Multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020 can now be reused until they expire, Chinese authorities announced this week after they were suspended during the pandemic.
The country began issuing single-entry business visas again in July 2022, but individuals hoping to obtain them will need to forfeit all existing multiple-entry visas, present their passports to the embassy and secure references.
That, according to David Weeks, co-founder and chief operating officer of Sunrise International Education, has deterred university recruiting teams in North America, who normally hold 10-year visas, from returning to the country.
Weeks predicted a return of college recruiters to China now that restrictions have been lifted.
“It’s hugely helpful because it removes cost, uncertainty and another barrier to travel.”
“There are a lot of recruiting events in March, April, May and then even more so in the fall,” he said.
“It’s not like you’re going to see a faucet turn on, but I think especially for universities in Canada and the U.S. that don’t have local representatives, it’s extremely helpful because it removes the cost, the uncertainty, and another barrier to travel.”
China has also resumed issuing tourist visas, marking the end of severe travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
“The symbolic significance is great in that it expresses that China wants to bring back people-to-people exchanges,” Weeks said.
He emphasized the importance of personal recruitment in the Chinese market.
“China is in many ways a less trusted company than the EU in North America. And I think one of the ways to build trust is through personal interactions and handshakes,” he said.
Weeks added that face-to-face meetings can also help allay parents’ security concerns and diplomatic tensions.
The latest data on US higher education showed a sharp decline in the number of Chinese students in the country, down 9% in 2021/22 compared to the previous year.
Speaking at the release of the data in November, Ethan Rosenzweig, deputy assistant secretary for academic programs at the US State Department, said recruiting from China was a priority, adding that he was “looking forward to the PRC opening its borders to US universities. recruitment in person’.
