Can You Get Into China?

[newacct]

There was a new announcement a week ago about visa application procedures for M, F, Z, S, Q, R, C visas (here is the one from the embassy; the same notice is on the consulate websites too). I am not sure if this means that unexpired visas of these types from before COVID can be used, or whether one would still need to apply for a new visa regardless.

[Martin B]

1 hour ago, newacct said:

There was a new announcement a week ago about visa application procedures for M, F, Z, S, Q, R, C visas (here is the one from the embassy; the same notice is on the consulate websites too). I am not sure if this means that unexpired visas of these types from before COVID can be used, or whether one would still need to apply for a new visa regardless.

From what I remember reading, I'm almost 100% sure that pre-COVID visas are still suspended, but it'd be good to confirm with the consulate.

Even if you can pick up a visa, flights are so limited and outrageously expensive that, for all intents and purposes, there is still a travel ban. Plus you're still looking at a minimum of 14 days quarantine upon arrival. 

[Randy W]

11 hours ago, newacct said:

There was a new announcement a week ago about visa application procedures for M, F, Z, S, Q, R, C visas (here is the one from the embassy; the same notice is on the consulate websites too). I am not sure if this means that unexpired visas of these types from before COVID can be used, or whether one would still need to apply for a new visa regardless.

These are generic steps to take in applying for a visa - nothing is said about an "opening up", although some of the requirements may be slightly relaxed.

People read stuff like this and then spam the social media sites about how "China is opening up" - proceed with caution.

 

[Randy W]

A more measured look at the current situation from the New York Times

China Halves Quarantine Time for International Arrivals, Cheering Markets

Travelers waiting to be taken to quarantine locations from the Beijing International Airport this month.Credit...Leo Ramirez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
 

Quote

 

The step was welcomed by some investors but greeted cautiously by others. Since early 2020, China has enforced some of the strictest entry rules in the world, requiring that nearly everyone coming from overseas go into government-run quarantine — often in a designated hotel — for at least 14 days, followed by isolation at home.

The new rules issued by the National Health Commission say that time will be cut to seven days in the facility, followed by three days in home isolation with regular testing for the virus throughout.

Chinese investors. appeared to welcome the changes. Foreign companies and some Chinese companies have complained that the government’s Covid isolation and shutdown rules were choking off business by deterring trips abroad and visits to China by investors and clients. The Shanghai stock market jumped after the new rules were announced.

But the European Chamber of Commerce in China reacted cautiously, pointing out that local governments across China have often imposed additional requirements for quarantine and tests.

“While the N.H.C. has recommended that this be rolled out nationwide, it remains to be seen if it will be implemented by all local authorities,” Joerg Wuttke, the president of the chamber said in an emailed comment, referring to the National Health Commission.

“China may have to maintain a restricted immigration policy beyond the summer of 2023,” Mr. Wuttke, said, emphasizing the country’s relatively low Covid vaccination rates among older people, and the Chinese government’s reluctance to roll out more effective foreign-developed mRNA vaccines.

The quarantine time for people determined to be close contacts of Covid carriers will also be cut from 14 days in a centralized facility followed by a week of home isolation to seven days, followed by three days of isolation and monitoring at home.

The new rules do not abandon the Chinese government’s “dynamic zero” goal of eliminating nearly all Covid infections by regular testing and, when clusters of infections are found, shutdowns of housing units, neighborhoods and even whole cities. But the rules indicated that the government is trying to soften the impact on people and the economy.

Travelers from abroad also will no longer have to endure viral swabs of their noses, an often eye-watering experience. Throat swabs will be enough.

 

 

 

[Randy W]

China Travel Advisory: Level 3: : Reconsider Travel, July 5, 2022

from STEP Notifications (00000002837efc59-dmarc-request@CALIST.STATE.GOV)

July 6, 2022 5:10:13AM

Reconsider travel to the People's Republic of China (PRC) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and COVID-19-related restrictions.Do not travel to the PRC's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Shanghai municipality due toCOVID-19-related restrictions,including the risk of parents and children being separated. Reconsider travel to the PRC's Hong Kong SAR due toarbitrary enforcement of local laws.  

