The outbreak of new coronary pneumonia continued to spread globally.

　　As of 7:04 on April 16, Beijing time, there were more than 2.05 million confirmed cases worldwide, and a total of more than 130,000 deaths.

　　The epidemic situation is grim, and many countries have extended the "blockade order", and it is not yet known when the "blockade" will be released.

　　Some Chinese compatriots staying overseas are in a hurry. What should I do if the visa is about to expire?

　　Obviously, many countries have also thought of this, and have introduced visa extension policies.

On April 14th, the "Checkpoint Charlie" in Berlin, Germany, had no sights of tourists. (Photo by China News Service reporter Peng Dawei)

　　On April 15, the Chinese Embassy in Qatar issued a reply from the Qatar Foreign Ministry on visa extension.

　　The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar said that Qatar allows countries to apply for visa extensions for cardholders for a short period of one month. The policy will continue to be extended according to the actual situation until the relevant national airport is reopened and citizens of each country can return to China smoothly. Applicants can apply for a visa extension through the Qatar Ministry of Interior Metarash 2 APP and the Ministry of Interior website.

　　On the same day, the website of the Embassy in Algeria also issued a notice. After learning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior of Afghanistan, foreign citizens affected by the epidemic situation that have expired visas and residence permits in Afghanistan can go to the foreigners ’circulation office in the province where they live The visa is valid for 30 days and can be renewed after the expiry date.

　　The United States, the United Kingdom and other countries have previously introduced corresponding visa extension policies.

United States

　　On April 13, the USCIS issued a notice regarding the legal status of non-immigrant detention in the United States.

　　The notice stated that most non-immigrants can apply for an extension of stay in the United States (EOS) or change their status to stay in the United States. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services is now receiving and processing applications for extensions, and many forms can be found on the USCIS official website.

　　If you can submit your application in time before your status expires. When the immigration office has received the submitted materials and the application status is shown as pending, it is not illegally detained.

　　If you fail to submit materials in time before your status expires, there must be sufficient evidence that the failure to submit materials in time is caused by the New Corona Virus pandemic, and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services will assess each case.

A passenger wearing a mask walks past the terminal at Reagan Washington National Airport. (Zhongxin)

　　Earlier, the United States Immigration Service (USCIS) had stated that Chinese citizens who stayed in the United States on a short-term US B1, B2 visa, etc., and could not leave the United States as scheduled due to the impact of the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic. Apply online to extend your visa stay on the visa extension application page.

United Kingdom

　　The British Ministry of the Interior updated the visa and residence guidelines for the new coronary pneumonia epidemic on March 24, announcing that foreign citizens currently in the UK and holding a British visa that expires between January 24 and May 31, such as due to new coronary pneumonia If the travel restrictions or self-isolation regulations caused by the epidemic prevent you from leaving the UK on time, your visa can be extended until May 31.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, Edinburgh Airport is empty. (Zhongxin)

　　Relevant personnel must provide information such as name, date of birth, nationality, and current visa number to the British Immigration Working Group on New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic Situation, and explain why they cannot leave the UK on time. The British Ministry of the Interior will notify the parties concerned after the visa extension procedure is completed.

　　In addition, some long-term visas that need to return to the country of residence under the current regulations can also be submitted directly in the UK before May 31.

Germany

　　On April 9th, the German Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs website issued a notice saying that people who cannot temporarily leave Germany after the expiry of the Schengen visa due to the epidemic situation do not need to bear the responsibility for illegal detention, and no need to go through the residence permit procedure until June 30, 2020. Before June 30, those whose Schengen visas expired are still allowed to work.

In Hamburg, Germany, a passenger passes the terminal at Helmut Schmidt Airport.

　　This interim regulation was announced on April 9 and will take effect on April 10. The German Federal Ministry of the Interior will assess whether to extend this interim measure after June 30 based on the situation.

Russia

　　On March 31, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that regardless of the purpose of staying in Russia, the visa validity period is extended by 90 days.

　　As of March 19, 2020, foreign citizens traveling to Russia may submit an application (non-fixed format) to the regional immigration bureau nearest to their actual residence, which may extend the temporary stay in Russia.

