In order to efficiently coordinate thepandemic prevention and control with economic and social development, toactively adapt to the new situation and requirements in the new phase ofCOVID-19 prevention and control, to safeguard people's lives and health, and toprotect and promote the personnel exchange and communication between China andthe rest of the world, National Immigration Administration of China willoptimize policies and measures of immigration administration starting fromJanuary 8, 2023. Hereby it is announced as follows.
First, resume in an orderly manner theacceptance and examination of the Chinese citizens' application for ordinarypassports for the purposes of tourism and friends-visiting abroad; resume theprocessing of endorsements for Chinese mainland residents to visit Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region for tourism and business purposes.
Second, resume the acceptance andexamination of foreigners' applications for the extension, renewal andre-issuance of ordinary visa, the issuance, renewal and re-issuance of staypermit, and the issuance, extension, renewal and re-issuance of residencepermits. In case of urgent needs, expedited procedures may be applied for.
Third, resume the issuance of port visa,the implementation of the 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, and theissuance of temporary entry permit in accordance with the law.
Fourth, resume the issuance ofexit-&-entry permit of the People's Republic of China, and the issuance ofexit-&-entry permit for border control area.
Fifth, gradually resume the passengerclearance of land ports/channels; resume in an orderly manner the exit andentry of passengers and border residents through land ports and corridors forborder residents. The corridors for border residents
shall be resumed in accordance withrelevant regulations and immigration inspection shall be implemented accordingto law.
Sixth, resume the fast channels in portsadjacent to Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. Holders of theHong Kong and Macao Travel Permit for Mainland Resident, the Mainland TravelPermit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, and etc. may go through the fastchannels for immigration inspection.
Seventh, gradually resume the passengerclearance of water ports; allow the liner passengers to exit and entry throughwater ports that meet relevant requirements; resume at selected ports the exitand entry of international cruise passengers; issue the temporary entry permitaccording to law for foreign crew members who meet entry requirements; cancelthe previous regulation of "restricting personnel from embarking onvessels engaged in international voyages, restricting crew members of thesevessels from disembarking, and restricting these vessels
from berthing alongside other vessels".
Eighth, continue the implementation of thefacilitation measures, including "green passages" at airports for keycargo flights, "fast channels" at land ports and immigrationinspection stations for vehicles carrying key supplies, online self-applicationof "immigration inspection boarding code" used at water ports, andetc..