The new regulations to be implemented under The Exit and Entry Administration Law (《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》) are expected to take effect sometime during the next couple of days. In our previous blog we mentioned some of the major changes; that there would be a new professional visa, the current “F” visa will be changed to “M”, and that a noncriminal record will be required.

It turns out that there are much more than just three changes taking effect, and the new armada of visa letters can be really overwhelming. Work visas and student visas both split into two subgroups, one for short-term visits, and one for long-term stays. The same applies for journalist visas. On top of this, there will be an additional four new types of visas: “M” visa for business and trade, “Q” for visiting family members,”R” for highly-skilled professionals, and “S” for private activities.

Those at The Law Library of Congress broke down the rules and articles, and expanded upon the changes, which are shown in the chart below.

Image courtesy of Flickr, by Karl Baron.

Still confused? Don’t worry, have a bowl of this visa alphabet soup.

Get all your Visa queries answered at the- New Visa Regulation Seminar- November 22nd, The Bridge Cafe (Wudaokou)