Expats give thumbs up for speedy visa processing in Zhoushan

An American pilot from Boeing goes through the process of his visa extension at the exit and entry administration window of the Public Security Bureau of Zhoushan on Nov 14. [Photo/wifizs.cn]

Within ten minutes or so, an American pilot from Boeing saw the extension of his Visa C (a visa for air crew members and seamen) processed at the exit and entry administration window of the Public Security Bureau of Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on Nov 14. 

"I really appreciate the fast speed and high quality of the visa services here," said the pilot. 

This is the first time that the city has conducted Visa C extensions for expats, which is different from the normal situation for a Visa C extension, as it is for foreign pilots to stay for further trial flights of aircrafts involved in the Boeing 737 Completion and Delivery Center project that has settled in the city. 

In addition, five ocean-going seamen from Indonesia also obtained their work permits and residence permits at the window that day, and gave a thumb up for the city's streamlined visa processing for expats. 

With its further opening up, the city has now seen 9,000 foreign vessels arriving at its ports every year, with over 100,000 seamen needing to obtain a transit visa, which places higher requirements on the city's visa processing efficiency. 

Zhoushan took the initiative among other cities in the province in March to allow expats to fulfill work permit or work-type residence permit applications at only one window, offering greater convenience and with the hope of creating a more favorable business climate for expats.

Moreover, the city also released special measures for foreign seamen to get a visa quickly, with over 85 percent of the transit visas fulfilled in only two work days, according to Ma Hongbo, deputy head of the city's exit and entry administration.

The exit and entry administration window of the Public Security Bureau of Zhoushan has processed over 800 work-type permits since March, providing much convenience for expats and companies.

The work permit for foreigners who work in China [Photo/wifizs.cn]

Five ocean-going seamen from Indonesia give a thumb up for the city's streamlining visa processing on Nov 14 at the exit and entry administration of the Public Security Bureau of Zhoushan. [Photo/wifizs.cn]