to Expire

It’s now coming on two months since the 60-day visa extension policy was announced, which allowed foreigners to stick it out in China rather than return home during the COVID-19 crisis. That also means the initial automatic extension is due to expire soon for many, leading to confusion and anxiety as visa holders scramble to secure flights out of China before the expiration date.

Due to the blanket restrictions on issuing visas, visa extensions per se are not permitted. However, some foreigners have been able to obtain a 30-day stay permit, which is affixed into the passport and grants the holder legal right to remain in, or exit China, before its expiration. It is suggested that those wanting to apply for a stay permit do so seven days before their visa expires.

While it is certainly possible to be granted a stay permit, holders of soon-to-expire visas should not treat it as a sure thing. Rather, the permits are granted on a case-by-case basis according to necessity.

In order to apply for a stay permit gather the following materials and bring them to the Entry and Exit Administration of the Public Security Bureau:

• Your passport;

• Your accommodation registration slip;

• The standard visa/stay permit/residence permit application form;

• A 3.5×5.3cm full-face photo with white background;

• Any documents relevant to the reason you need the stay permit, including a letter explaining your circumstances (preferably in Chinese) as well as any related proof.

How will I know if the extension is approved?

How much will the stay permit cost?

Image: Wikimedia