疫情防控期间常见问题（一）——外国人在华签证、居留

问题1：关于因防疫期间国家和地方采取防控措施或因其他国家对来自中国的航班或人员采取入境限制等情况，导致外国人可能因为签证/居留到期而造成滞留等问题。

回复：根据我国出境入境管理法规定，外国人应在签证、停留居留证件到期前出境，需要继续在华停留居留的应当到公安机关出入境管理部门办理签证、停留居留证件延期手续。根据有关法律规定和当前实际，对因疫情防控原因难以按时出境且无法及时办理签证、停居留证件延期手续的，移民管理机构可依法依规视情从轻、减轻或免予逾期居留处罚。

Question 1:What to do if a foreigner’s visa or residence permit expires during the epidemic prevention and control period?

 Answer: According to Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC, foreigners should exit China or apply for extension at the EEA authorities before the visa, stay or residence permit expires . In light of the relevant laws and regulations and current situation, those who are unable to exit as scheduled or extend the visas, stay or residence permits due to the reason of epidemic prevention and control shall be given a lighter or mitigated or be exempted from punishment by the EEA authorities depending upon circumstances.

问题2：疫情防控期间，怎么办理外国人在华签证、停留居留证件等？

回复：疫情防控期间，全国公安机关出入境管理部门将继续为外国人提供签证延期和停留居留证件办理服务，保障外国人合法停留居留，对有紧急需要的将加急办理相关证件。为有效避免人员聚集，公安机关出入境管理部门结合实际将安排预约办证服务，外国人可提前联系、合理安排办证时间。对接待外国人较多的高校、科研院所、企事业单位等机构，出入境管理部门将根据办证需求，视情允许代办证件或提供其他必要的办证便利。

Question 2:How can foreigners extend visas and apply for residence permits during the epidemic prevention and control period?

Answer: All exit-entry administration(EEA) authorities in China will be in full service for extension and issuance of visa and stay or residence permits to ensure foreigners' legitimate stay in China. Urgent services for emergency situations will also be provided. To avoid crowds gathering risks, the EEA authorities will make arrangements for services on appointments. Foreigners could make appointments in advance for any applications. For those institutions which host high numbers of foreigners, such as universities, scientific research institutes and business enterprises, the EEA authorities will allow additional agent service or provide other necessary conveniences depending upon the situation.