On July 23, 2024, the measures for facilitating the exit and entry of the attendees of the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) were announced.

Foreign exhibitors attending this year's CIFTIS can apply for port visas at Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport with their invitation letters. Before arriving in China, the inviting entity needs to send the invitation letters, the photocopies of the identity documents of the foreign nationals concerned, and other necessary documents to the e-mail address (bjcrjka@nia.gov.cn) of Beijing authority in charge of port visa-relevant issues. Upon receiving the email, the staff will complete each pre-acceptance process within 24 hours and issue the Port Visa Application Pre-acceptance Form for Foreigners (外国人口岸签证预受理单) online following preliminary examinations. With the Form, foreign exhibitors can apply for port visas at the airport after landing in Beijing. Currently, there are port visa offices at Beijing Daxing International Airport, and Terminals 2 and 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport, all providing 24-hour visa-upon-arrival services every day.

Foreigners who need to stay in China for business meetings, project or investment discussions, or other purposes alike after the fair can apply for visa extension, renewal or re-issuance. Beijing has 21 exit-entry administration service centers for foreign nationals in its 16 districts, with "Yang Fan" (扬帆) special counters available to provide "green channel" services for CIFTIS attendees. Eligible foreign executives can also apply for permanent residence in China with relevant letters of recommendation.

Foreign exhibitors can file accommodation registration on computers and mobile phones. The system for registration is easy to use, available in six languages - Chinese, English, Russian, French, Japanese and Korean.

In case of the loss of passports, foreign exhibitors can get the Certificate of Passport Loss for Foreigners (外国人护照报失证明) from any police station or exit-entry administration authority, and apply for expedited re-issuance of their visas.

To make enterprise exhibitors' business trips to Hong Kong and Macao even smoother, the Exit-Entry Administration Department of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau introduced innovative services. For exhibitors filing business visits to Hong Kong and Macao, tax certificates are not required, and there is no restriction on the number of people involved. Exhibitors can also apply to adjust the number of people at any time. Based on business needs, individuals registered will be granted the one-year multiple-entry Endorsement for Business Visit, with their stay in Hong Kong and Macao extended to 14 days per visit. Those who have already completed the filing and have an urgent need for business visits to Hong Kong and Macao can request expedited processing of their endorsements.

For the first time, an exit-entry service counter will be set up at the venues of CIFTIS to provide policy-relevant consultation services and appointment services.

(Source: Beijing Daily)