Foreign citizens visiting China for business or pleasure can enter the country by obtaining a visa on arrival at the border city of Khorgas in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, as of February 18.
The border checkpoint is the first border crossing in northwestern China where arrival visas are available, reported xinjiangnet.com, a news portal under the administration of the local government of the regional capital, Urumqi.
The visa-on-arrival policy can apply to foreigners who require emergency entry to China, including those invited to the country on urgent business or to perform rush repair work. The policy can also apply to tourist groups.
According to an official with the management committee of the Khorgas border checkpoint, the on-arrival visa can be issued within 12 hours and will allow recipients to stay in China for 7 to 30 days, depending on the type of visa an individual requests.
Previously, a foreign citizen entering China via Khorgas had to have been invited to China three months in advance. They also needed to apply for a visa at their local Chinese embassy or consulate, a process which would take at least a month.
The new policy has greatly shortened the waiting time, providing great convenience for foreign citizens, businessmen and scholars in Central Asia. It can also promote the development of tourism and business in Khorgas, the report said.
Khorgas has established two offices in the city and at the border crossing to issue on-arrival visas to foreigners.
