Many are upset by the recent restrictions on visas, particularly for F visas, but also tourist visas. Many people who wanted to visit Beijing to watch the Games, to give support to athletes or simply explore the city during the mega event are denied a visa. New stringent rules make it as good as impossible to stay with friends, to use private apartments or to simply be “here”.
Genuine business visas for genuine urgent trips are denied.
All that is of course wrong. It hurts tourism and business, and Beijing shoots itself in the foot (they are good at that).
Many who have worked and lived for years in a row on F visas suddenly are shown the door. No more quick trips to Hong Kong to get a six months multiple visa. One needs to return to his country of residence, submit newly requested documents to get a maximum one month visa. If they are lucky, they get it but many are refused visas. One needs to be legally married too, “legal partners” are not granted “spouse visas” anymore
The Chinese authorities are not completely to blame. Many of those business people have used F visas to avoid registration and taxes. They should have applied for work permits and Z visas. Until now China has been very lenient and welcoming and many have tried their luck here seeking jobs and opportunities without following the rules. Just try this in Europe or the USA, you would be expelled or worse. China is just enforcing the law as other countries do.
Only timing is poorly chosen but many Chinese defend this clampdown, as the “Olympics are a great opportunity to clean up”. Not a good PR in my opinion as many of those F people are good friends of China – now they are becoming bitter. The clampdown should have been done long time ago. Now many are scrambling to get their situation regularized but are forced to leave and return later.
Many feel those “new” rules will not fade away after September but will continue to be enforced for those who want actually work and live here.
Other victims will be expats well over 60: no more work permits and visas. Now here I think this is a stupid law (not a new one by the way!), those people often greatly contribute through their expertise. Pure age discrimination, maybe the French are to blame here with their many silly restrictions in the job market.