China Immigration: Surge in exit-entry permits application

World
Europe

02:09

China's new simplified passport application process became an instant hit on day one. Tens of thousands of Chinese applied for passports, exit and entry cards, and other immigration documents on Monday, the first day the new measure took effect. As CGTN's Wu Guoxiu shows us, it's yet another chapter in China's opening up to the world, and vice versa.

The first day of the month, and the dawn of a new era. 22 thousand Chinese applied for new passports Monday, the first day of the nation's new policy allowing citizens to apply for travel documents without returning to their hometowns.

With the new measure slated to save people 20 billion yuan a year, immigration offices handled 77 thousand total applications Monday, including exit and entry permits.

With China's National Immigration Administration marking one year in operation this week, it vows to create more favorable conditions to welcome more foreign businesses, investors and tourists to China.

The office also supports more Chinese going abroad for tourism, business and study.

XU GANLU, DIRECTOR NATIONAL IMMIGRATION ADMINISTRATION "We made decisive reforms last year, including allowing travelers from 59 nationalities to enjoy visa-free to travel to Hainan, and making sure Chinese citizens only needed one trip to an immigration office to apply for documents."

The International Organization for Immigration says it's extending cooperation with China in border management and policy research.

GIUSEPPE CROCETTI, REPRESENTATIVE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR IMMIGRATION "Coupled with the growing importance of international migration from and to China, the establishment of NIA created a unique window of opportunity for IOM and NIA to further strengthen their ongoing cooperation on various aspects of migration governance."

WU GUOXIU BEIJING "The Administration says it will better serve China's further opening up, reducing time and financial costs for making exit-entry documents. But officials say they will also fight against terrorism and firmly against illegal immigration. Wu Guoxiu, CGTN, Beijing."