 

Read the Department of State'sCOVID-19page before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined the PRC has a low level of COVID-19 and a high level of COVID-19 for Hong Kong. Visit the CDC page for the latestTravel Health Informationrelated to your travel.

Quarantine and Testing

The zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 by the PRC and Hong Kong governments severely impacts travel and access to public services. 

All travelers should prepare to quarantine at a government-designated location for a minimum of 14 days upon arrival. While in quarantine, health authorities will test travelers as often as daily for COVID-19 and will not permit travelers to leave their rooms. Travelers who test positive during this quarantine time will be transferred to a government-designated medical or quarantine facility. Standards of care, accommodations, testing, and treatments may differ considerably from standards in the United States. Even after completing quarantine on-arrival, travelers to the PRC and Hong Kong may face additional quarantines and mandatory testing as well as movement and access restrictions, which may negatively affect access to medical services and public transportation. In some cases, children in the PRC and Hong Kong who test positive have been separated from their parents and kept in isolation until they meet local hospital discharge requirements.

People within the PRC and Hong Kong may be subject to mandatory testing. In areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases, restrictions may include being confined to home or moved to a government-designated quarantine facility or hospital. Visit theEmbassy's COVID-19page for more information on COVID-19 and related restrictions and conditions in the PRC, or the Consulate General Hong Kong's COVID-19page for information on the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong as testing and travel requirements frequently change.

Lockdowns

Lockdowns, also called dynamic static management of COVID-19 risks, can occur in any location in the PRC at any time with little notice and may last for extended periods.Officials may instruct people not to leave specific districts, compounds, or residences. They may lock compound and building doors, and construct gates or walls around residences with little or no notice. Officials may require people to transfer to a quarantine facility. Prepare to have sufficient water, food, and medication on hand for a minimum of two weeks. If an area is restricted due to COVID-19, groceries, deliveries, and public transportation may be unavailable. Hospitals may restrict entrance or be locked down on short notice. These restrictions may be more likely to occur in border areas, particularly on the borders with the DPRK, Burma (Myanmar), Mongolia, and Russia, where COVID-19 cases have occurred that officials believe stem from cross-border transmission. 

Country Summary:The PRC government arbitrarily enforces local laws, including carrying out arbitrary and wrongful detentions and using exit bans on U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries without due process of law. The PRC government uses arbitrary detention and exit bans to:

• compel individuals to participate in PRC government investigations,
• pressure family members to return to the PRC from abroad,
• influence PRC authorities to resolve civil disputes in favor of PRC citizens, and
• gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.

In most cases, U.S. citizens only become aware of an exit ban when they attempt to depart the PRC, and there is no reliable mechanism or legal process to find out how long the ban might continue or to contest it in a court of law.

U.S. citizens traveling or residing in the PRC, including the Hong Kong SAR, may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime. U.S. citizens may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention without due process of law.

Foreigners in the PRC, including but not limited to businesspeople, former foreign government personnel, and journalists from Western countries have been arbitrarily interrogated and detained by PRC officials for alleged violations of PRC national security laws. The PRC has also threatened, interrogated, detained, and expelled U.S. citizens living and working in the PRC.

Security personnel may detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the PRC government.

The PRC government does not recognize dual nationality. U.S.-PRC citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment, and the PRC government may prevent the U.S. Embassy from providing consular services.

XINJIANG UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION and TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION

Extra security measures, such as security checks and increased levels of police presence, are common in the Xinjiang Uyghur and Tibet Autonomous Regions. Authorities may impose curfews and travel restrictions on short notice.

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

Since the imposition of the National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the PRC unilaterally and arbitrarily exercises police and security power in the Hong Kong SAR. The PRC has demonstrated an intention to use this authority to target a broad range of activities it defines as acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities. The National Security Law also covers offenses committed by non-Hong Kong residents or organizations outside of Hong Kong, which could subject U.S. citizens who have been publicly critical of the PRC to a heightened risk of arrest, detention, expulsion, or prosecution. PRC security forces, including the new Office for Safeguarding National Security, now operate in the Hong Kong SAR and are not subject to oversight by the Hong Kong judiciary.