On March 30 local time, all citizens of Moscow began to isolate themselves at home regardless of age. Russia's new coronavirus epidemic prevention and control headquarters issued a message that day, in the past day and night, 302 new cases of new coronavirus infection in Russia, the cumulative number of new coronavirus infection reached 1,836 people. The picture shows that the leisure facilities in the residential area have been closed. (Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Xiujun)

　　Those who enter the country visa-free and have exceeded the prescribed period of stay can also apply for extension. Foreign citizens with a short-term or long-term status of 3 years in Russia may apply for an extension if the relevant documents have expired.

　　The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs had previously stated that the visa validity period would be extended due to the spread of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, but did not indicate the extended period.

Korea

　　The South Korean Ministry of Legal Affairs said on April 9 that in order to prevent the spread of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, it decided to automatically extend the visa expiration time for foreigners registered in South Korea by 3 months.

At the Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, people wearing masks walked across the big screen. (Zhongxin)

　　The measure will apply to approximately 60,000 foreigners registered in Korea whose visas expire before May 31. However, non-professional employment (E-9), crew employment (E-10) and other visas do not apply to this measure, these people can apply for extension through online application or employer agent.

　　As early as February 24, the Ministry of Justice once extended the visa expiry date of foreigners registered in South Korea to April 30.

　　In addition, the Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor said on the 13th that the employment activities of non-professional employment visa holders (E-9) whose employment activities expire from April 14 to June 30 will be extended by 50 days. The measures will involve 18,500 people.

Italy

　　On the website of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, the latest notice on the automatic extension of the visa and residence period was issued by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior.

　　The notice stated that during the epidemic, the validity period of visas, residence permits, etc. for citizens of the accident country was automatically extended. The validity period of residence that expires from January 31 to April 15 in 2020 will be extended to June 15, 2020.

On April 10 local time, the periphery of the Roman Coliseum monument was fixed with a warning tape. (Zhongxin)

　　People who hold a visa (or visa-free) are concerned about short-term stay, even if the visa expires, they can continue to care about stay. The immigration windows of police stations around Italy are temporarily closed. At this stage, visa expiry personnel do not need to go through any visa extension procedures. After the epidemic is alleviated or the control measures are cancelled, they can leave the country normally.

South Africa

　　On April 14, the South African Ministry of the Interior issued an official statement to sort out and explain the temporary visa grace policy for South Africa during the national ban.

　　The statement said that the temporary visa grace policy will continue until July 31, 2020, and those who enjoy the grace policy include:

　　Foreigners whose South African visas expire on or after February 15, 2020.

　　Foreigners who can prove that they have submitted their visa extension application before February 15, 2020 and have not received the approval result can also enjoy the relevant policies.

　　The person concerned should be a foreigner legally entering South Africa.

On the 4th and 1st local time, a street performer wears protective masks and gloves in Johannesburg, South Africa. Affected by the epidemic, South Africa has implemented a nationwide "closure". (Photo by Wang Xin, reporter from China News Service)

　　The Ministry of the Interior has also announced policy grace measures for expired visas:

　　Foreigners who hold a short-term visa for South Africa that expires on or after February 15, 2020, and do not apply for a new visa before the ban are not considered as illegal stays or restricted persons.

　　Persons whose visas expire before or during the ban will not be arrested or detained for holding expired visas.

Saudi Arabia

　　On March 23, the website of the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia released the adjustment of the residence permit and visa policy for foreigners by the Saudi Arabian Passport Administration. The adjustment measures include:

　　From now until June 30, foreigners who have expired their Saudi residence permits can extend their residence permits for free for 3 months.

　　During the period when Saudi Arabia prohibits entry and exit, a work visa that has been issued but not used (even if the visa is covered in the passport), the owner can apply for a refund of the visa fee or extend the work visa for free for 3 months.

The crowds of landmarks under the global epidemic are scarce. The picture shows the King Fahd Library near Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. (Zhongxin)

　　The General Administration of Passports also announced that the extension period for foreigners in Saudi Arabia is the same as the current period of stay for visa holders, which can exceed 180 days. Applicants should apply within seven days before and three days after the expiry of the visa.

　　In addition to these, visa policies of some countries are constantly being updated, and small partners in need can timely pay attention to the information released by the local immigration department.

　　Xiaoqiao also reminded his friends abroad to stabilize their minds and pay attention to protection. The epidemic will eventually pass!

　　Author / Editor: Xu Wenxin