To enhance the entry and exit convenience for foreign business visitors and to support enterprises in international trade and economic cooperation, Beijing will provide a special visa facilitation program for eligible foreign business visitors. This initiative, a nationwide first, combines expedited visa processing with streamlined immigration inspection services provided by the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

At a policy briefing held by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal Government (hereafter referred to as the “Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office”) on the afternoon of February 14, officials from relevant departments gave an overview of this facilitation program to representatives from various districts and enterprises. Eligible applicants for the program include foreign business personnel invited by Beijing-registered enterprises, who need to frequently travel to Beijing for commercial and trade activities, as well as their spouse and children.

After receiving the application of enterprises, the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office will issue a special invitation letter to eligible foreign business visitors, allowing them to apply for a five-year multiple-entry M visa with a 180-day stay per trip. With this invitation, Chinese visa-issuing authorities abroad may grant the corresponding M visa (or an equivalent visa type). Applicants are exempt from fingerprint collection and may entrust others to apply on their behalf. Only the fee for a one-year multiple-entry visa will be charged. The Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection will provide fast-track immigration inspection for eligible foreign business visitors entering through Beijing ports, including Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport.

The Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office will leverage the existing information system to implement the special visa and immigration inspection facilitation program. Enterprises will not need to visit foreign affairs departments in various districts to submit materials as the entire process, from submitting the application to receiving the special invitation letter, can be completed online. The seamless flow of data eliminates the need for in-person visits. In addition, no fees will be charged for the special visa invitation letter.

The policy will offer a “green channel” for foreign business visitors to Beijing. According to a representative from Glodon Company Limited, a company frequently requires overseas suppliers to come to Beijing for business negotiations, the special visa and immigration inspection facilitation program will make it more convenient for its foreign business partners to visit Beijing. After the initial application is approved, they will be exempt from reapplying for a visa for the next five years, enabling more frequent and flexible visits. This will greatly facilitate the company’s international business cooperation.

(Written by Fan Junsheng)