Image from WikipediaChinese authorities have started to impose severe restrictions on business visa, Z-visa in the jargon, ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, writes AP, confirming rumors and stories that were going around already for a longer time. The Z-visas facilitated mainly foreign business people.The maximum possible now is a 3-month visa with double entry, while multiple entries are not given and the processing time is also longer than it used to be.
Getting into China was really easy and in Hong Kong multiple entry visas for six months would be a half-a-day job. It is yet another sign that facilitating business is no longer the overall priority of this government. As we have seen in its financial policies, its social politics and environmental measures. Hurting business, a no-no when former president Jiang Zemin was still in charge, when security, stability and other political priorities prevail is now much more an accepted side-effect. For sure, a stable Olympics is much more important than any business targets. As we have seen in other news: whole industries might have to close down in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai ahead of the Olympics.
Update: Marc van der Chijs is correct (see comment), trouble is about the F-vsas, not the Z-visas. Still a nuisance.
5 comments:
Fons, this is not correct. I am applying for a new Z-visa now and they might even give me a 3-year visa instead of the standard 1-year that I had for the past 8 years. A Z-visa is also always multiple entry, single or double entry visas do not exist. I think you might confuse the Z-visa with the F-visa that is often used by foreigners that are 'illegal' in China.
Any confirmation if they are issuing Z Visas from HK/Macau if I got all the papers and documents in order?? I am going in a few days time to apply for 1, dont wanna be stuck up because of this.
excuses for the potential mess-up, but it concerns the F-visa, not the Z-visa. Latest I have heard it that 3-month visa with double entry are the maximum possible.
Hi, What about for people holding Olympics tickets? Are they going to be able to get in?
I am currently in Beijing but my visa runs out July 31st -- I'm worried I won't be able to get it renewed. Any advice?
Very unclear what the real situation now is; at least the visa issuing process would take much more time.
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