Demonstrations: Participating in demonstrations or any other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges. On June 30, 2020, as part of its color-coded system of warning flags, the Hong Kong police unveiled a new purple flag, which warns protesters that shouting slogans or carrying banners with an intent prohibited by the law could now bring criminal charges. U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned to be aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations.

Propaganda: A PRC propaganda campaign has falsely accused individuals, including U.S. citizens, of fomenting unrest in the Hong Kong SAR. In some cases, the campaign has published their personal information, resulting in threats of violence on social media.

Read the country information page for the PRC and the country information page for the Hong Kong SAR for additional information on travel.

If you decide to travel to the PRC, including the Hong Kong SAR:

• Read the Department of State's COVID-19 page before planning any international travel, read the Embassy COVID-19 page for the PRC and the Consulate General COVID-19 page for the Hong Kong SAR for country-specific COVID-19 information.
• For the Hong Kong SAR, monitor local media, local transportations sites and apps like MTR Mobile or CitybusNWFB, and the Hong Kong International Airport website for updates.
• Avoid the areas of the demonstrations.
• Exercise caution if you are in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
• Avoid taking photographs of protesters or police without permission.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep a low profile.
• For the Hong Kong SAR, review your Hong Kong flight status with your airline or at the Hong Kong International Airport website.
• Enter the PRC on your U.S. passport with a valid PRC visa and keep it with you.
• If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or the nearest consulate immediately.
• If you plan to enter North Korea, read the North Korea Travel Advisory. Travelers should note that U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in, or through North Korea, unless they are specially validated by the Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Follow the U.S. Embassy on Twitter, WeChat, and Weibo. Follow U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Country Security Report for the PRC and the Hong Kong SAR.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist.

[Randy W]

A little "living document" that someone posted on Google docs. They talk about their credentials in the document (see where it says "Quick Note from the Author"). All I can say is that it MAY be helpful.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/going2china/posts/5148676585260671/

From the document - 

This document aims to guide people through this process - however, please note that NOTHING is guaranteed and consulates are constantly releasing new guidelines/requirements on returning.  Please make sure that you are also constantly checking the relevant consulate announcements and reading through everything carefully.  Updates are based on the feedback and experiences of others to help those trying to return to their adopted home.  As the situation is dynamic and unfolding, please use this as a guide only.

Zane Hickman shared a link.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Chinavisa/

Link to the document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uB2yn1cv9o-27zeGcZeGmGM4ru-a0qYaY-H8o8sppZk/edit?fbclid=IwAR1XafNCwaXUE6NFwupZWgGOWCjEHTHr_2q6HgD0lmakOUft16dYwlxP16Q#heading=h.n1v99psrbvmc  - (v. 7.3) FAQ on TESTING & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS (This document is intended to be a living document to provide assistance to non-Chinese citizens (primarily US citizens and green card holders) attempting to return to China from the United States.)

Wanted to cross-pollinate these resources. I think the FAQ is probably the best source of information on how to interpret the new "transits approved" policy I've found (believe/follow at your own risk).

 

Edited July 18, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

U.S. suspends 26 Chinese flights in response to China flight cancellations

from Reuters

WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Thursday it will suspend 26 China-bound flights from the United States by four Chinese carriers in response to the Chinese government's decision to suspend some U.S. carrier flights over COVID-19 cases.

The decision will affect flights by Xiamen, Air China (601111.SS), China Southern Airlines (600029.SS) and China Eastern Airlines (600115.SS) from Sept. 5 to Sept. 28. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) cited the recent cancellation of 26 American Airlines (AAL.O), Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and United Airlines (UAL.O) flights over COVID-19 cases.

The suspensions include 19 China-bound flights from Los Angeles and 7 China Eastern flights from New York.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington's spokesperson Liu Pengyu said the USDOT action was "extremely irresponsible" and "groundlessly suspended Chinese airline flights."

