Also taking effect on 15 September is a new 14-article ‘Filing and Public-Information Measures for Exit-Entry Intermediary Service Providers,’ jointly issued by the National Immigration Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation. From today, every law firm, consulting boutique or recruitment agency that assists foreigners with Chinese visas—or helps Chinese nationals secure permits to go abroad—must file detailed information on ownership, staffing, scope of services and compliance history with the local exit-entry division of the public-security bureau. The authorities will publish an online directory of registered providers and update it in real time. Unregistered firms may no longer advertise immigration services, and agencies found to have supplied false documents face fines and possible criminal liability under the Exit-Entry Administration Law. Individuals operating without a licence are subject to personal blacklisting. For corporate HR teams, the filing system offers greater transparency when selecting external immigration vendors. Multinationals can verify, in one national portal, whether a service provider has an active filing and whether it has been flagged for violations. However, companies that run in-house visa desks for expatriate staff must now decide whether to file as intermediaries; some may spin off those functions to avoid extra compliance burdens. Market analysts expect consolidation in a sector that has grown explosively over the past decade. Small ‘fly-by-night’ agents are unlikely to meet the new requirements for dedicated office space, certified consultants and data-security protocols. Larger firms specialising in high-volume student, HNWI and tech-talent cases see an opportunity to capture market share. The reform aligns with Beijing’s broader effort to professionalise the immigration services industry and curb document fraud, an area that has drawn scrutiny amid rising geopolitical tensions. Companies engaging third-party visa or assignment support should request proof of filing immediately and update vendor due-diligence checklists.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
