China extends visa term for foreigners of Chinese origin

Police officers receive foreign citizens at an international airport in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, December 14, 2017. [Photo: VCG]

The valid visa term for people of Chinese origin, who now hold foreign citizenship, will be extended to five years for multiple journeys from the previous one-year period, the Ministry of Public Security said Monday.

The ministry has also announced new policies enabling Chinese citizens to apply for entry-exit certificates at local police offices.

China saw 598 million exits and entries across the border in 2017, up 4.76 percent from 2016, according to the MPS. Some 292 million of the trips were made by citizens in the Chinese mainland, a 6.73-percent increase from the previous year.

Qu Yunhai, head of the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security, pledged the ministry will continue to reform the system for issuing permanent residence certificates to foreigners.