On September 1, the Beijing Municipal Government will begin implementation of a new “passport on demand” policy meant to simplify procedures for applying for passrts.

Under the new rules, applicants just need to present identification cards and hukou (residence registration), negating previous demands for a thick stack of various documents. Among the dropped requirements is written permission from work units.

Municipal residents can directly go to the Exit-Entry Administration of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau to apply for personal passports, or send in their applications and documents through EMS. The administration will issue passports within 10 working days after checking the required documentation.

People from other provinces and municipalities in China that live in Beijing and have worked for foreign businesses, joint ventures or firms in the private sector for over one year can also apply for the easier passports.

However, people with special status, such as some government officials and managers of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises, must still obtain permission from their work units when applying for passports.

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