Editor's note:

The Chinese government promulgated a new exit-and-entry regulation on July 22 that is intended to standardize the issuance of visas for foreigners, as well as related services and management.

The 39-article regulation will take effect on September 1, replacing the previous regulation promulgated in December 1986. 

Under the new rule, the more subdivided visa categories is expected to deepen China's opening-up, boost tourism and attract more overseas talent.

Visa Categories increased from 8 to 12

Based on one's purpose of entry, the regulation categorizes ordinary visas into 12 types, with the new R-visa to be issued to high-level foreign professionals.

New rule will boost family reunions

Relatives of foreign residents in China will soon have more opportunities to visit their loved ones, thanks to new visa rules announced on Monday.

Under regulations from the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, an S visa will be created for family members of professionals from overseas.

Spouses, young children, parents and parents-in-law will all qualify for the visa when the regulations take effect in September, authorities said. S1 visas will allow a stay of more than six months. >>>

Defines circumstances of illegal residence

Purposes of the new rule

To better fulfill the Exit and Entry Administration Law which has taken effecton July 1, 2013.

The subdivided visa categories are expected to deepen China's opening-up, boost tourism and attract more overseas talent.

The regulation will help safeguard national security and strengthen relevant review measures while facilitating normal personnel exchanges, according to a spokesman for the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, or China's cabinet.

The government has shown its sincerity toward global talent with the new policy, said Liu Guofu, an immigration law professor at Beijing Institute of Technology.

Javier Ibanez, a 25-year-old Spaniard working at a media group in Beijing, feels excited about the policy as his parents come to China once or twice a year and have always applied for a tourist visa. The new type of visa will grant them residency rights for a longer period.

Janelle Woo is the representative of the Singapore-Shandong Economic and Trade Council in Qingdao.

Ben Lor is a Chinese-American working for an art dealership in China.

Dutch architect Barbara Kuit, who co-designed the Canton Tower with her husband Mark Hemel, settled in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in 2011. She now lives with her husband and three children in the city and goes back to the Netherlands to visit her parents from time to time, but she would like her parents to have the opportunity to come to China. So she is excited about the new visa policy.

Beijing, Shanghai start visa-free transit policy

Travelers from 45 countries can now benefit from a 72-hour visa-free stay policy in Beijing and Shanghai, a move that could attract more transit visitors.
45 countries listed for 72-hour visa-free stay in Beijing

Guangzhou to launch 72-hour visa-free stays

Travelers from 45 countries, who intend to visit a third country and who hold air tickets, will be able to stay in the Guangdong provincial capital for three days without a visa and will be allowed to visit anywhere in the province during their trips.

Chengdu to apply 72-hour visa-free policy

Hao Yuenan, an official with the Sichuan provincial government information office, said that Chengdu will be the fourth mainland city after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to adopt the policy.

New exit and entry law effective

According to the law, employers will be fined 10,000 yuan ($1,620) for every foreigner they illegally employ up to a maximum of 100,000 yuan. Any monetary gain resulting from such employment will also be confiscated.

Foreign-related marriage and divorce law

Foreigners working illegally lose some judicial protections

As of Feb 1, 2013, courts will not protect the labor rights of foreigners working without a work permit, according to an interpretation of labor laws released by the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, on Thursday.

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A good man and true

Weibo draws more than just locals

Volunteer bridges Chinese-foreign cultural gaps

Foreign suspects accused of theft

Police have detained 19 foreigners on suspicion of stealing clothing from well-known stores in Shanghai, saying they were planning to take the goods to their home country for sale.

Foreigner nabbed for sex assault on Chinese woman

A Saudi Arabian man was detained for sexually assaulting a Chinese woman in public in Changsha city, Central China's Hunan province on April 4, China News Service reported on Monday.

Foreigner caught scratching cars in Dalian

A foreigner in Dalian, Liaoning province is suspected of scratching about 10 vehicles parked on a road on Sunday, Northeast News reported.