By Chris Quan
With vaccinations and a decline in COVID-19 cases worldwide, China’s efforts to control the pandemic may relax: China may open its borders in October this year.
Foreign nationals currently in China can travel in China as long as they have the required documents including ID (usually passport) and a green health code.
Foreign nationals in China now can make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For example, in Shanghai, foreign people can make the appointment on the App: 健康云 (Health Cloud) from March 29th, 2021.
When Will China Open Its Borders?
China may open its borders to visitors in October 2021 according to current trends:
- The use of COVID-19 vaccines around the world is improving the situation. According to the World Health Organization, more than 40 countries have started vaccinating.
- At present, more than 15 million people have been vaccinated in China. According to Zhang Wenhong, a famous China medical expert, China will have mostly finished vaccinating by September and could reopen to the world.
- Preparations for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games (2022.2.4–20) are still proceeding.
Can I Travel to China Now?
Possibly. Foreign nationals can travel to China now if they meet one of the following requirements:
- holding a valid Chinese residence permit for work, personal matters, or reunion;
- or holding a diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visa;
- or holding a valid visa issued after March 28th, 2020.
We suggest purchasing your ticket to China after you confirm that your visa application was successful.
How Can I Appy for a New Visa?
You can apply for a new visa at your nearest Chinese consulate/embassy/VAC (Visa Application Center) to enter China for the following three purposes (documents listed are for reference only).
The new visa may only be valid for three months. Upon arrival it may change to a 30-day visa during which time you need to apply for another residence permit.
1. For Work (Z Visa)
To apply, you’ll need:
- A “Foreigners Work Permit” or equivalent document (to be handled by your company/organization in China)
- An “Invitation Letter (PU/TE)” (to be handled by your company/organization in China). If you have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China, PU/TE is not necessary.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months (+ previous passport/visa photocopies and prof of legal stay if not applying in your country of citizenship)
- A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48 x 33 mm)
- A completed visa application form
Latest news: Starting from 15 March 2021, Foreign nationals and their family members visiting the mainland of China for resuming work and production in various fields need only to provide the documents required before the COVID-19 pandemic when applying for a visa. No need for an “Invitation Letter (PU/TE).
You need to have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China (either having received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or having received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application) and obtained the vaccination certificate.
2. For Business (M Visa)
To apply, you’ll need:
- An “Invitation Letter (PU/TE)” or details of commercial activity document (to be handled by your business partner). If you have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China, PU/TE is not necessary.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months (+ previous passport/visa photocopies and prof of legal stay if not applying in your country of citizenship)
- A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48 x 33 mm)
- A complete visa application form
Latest news: Starting from 15 March 2021, holders of valid APEC business travel cards may apply for the M visa by presenting the original valid APEC business travel card and the invitation letter issued by the inviting party in the mainland of China.
You need to have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China (either having received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or having received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application) and obtained the vaccination certificate.
What Documents to Prepare before Boarding
If you succeed in applying for a visa, then you should prepare these documents before boarding your flight:
- Valid passport and valid visa
- Hardcopies of COVID-19 nucleic acid and IgM serum antibody negative test results (no more than 2 days before departure)
- Hardcopy of a certified Health Declaration Form (HDF) or a Health Declaration Code (HDC) — electronic or hardcopy
How to Get an HDC or HDF
- Take the required tests within 2 days before departure (whether or not you have the COVID-19 vaccine): COVID-19 nucleic acid and IgM serum antibody tests in designated labs or institutions.
- Submit the negative test certificates issued by the testing organization and other information on the China Health Declaration Certificate website.
- If confirmed, you will get a certified HDF/HDC from the website.
When boarding the flight, the test certificates and the HDF/HDC needs to be presented to the airline staff.
Quarantining in China
Passengers (whether or not you have the COVID-19 vaccine) are required to be quarantined for 14 days at an assembly site.
Upon arrival, you will fill out a Declaration of Health, have your body temperature measured, and have a nucleic acid test at the airport.
You will be sent to a hotel assigned by the government directly from the airport.
The expenses during the quarantine period are normally about CN¥400–600 (for board and lodging) per day in the hotel and at your own cost.
Can I Choose the Hotel for Quarantine?
The quarantined hotels are assigned by the government. In general, you can’t choose among the designated quarantined hotels.
If you’re traveling with family or a partner, you could ask the staff to help arrange your quarantine in the same hotel.
Can Couples Stay in One Room?
It depends on each hotel’s requirements. Some hotels allow couples or families to live in one room, while some require each person to stay in a single room. (In general, children under the age of 14 can be quarantined with a parent.)
You can only know the specific requirements when you arrive at the hotel.
If you have furthur question please contact us for free consultation.