China's new visa agent registration rules took effect September 15. Agencies must register within 90 days; clients can check a public platform for registered providers.
Tags:China’s New Visa Agent Rules Take Effect Today—What Foreign Clients Need to Know
China’s new registration rules for agencies providing paid entry and exit services took effect on September 15.
Issued by the National Immigration Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation, the rules cover services related to travel, business, study, employment and relocation.
These include policy consultation, document applications and assistance with entry and exit procedures.
Who Must Register?
The rules apply to agencies that charge clients for assistance with entry and exit procedures connected to travel, business, study, employment or relocation.
Covered services include immigration policy advice, document applications and help completing official procedures.
Companies must register with the local public security bureau’s exit-entry administration. Their managers and employees who work directly with clients must also be registered.
Companies operating branches in different cities or regions must register each branch separately with the relevant local authority.
New agencies must complete registration within 15 days of being established or starting the relevant business. Companies already providing these services have 90 days from September 15 to comply.
If all required documents are accepted, authorities should issue a registration certificate within five working days.
Check our latest video on China Visa and foreign-related knowledge!
Follow our channel for updates 👇
Your Agent’s Details Will Be Public
The National Immigration Administration will establish a public platform listing registered agencies and employees.
Authorities will also conduct inspections, investigate complaints and publish information about violations and poor records.
Agencies must keep service records and client files, including contracts, personal information and financial documents. They are also required to establish systems covering staff training, data security and compliance.
What Changes for Foreign Clients?
The rules regulate agencies—not their foreign clients. They do not introduce a new registration requirement for foreigners applying for visas, work permits or residence documents.
However, foreigners paying an agency for immigration-related assistance should eventually be able to check the national platform to see whether the company and the person handling their case are registered.
Registration should make it easier to identify legitimate providers, although it does not guarantee that a visa or residence application will be approved.
The wider regulations were introduced after authorities reported problems including misleading advertising, unlawful services and agencies assisting clients with false application materials.
Source: 国家移民管理局
Get daily news, tips, and events in Shanghai
Connect with expat communities and industry experts
For the latest jobs&policy updates, scan the code below to follow AnyJob!
If you have any questions about China visa applications (work visa, company registration and more), please contact our visa consultant Alice.
Click "Wow" if you like this article
No comments:
Post a Comment