China to crack down on expats working illegally

CHINA aims to curb illegal entry, stay and employment of foreigners, something which has developed into a "prominent problem" in the world's second largest economy.

The State Council yesterday submitted a draft law on exit and entry administration to the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the country's top legislature, for its first reading.

The existing law on exit and entry administration, established 26 years ago when China was far from "the world's workshop," barely mentioned illegal employment of foreigners in China.

Under the draft, foreigners must get work permits and residence certificates before being employed.

Foreigners who work illegally in China will be fined between 5,000 yuan (US$792) and 20,000 yuan, and may be detained from five to 15 days for serious violations.

Those who illegally provide job placement services for foreigners or illegally employ foreigners would be also fined.

"We shall put forth efforts on regularizing foreigners who are working in China, do better in visa issuing, and strengthen residential management of foreigners," Yang Huanning, deputy minister of public security, said yesterday.

As a populous country, China would like to introduce more high-end professionals and limit the inflow of low-end workers, Yang said.

If a foreigner holds a visa allowing a maximum stay of 180 days, he or she will not need to apply for a residence certificate. If the visa allows a stay longer than 180 days and indicates that a residence certificate is needed, he or she must apply for it within 30 days after entering the country.

According to the draft law, the period of validity of a residence certificate will vary from 180 days to five years.

During their stay in China, foreigners should carry valid identity documents and submit to police inspection, according to the draft law.

It also stipulates that foreigners can apply to the police for a permanent residence certificate if an individual makes a significant contribution to China's economic and social development, or meets relevant requirements of permanent residence.

Foreigners who apply to stay in China as refugees will be granted a temporary-stay permit during an investigation and receive a refugee identity document for living in China after an application is approved.

An article about the collection of biological information for the use of border control is in the draft. It grants police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the right to issue regulations on the collection and storing of biological information, such as fingerprints of travelers entering and exiting China.

Collecting biological information will help identify travelers, improve the efficiency of border control and protect state security, Yang said.

According to the government, the number of people entering and exiting China has increased by 10 percent annually since 1990. In 2010, the number reached 382 million, including 52 million foreigners.

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