Edited August 28, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Gweilo pretty well hits the mark here, without any beer involved

(that I could tell)

Most international people are not allowed to travel to China or Transit through China. These words are not a welcome sign to people like me who love to travel to and live in China. Tourism is just not happening in China right now.
Check out my other smaller Channel: 
https://www.youtube.com/NanaimoNow

CHINA Foreigners NOT ALLOWED!

 

Edited October 9, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

This was posted by China Highlights on Facebook - not sure what's behind it

 The “0+0” model – a complete scrapping of travel restrictions will be implemented for Hongkong on October 19th, 2022. Hong Kong will give away 500,000 free flight tickets to to lure back tourists.

 Check out Hongkong travel guide: https://bit.ly/3SLONlO

https://www.facebook.com/ChinaHighlights/posts/pfbid02gDKzGp3jSkMYqPMyA287YEBrbFGe3UhcWHWtq29ghKv1n5tkDyrY43XGj84KuFabl

 

Edited October 9, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

"slash" would seem to be a relative term. This news covers in-China travel, as well.

China slashes quarantine time for international arrivals to 5 days

• Threshold also dropped for positive PCR tests among major changes to the country’s zero-Covid measures
• Travellers can now visit with just one negative test 48 hours before boarding their flights

from the SCMP

China announced major changes to its strict Covid-19 measures for inbound travellers on Friday, reducing quarantine on arrival from seven days down to five, followed by three days of isolation at home.

The newly released measures include ending the practice of cancelling international flights if too many passengers from previous flights test positive on arrival – the major barrier to visiting China – the State Council’s Covid-19 prevention team said.

This will allow more international flights which should lead to a fall in prices.

Arriving travellers will now be allowed to enter the country after showing just one negative PCR test within the 48 hours before boarding. The threshold for a positive PCR test will be also be dropped, from 40 to 35.

An easing of restrictions was also announced within China, with the length of time spent in central quarantine for close contacts reduced to five days, instead of the previous seven.
However, the three days of home health monitoring which previously applied will be changed to quarantine.

Close contacts of people who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive will no longer have to undergo quarantine and medical surveillance.

 . . .

Residents travelling from high-risk areas to other parts of the country will no longer have to spend seven days in a centralised isolation facility, with the requirement relaxed to the same period in home isolation.

The State Council announcement said Covid-19 testing will now only be conducted in key spots where cases have been detected. Previously, an entire region would undergo mass testing, despite no recorded outbreaks in the wider area.

The Covid-19 prevention team said the “unscientific” routine of having two or three tests a day should be adjusting.

Covid-19 testing should no longer be applied to an entire population by administrative area sectioning. Instead, the measure should be reserved for when the source and chains of infection and transmission are unclear.

Edited November 11, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Martin B]

It's a step in the right direction... but still way too risky for us to travel. Even with this change, there's still the chance of getting randomly locked down in Disney or IKEA, and flights are still horribly limited and incredibly expensive - even if there are no flight suspensions. But at least things are moving in the "correct" direction.

In another group I belong to, the general consensus was that this move is to make it easier for Chinese nationals to travel back to China. 

[Randy W]

6 hours ago, Barfus said:

It's a step in the right direction... but still way too risky for us to travel. Even with this change, there's still the chance of getting randomly locked down in Disney or IKEA, and flights are still horribly limited and incredibly expensive - even if there are no flight suspensions. But at least things are moving in the "correct" direction.

In another group I belong to, the general consensus was that this move is to make it easier for Chinese nationals to travel back to China. 

Blockquotes seem to not work for some reason

 

6 hours ago, Barfus said:

It's a step in the right direction... but still way too risky for us to travel. Even with this change, there's still the chance of getting randomly locked down in Disney or IKEA, and flights are still horribly limited and incredibly expensive - even if there are no flight suspensions. But at least things are moving in the "correct" direction.

In another group I belong to, the general consensus was that this move is to make it easier for Chinese nationals to travel back to China. 

