Recently, Beijing introduced special visas and improved entry facilitation for eligible foreign business professionals. Here are the answers to some key questions about the new policy.
最近，北京针对符合条件的外国商务专业人士推出了特殊签证并优化了入境便利措施。以下是一些关于新政策的关键问题解答。
1.What are special visas and customs facilitation measures?
1.什么是特殊签证及海关便利措施？
The Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office issues a special invitation letter for eligible foreign business professionals, granting them a five-year multiple-entry visa with a stay period of 180 days each time. Based on this invitation letter, Chinese consulates abroad will issue a five-year, multiple-entry M visa or an equivalent visa category, with the same 180-day stay period. Applicants are exempt from fingerprint collection and may authorize someone else to apply on their behalf. Additionally, the visa fee is charged for a one-year multiple-entry visa. The Beijing Entry-Exit Frontier Inspection Station will provide entry and exit facilitation for foreign business professionals traveling through Beijing's ports.
北京市外事办公室将为符合条件的外国商务专业人士发放特殊的邀请函，授予他们有效期为5年、每次停留期为180天的多次入境签证。凭借此邀请函，中国驻外使领馆将签有效期发为5年、停留期为180天的多次入境M签证或同等签证类别。申请人免于采集指纹，并可以委托他人代为申请。此外，签证费用按照一年多次入境签证的标准收取。北京出入境边防检查站还将为经北京口岸出入境的外国商务专业人士提供出入境便利。
2.Who are the target recipients of these special visas and customs facilitation measures?
2.这些特殊签证及海关便利措施的目标对象是谁？
These measures apply to foreign business professionals invited by registered businesses in Beijing (the "inviting entity"), who frequently travel to Beijing to engage in commercial activities and contribute positively to the business community. This also includes their spouses and children.
这些措施适用于由北京市注册企业（“邀请单位”）邀请的外国商务专业人士，他们经常前往北京从事商业活动，并对商业社区做出积极贡献。这还包括他们的配偶和子女。
3.What documents must the inviting entity submit when applying for a special visa for foreign business professionals?
3.邀请单位为外国商务专业人士申请特殊签证时需要提交哪些文件？
The inviting entity, which must be a registered company in Beijing, can apply for a special visa and facilitation for foreign business professionals they invite. The required documents include:
邀请单位必须是北京市注册的公司，可以为其邀请的外国商务专业人士申请特殊签证及便利措施。所需文件包括：
(1)The application form, which must be registered and completed on the official website of the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office (wb.beijing.gov.cn), signed by the entity’s authorized representative and stamped with the company’s official seal.
(1) 申请表，必须在北京市外事办公室官方网站（wb.beijing.gov.cn）上注册并填写完整，由单位授权代表签字并加盖公司公章。
(2)A copy of the foreign business professional's passport information page.
(2) 外国商务专业人士护照信息页的复印件。
(3)A schedule for the foreign business professional's first visit to Beijing.
(3) 外国商务专业人士首次访问北京的日程安排。
(4)An invitation letter issued by the inviting entity (with a Chinese translation).
(4) 邀请单位出具的邀请函（附中文翻译）。
(5)Documents proving the ongoing and legitimate business relationship between the inviting entity and the foreign business professional (with the company’s official seal). For invitations of spouses and children, marriage certificates and birth certificates must also be provided.
(5) 证明邀请单位与外国商务专业人士之间持续且合法商业关系的文件（加盖公司公章）。对于配偶和子女的邀请，还需提供结婚证和出生证。
(6)A guarantee letter issued by the inviting entity.
(6) 邀请单位出具的担保函。
(7)The business license of the inviting entity.
(7) 邀请单位的营业执照。
4.Which government department in Beijing should the inviting entity submit the application to?
4.邀请单位应向北京市哪个政府部门提交申请？
The application can be submitted to the foreign affairs department of the district where the business is registered. For inquiries about the special visa policy and customs facilitation, you may contact the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office (55574107) or the Beijing Entry-Exit Frontier Inspection Station (56095092).
申请可以提交至企业注册所在区的外事部门。关于特殊签证政策及海关便利措施的咨询，可联系北京市外事办公室（电话：5557-4107）或北京出入境边防检查站（电话：5609-5092）。
5.邀请单位如何获得特殊邀请函？
Once approved by the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, the inviting entity can download the special invitation letter from the office’s official website. If a physical copy is needed, it can be picked up at the Beijing Foreign Affairs Service Center (2nd floor, Gehua Tower, No. 1 Qinglong Hutong, Dongcheng District).
经北京市外事办公室审核通过后，邀请单位可以从该办公室的官方网站下载特殊邀请函。如果需要纸质版，可在北京市外事服务中心（东城区青龙胡同1号，葛华大厦2层）领取。
6. Is there any fee for applying for the special invitation letter?
6.申请特殊邀请函是否需要缴纳费用？
No, there is no fee for obtaining the special invitation letter.
不，申请特殊邀请函不收取任何费用。
7. How does a foreign business professional apply for a visa after receiving the special invitation letter?
7.外国商务专业人士收到特殊邀请函后如何申请签证？
The foreign business professional can visit the official website of the Chinese embassy or consulate in their country to check the specific requirements for applying for a visa to China.
外国商务专业人士可以访问所在国家的中国大使馆或领事馆的官方网站，查看申请中国签证的具体要求。
8. How can the inviting entity implement customs facilitation measures for eligible foreign business professionals?
8.邀请单位如何为符合条件的外国商务专业人士实施海关便利措施？
The inviting entity must designate a special liaison officer to register with the Beijing Entry-Exit Frontier Inspection Station. The liaison officer is responsible for ensuring the customs facilitation measures are applied. For foreign business professionals entering Beijing, the inviting entity must notify the frontier inspection station five calendar days in advance, so that facilitation measures can be arranged.
邀请单位必须指定一名专项联络员，并在北京出入境边防检查站进行登记。联络员负责确保海关便利措施的实施。对于进入北京的外国商务专业人士，邀请单位需提前五天通知边防检查站，以便安排便利措施。
9. Will the application process be simplified for future applications if the special visa and customs facilitation have already been approved?
9.如果特殊签证和海关便利措施已经获批，后续申请流程是否会简化？
Once an invitation from an entity is approved, the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office will maintain an electronic record for that entity. For subsequent applications for different foreign professionals from the same entity, documents like the business license will no longer be required.
一旦某单位的邀请获得批准，北京市外事办公室将为该单位保留电子记录。对于同一单位后续为不同外国专业人士申请时，营业执照等文件将不再需要重复提交。
10. Can foreign business professionals engage in non-business activities after entering China on a special visa?
10.外国商务专业人士持特殊签证入境中国后能否从事非商务活动？
Foreign business professionals are required to engage solely in commercial and trade activities. If they are found engaging in illegal activities after entering China under the special visa, they will be subject to legal action in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations.
外国商务专业人士仅允许从事商业和贸易活动。如果他们被发现持特殊签证入境中国后从事非法活动，将根据中国法律法规受到法律制裁。
