Beijing-based foreigners face visa crackdown

Foreigners in Beijing will be subject to a tighter enforcement of visa restrictions ahead of next year's Olympic Games, the Wall Street Journal reported. The authorities have already begun targeting foreigners living or working in the city under expired or misused visas, making spot checks at homes and hotels. These checks have in some cases resulted in fines, detentions and deportations. On Tuesday, the US embassy informed American citizens in Beijing that the push to ensure foreigners have valid visas is "in preparation for the Olympics." An embassy notice released last month alerted residents to new regulations that, among other things, prevent visa conversions, for example from tourist to worker status. It was claimed that the heightened checks originate from government concern over terrorists or politically outlawed groups preparing to undermine the Olympics.