I'm not sure if it's currently true but I seem to recall that when you used to apply for the multi-year visas it didn't really matter what you ticked on the form, the consulate gave you whatever length of time visa they wanted to, at least this was the case in the UK. If you had no or limited travel history to China you would be unlikely to get a multi-year visa.

That doesn't sound right at all.
You sure that's right? Never heard of that before.
Maybe the UK is like Canada (and unlike USA) in that the Visa is only issued up to the date of passport expiration?

Yes, happened to me and my friends. Requested single entry tourism, got 10 year tourism :tu:

Pre-Covid and after reciprocity took hold, 10 years was the default for L, M, F, and Q visas issued in the US to US passport holders. If you wanted more days/stay, you might have needed to accept a shorter total validity period (e.g. 2 years).

Yeh, I think it was different for US passports (and there was different pricing). It would be useful to get some feedback from those applying for visas what they end up with these days, US and elsewhere.

If I recall, they do have my prints. So, during my next visit, will just head to the machines for the scan?

So, sounds like both China & HK have more or less unofficially abandoned the testing regimes. Any clue on when this becomes official?

I didn't notice more than a handful of people adding new prints (at the new print kiosks).


I don't have any insights about this, myself, but I will feel increasingly comfortable as we get more data points (e.g. Beijing example) in support of de facto abandonment. As an aside, I want to (re) point out the intimidating video I had to watch on my inbound flight. Essentially, when you scan the arrival QR code, you are attesting to the fact that you have completed a PCR or antigen (increasingly okay) test within the 48 hours leading up to your flight. In theory, you could be called out on this at immigration or anytime thereafter.

Thailand to Beijing
 

Remember that your flights to/from Beijing can't make any other stops in China, and the flight out of Beijing must also not make its first stop in Thailand.

Yes thanks. I fly Thai Airways from BK to BJ direct. And from BJ I fly directly back to Amsterdam. So I guess im good.

Just confused about the testing. Since flight from Thailand dont need a pcr test anymore...

Is transiting allowed? For example if final destination is PEK/PKX but I find a good fare that transits for example, PVG or SZX before going to Beijing?

Yes of course, why wouldn’t it?

you enter China at place X then take a domestic flight to Z, or a train, or whatever. No more regulations..

On a visa of course you can transit in China en route to Beijing.

But if you're entering on TWOV your flight cannot make any stops in China en route to Beijing.

This isn’t the TWOV thread, and the person asking didn’t asked about TWOV, either.. so not sure why you think it should be about TWOV?

If you are flying direct from Thailand to China then you don't need a negative PCR report. A self-administered RAT test is sufficient.