Yes - it's too risky for us to even travel within China. Last week, we came too close to Beiliu (a city under lockdown) for my wife's comfort - she wanted to turn her cellphone off so they wouldn't pick up a signal. I figured that turning it off at that point could be an indication that maybe we DID go into Beiliu - I left mine on.

Edited November 12, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Excitement as China opens borders to quarantine-free travel
China lifts quarantine rules for inbound travellers, ending nearly three years of self-imposed isolation.

from AL Jazeera

"China’s borders remain closed to tourists, however, with foreigners only allowed to travel to the country for business or family visits.

Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu, reporting from Beijing, said that for many people in China, Sunday marked “the real end of the ‘zero-COVID’ policy”."

Travellers pose for photos at the gate of Hong Kong's Lok Ma Chau border checkpoint before China reopens borders [Tyrone Siu/ Reuters]

Quote

 

China has lifted pandemic restrictions on foreign travel, ending quarantine requirements for inbound travellers and with it, nearly three years of self-imposed isolation.

The first passengers to arrive under the new rules landed at airports in the southern cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen just after midnight on Sunday, according to the state-owned China Global Television Network (CGTN).

The 387 passengers on board flights from Singapore and Canada’s Toronto were not subject to COVID-19 tests on arrival and did not have to undergo five days of quarantine at centralised government facilities, it reported.

The easing of curbs on foreign travel marks the final unravelling of China’s strict “zero-COVID” policy.

 

 

[Randy W]

📣FAQs about Traveling to China(Updated on Feb. 8th) @everyone

from China Highlights on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/going2china/posts/5739483416179982/

FAQs about Traveling to China(Updated on Feb. 8th) @everyone

[A Professional Travel Agency Can Help a Lot - we have received many inquires for inbound travel in recent month. Contact China Highlights to plan your China trip now!]

-----------

• I hold a (long-term) L or 10-year, can I enter China now?

No. Those holding certain visas (L or 10-year visas) issued before March 28th, 2020 may not enter China (even if vaccinated). We predict it may be available around May, before Summer Holiday 2023.

• I am holding Singapore passport, can I go to China now？

No. Singapore's visa-free entry policy is suspended. You need to apply for a China visa before going. HOW TO APPLY

• Hong Kong completes customs clearance with the mainland on the 6th. Can I go to Chinese Mainland from HK?

Only those with valid China visa can go to Chinese mainland.

• Do I need to provide hard copy of the nucleic acid test report, or electronic one is also OK?

Airlines will check out your proof of negative nucleic acid test before boarding the plane. China Customs will also randomly check it when you enter China. So we recommend you prepare two hard copies (the airline may keep one) and one electronic copy.

• If I transfer in a third country, what's the requirement for my PCR test report?

For transfer passengers, you will only need to do one PRC test at your departure city or at the transfer airport/city.

For example, if you departure from New York and will transfer through Bangkok to China, you can choose to do a PCR test at New York within 48 hours before departure. Or you can choose to do the PCR test when you arrive in Bangkok.

Note: If you choose to do the PCR test at the transfer airport, please contact the airport in advance to confirm whether there are facilities for PCR testing.

• Can I enter China with 144-hour Visa-Free Policy?

If you meet the conditions, you can travel to China without applying a new visa.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF 144-HOUR VISA-FREE POLICY:

• Passport holders from the 53 countries including USA, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, etc.
• You must be in transit to a third country or region (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are included). For example, USA–Beijing–Hong Kong is an acceptable itinerary for a 144-hour transit policy, but USA–Beijing–USA is not.
• You need a visa for the third country/region (if needed).
• You must stay within the permitted region and not travel out of it at all. For example, you can stay around Shanghai region like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou, but you cannot make a trip from Shanghai to Beijing.

You can check out more on our  China’s 144-hour Visa-Free Policy (Eligible Entry/Exit Ports, Applicable Countries, Documents to be Prepared...)

[Randy W]

Can I Travel to China? (Aug., 2022)

From A Welcome Guide to China - see CFL topic

Entry and Exit facilitation Policy Aug., 2022