Current China Entry policy
Feb 27, 2021, 8:31 pm
#421
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,039
Given the current entry situation, especially from the United States, I'm trying to think of alternatives on re-entering China after a trip to the US. The ideal criteria would be:
- No quarantine required for arrivals from the US
- Relatively lax criteria for entry into China
- Direct flight to Shanghai
Obviously the situation is fluid, but can anyone think of a destination that fit the above criteria?
- No quarantine required for arrivals from the US
- Relatively lax criteria for entry into China
- Direct flight to Shanghai
Obviously the situation is fluid, but can anyone think of a destination that fit the above criteria?
-I expect things will be easier in June
-a friend of mine got that special letter just 2 weeks ago, but procuring it was a PITA
I want to go to the US in May, myself. I'm less concerned a timely return than I am about the sky high ticket prices.
Feb 28, 2021, 6:52 am
#422
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 827
-Your RP presumably gives you better odds than a visa
-I expect things will be easier in June
-a friend of mine got that special letter just 2 weeks ago, but procuring it was a PITA
I want to go to the US in May, myself. I'm less concerned a timely return than I am about the sky high ticket prices.
-I expect things will be easier in June
-a friend of mine got that special letter just 2 weeks ago, but procuring it was a PITA
I want to go to the US in May, myself. I'm less concerned a timely return than I am about the sky high ticket prices.
Feb 28, 2021, 7:02 pm
#423
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,227
If you are able to go through Taiwan and use the Mainland Travel Permit to get into China then that is the best option you will have. Yes, it'll suck to quarantine twice, but maybe by that time they'll ease up on quarantine from Taiwan/HK/Macao. The wish list country you posted above doesn't exist currently.
Feb 28, 2021, 9:49 pm
#424
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 145
Given the current entry situation, especially from the United States, I'm trying to think of alternatives on re-entering China after a trip to the US. The ideal criteria would be:
- No quarantine required for arrivals from the US
- Relatively lax criteria for entry into China
- Direct flight to Shanghai
Obviously the situation is fluid, but can anyone think of a destination that fit the above criteria?
- No quarantine required for arrivals from the US
- Relatively lax criteria for entry into China
- Direct flight to Shanghai
Obviously the situation is fluid, but can anyone think of a destination that fit the above criteria?
South Korea technically has a quarantine requirement, but the rules mention that you can leave early if it's specifically for the purpose of leaving the country (you'd be out the full payment for quarantine, though, I think)
and direct flights to Shanghai seem really sporadic and only on Spring Airlines (...)
you may wish to consider, though, that if you stay in an interim country for less than 14 days, most destinations will consider you to have transited through that interim country (instead of originating) for the purposes of their (destination country's) entry restrictions - I don't know the specific details for China
Feb 28, 2021, 10:31 pm
#425
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,886
I caught a news blurb over the weekend, effective today, March 1, TPE is allowing international transit if the transit is under 8 hours and flights under the "same airline program", whatever that may mean. It may change, but hopefully any changes will be for the better and not worse. It may be worth checking into and see if flights to/from China are included in this.
Mar 1, 2021, 3:14 am
#426
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 827
If you are able to go through Taiwan and use the Mainland Travel Permit to get into China then that is the best option you will have. Yes, it'll suck to quarantine twice, but maybe by that time they'll ease up on quarantine from Taiwan/HK/Macao. The wish list country you posted above doesn't exist currently.
if you're thinking about June, probably Turkey
South Korea technically has a quarantine requirement, but the rules mention that you can leave early if it's specifically for the purpose of leaving the country (you'd be out the full payment for quarantine, though, I think)
and direct flights to Shanghai seem really sporadic and only on Spring Airlines (...)
you may wish to consider, though, that if you stay in an interim country for less than 14 days, most destinations will consider you to have transited through that interim country (instead of originating) for the purposes of their (destination country's) entry restrictions - I don't know the specific details for China
South Korea technically has a quarantine requirement, but the rules mention that you can leave early if it's specifically for the purpose of leaving the country (you'd be out the full payment for quarantine, though, I think)
and direct flights to Shanghai seem really sporadic and only on Spring Airlines (...)
you may wish to consider, though, that if you stay in an interim country for less than 14 days, most destinations will consider you to have transited through that interim country (instead of originating) for the purposes of their (destination country's) entry restrictions - I don't know the specific details for China
I caught a news blurb over the weekend, effective today, March 1, TPE is allowing international transit if the transit is under 8 hours and flights under the "same airline program", whatever that may mean. It may change, but hopefully any changes will be for the better and not worse. It may be worth checking into and see if flights to/from China are included in this.
I looked at where China Eastern currently has direct flights into PVG, and spot checked several. All of them require blood serum tests and the special green code from the local embassy. Sucks.
Mar 1, 2021, 7:27 pm
#427
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,315
This rule stems from the Chinese immigration authorities. As it stands no transits are allowed at all since you won't be able to obtain the green QR code from the local embassy/consulate if you transit. You have to be a resident in the country of origin (of the direct flight to China) to obtain a green QR code that would then allow you to board.
Mar 2, 2021, 1:32 am
#428
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 827
This rule stems from the Chinese immigration authorities. As it stands no transits are allowed at all since you won't be able to obtain the green QR code from the local embassy/consulate if you transit. You have to be a resident in the country of origin (of the direct flight to China) to obtain a green QR code that would then allow you to board.
Mar 2, 2021, 3:25 am
#429
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,210
I'm not being funny but I believe that what you seek is what most people returning to China would want and it's just not possible right now for pretty much anyone irrespective of the country you travel from or your residency/citizenship status.
They've been very effective at sealing off the borders to incoming travellers and strictly controlling who gets in and what happens in the first few weeks once you are in. They have their reasons and whether you believe it's an effective method of controlling imported Covid cases doesn't matter. It's the process now.
At the very least, avoiding quarantine in China is not a realistic goal. It's difficult enough to get entry if you're not a PRC national right now.
They've been very effective at sealing off the borders to incoming travellers and strictly controlling who gets in and what happens in the first few weeks once you are in. They have their reasons and whether you believe it's an effective method of controlling imported Covid cases doesn't matter. It's the process now.
At the very least, avoiding quarantine in China is not a realistic goal. It's difficult enough to get entry if you're not a PRC national right now.
Mar 3, 2021, 5:03 pm
#430
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,227
PRC nationals with long term visas for the countries they are in (like a USA green card) are also being denied the QR code needed to board the plane and come back to China. It’s not a good time to be leaving China now if you want to get back in a timely manner.
Mar 3, 2021, 5:35 pm
#431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,513
TIMES UK: China makes analswab coronavirus tests mandatory for foreign arrivals
Those jokes just write themselves
Mar 3, 2021, 5:45 pm
#432
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,490
Speaking of China Entry...
Not if you're the, ah, butt of the joke... 
China makes COVID-19 anal swabs mandatory for foreigners
Mar 3, 2021, 6:10 pm
#433
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,315
I think this was specific to the USA. This certainly hasn't been the case in low risk countries like Australia.
Mar 3, 2021, 7:41 pm
#434
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 827
Yes it looks like under current circumstances re-entering China wouldn't be something pleasant that I would want to pursue.
My return flight would be the end of July / beginning of August so the gamble I'd take would be in June when I need to decide whether to exit China or not...
My return flight would be the end of July / beginning of August so the gamble I'd take would be in June when I need to decide whether to exit China or not...
Mar 4, 2021, 11:26 am
#435
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 812
One could argue that 5 cm up the bum is less unpleasant than 8 cm up the nose...
Last edited by sincx; Mar 4, 2021 at 11:48 am Reason: centimeters, not inches 😅