With the 2025 Spring Festival on the horizon, both the Chinese government offices and overseas embassies are gearing up for their holiday schedules. As per the announcement from the General Office of the State Council, this year’s Spring Festival break will commence on January 28 (Lunar New Year’s Eve, a Tuesday) and continue until February 4 (the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, also a Tuesday), spanning a full 8-day period.
随着2025年春节的临近，中国政府机构和海外使馆都在准备进入假期模式。根据国务院办公厅的通知，今年的春节假期将从1月28日（农历除夕，周二）开始，一直持续到2月4日（农历正月初七，也是周二），总共为期8天。
During this interval, domestic immigration departments and consular service halls at Chinese diplomatic missions abroad will temporarily halt their operations. To prevent any hold-ups in visa or permanent residency applications due to the holiday, it is highly recommended that you take the following preemptive actions:
在此期间，国内的移民管理部门以及中国驻外使领馆的领事服务大厅将暂时停止办公。为了避免因假期导致签证或永久居留申请出现延误，建议您提前采取以下预防措施：
1. Spring Festival & Work Visa Deadlines
1. 春节与工作签证截止日期
Holiday Closure & Backlogs: The Spring Festival kicks off on January 28. With government offices closed and significant backlogs expected in February, it is crucial to submit your application before January 28 to avoid prolonged delays.
假期关闭与积压：春节将于1月28日开始。由于政府部门关闭且预计2月会有大量积压，因此在1月28日之前提交申请以避免长时间延误至关重要。
Urgent Work Visa Timelines:
紧急工作签证时间表：
Extensions: Begin preparations now for renewals by late February. Any delays might push approvals into March or even April.
延期：现在开始准备2月底的续签。任何延误可能会使批准推迟到3月甚至4月。
New/Changed Work Visas: If you have the necessary police clearance, you might be able to secure approval by March; otherwise, expect the process to stretch into April.
新/变更工作签证：如果您有必要的警方无犯罪记录证明，您可能能够在3月获得批准；否则，整个流程可能会延续到4月。
New Company + Work Visa: If you start the process now, you could potentially obtain your business license by early March and finalize your visa by April.
新公司 + 工作签证：如果您现在开始办理，您可能能够在3月初获得营业执照，并在4月完成签证手续。
2. Validate Work Visa Application Materials
2. 核实工作签证申请材料
If you are in the process of applying for a work visa, it is essential to verify the validity of your application materials, such as your criminal record certificate, medical examination report, and passport. If any of these documents are set to expire around or after the Spring Festival, it is wise to submit them as soon as possible. Expired documents will render your application invalid, necessitating a resubmission.
如果您正在申请工作签证，核实申请材料的有效性至关重要，这些材料包括无犯罪记录证明、体检报告和护照。如果这些文件将在春节前后或之后到期，建议您尽快提交。过期的文件将使您的申请无效，需要重新提交。
3. Examine Work Visa and Passport Expiry Dates
3. 检查工作签证和护照有效期
If your work visa is set to expire before May, ensure that your passport remains valid for at least another six months. If not, consider applying for a new passport at the embassy. Passport renewal can take up to a month, and in some cases, you may need to return to your home country to complete the renewal process. Be sure to allocate sufficient time for this, as any delays could impact your ability to apply for a new work visa.
如果您的工作签证将在5月之前到期，请确保您的护照有效期至少还有六个月。如果不是，请考虑在使馆申请新护照。护照续期可能需要长达一个月的时间，而且在某些情况下，您可能需要返回本国完成续期过程。请务必为此留出足够的时间，因为任何延误都可能影响您申请新的工作签证。
4. Confirm Permanent Residency Application Materials
4. 确认永久居留申请材料
If you are preparing to apply for permanent residency in China, it is vital to stay informed about the status of your application and verify the validity of all required materials. This proactive approach will help you avoid any delays caused by expired documents during the holiday season.
如果您正在准备申请中国的永久居留，请确保了解申请的最新状态并核实所有所需材料的有效性。这种积极主动的做法将帮助您避免因文件过期而在假日期间造成的延误。
5. Submit Your Visa Application for China Early
5. 提前提交赴华签证申请
If you are planning a trip to China in February, whether for business or leisure, it is imperative to prepare and submit your visa application promptly. Given that visa approval typically takes 2-5 working days, early submission is highly recommended to ensure your application is processed before the holiday break.
如果您计划在2月前往中国，无论是出差还是旅游，及时准备并提交签证申请至关重要。鉴于签证审批通常需要2-5个工作日，建议您尽早提交申请，以确保在假期前完成审批。Additional Tip: Considering the potential for extended processing times during the holiday, it is also a good idea to check with the relevant consular offices for any specific holiday-related advisories or changes in processing times.
额外提示：鉴于假日期间可能出现的处理时间延长，建议您向相关领事办公室咨询任何与假期相关的特别通知或处理时间的变化。
