SHENZHEN has put in a lot of work related to getting entry and exit permits, applications for visas, stay or residence permits online to try to help expats during the pandemic, Ma Hong-yan, vice head of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, said Tuesday in a call-in program on Shenzhen Radio.

For Chinese and foreigners involved in epidemic prevention work, the exit-entry department provides a 24-hour expedited approval service.

The bureau has also launched a 24-hour hotline, 84465490, both in Chinese and English, to answer questions about visa-related issues and offer assistance to expats. It has also organized multiple-language volunteers to serve foreign residents in communities, Ma said.

There are more than 30,000 foreigners from around 120 countries living in the city, the majority from South Korea and Japan, according to Ma.

“Before the novel coronavirus outbreak, nearly half of them left the city for holidays or family visits. Most of them have come back to the city so far,” said Ma.

In March, the National Immigration Administration rolled out special measures to facilitate foreigners’ stay in China as well as their arrival and departure amid the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak.

With no need for a separate application, foreigners in China will have their stay or residence permits extended automatically for two months during the epidemic period.

Immigration offices nationwide will issue urgent exit and entry permits within 24 hours for those coming to China for anti-COVID-19 missions, including medical assistance, drug development and academic exchanges.

Like Chinese citizens, foreign residents in China can file applications online and have documents delivered to their homes after issuance.(Han Ximin)