Government Moves to Fix CPEC Chinese Visa Delays
The government is working on a set of measures to address delays in visas and movement for Chinese nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, after Chinese enterprises raised concerns about the process. The CPEC Chinese visa delays have centred on entry and extension cases, and on the movement of company executives between project sites.
Sources told The Express Tribune that the government may direct the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to address the complaints and to operationalise the airstrip at Chilas, in Gilgit-Baltistan, to ease travel for project executives. The ministry concerned also wants Wapda to expedite the procurement of helicopters for the same purpose.
CPEC Chinese visa delays: what has changed already
The visa process for Chinese nationals has already been shortened sharply. Sources said the security clearance process previously took about four to six weeks. That timeline has now been standardised at seven days, a reduction of up to 83 per cent.
The seven-day timeline applies to all visa categories that fall within the ambit of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control. The government has also streamlined approval under the Pakistan Online Visa System, while keeping the required security checks in place.
Delays still occur, however, and officials point to application errors as a leading cause. Employees of Chinese companies frequently apply under the Business Visa category instead of the correct Work Visa category. Those applications are returned or refused, or the applicant must file a fresh request, which adds weeks to the process.
Why movement, not just visas, is part of the problem
The complaints from Chinese enterprises cover two linked issues: the visa process itself, and the movement of Chinese nationals once they are in Pakistan. Project executives need to travel between sites, often in remote areas, and the proposals under discussion reflect that need.
Operationalising the Chilas airstrip would give executives a quicker route into the northern project areas, rather than long road journeys. Helicopter procurement would serve the same purpose for sites that are hard to reach by road. Both ideas remain proposals at this stage, and no final decision has been reported.
The Ministry of Interior briefs officials on the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), the timelines required, and proposed improvements. Comprehensive security SOPs for Chinese nationals, projects and infrastructure are in place. Those SOPs were formulated and revised in consultation with stakeholders, including the Military Operations Directorate and the Chinese Embassy, and they cover internal and external movement.
Limits on what Pakistan can change alone
The Interior Ministry says it cannot amend the existing SOPs unilaterally. Any proposed change requires consultation with, and the agreement of, all provincial governments and relevant stakeholders.
Visa facilitation is also governed by reciprocity, and sources said the facilitation currently extended by the Chinese side is understood to be limited to holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Officials also note a security dimension. Instances of Chinese nationals being allegedly involved in unlawful activities have been reported, and some have been deported. The regime therefore tries to balance easier access for genuine project staff with intact immigration and security checks.
What the government is asking companies to do
Several of the measures under discussion place duties on the companies themselves, not only on the state. Sponsoring ministries and organisations, and Chinese enterprises, must ensure that applications are filed in the correct category, particularly the work category for company employees, with complete documents.
Project management must also coordinate movement plans with the security authorities in advance. That step, officials say, would prevent last-minute travel problems that are often reported as visa delays, even when the visa itself was processed on time.
Feature Pakistan reported on recent talks between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the Chinese envoy on CPEC progress. Feature Pakistan also reported on the Rs500 billion power dues linked to CPEC projects, which shows that the corridor’s working problems are not limited to visas.
