Current China Entry policy
#541
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Technically, yes. Unfortunately, since my WP is also expiring soon, I have to renew the work permit first, and since my RP is expiring, it means the work permit has be re-applied for from scratch, incl. medical examination, background check, etc. etc., all requiring authentication by the embassy....
Oh, what fun,
Oh, what fun,
#542
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: HANDAN
Programs: Air China Phoenix Miles
Posts: 61
Im currently living in China with a residence permit and planning to take a 6 week trip back to the US in august. Is there any indication that a vaccine in China or a vaccine in the US will provide any benefit to travel? I’m assuming it’s still going to be a firm “no” but I may sign up for a Pfizer vaccination x2 just in case something changes shortly after.
I am expecting the world to be chaos for international travel for another few years minimum with China being the least likely to end quarantine.
I am expecting the world to be chaos for international travel for another few years minimum with China being the least likely to end quarantine.
The Chinese Embassy in London seem's to confirm this...IV) Non-Chinese nationals in the U.K. holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion will no longer be affected for entry into China.
2. Please be noted that the above-mentioned visa facilitation applies only to applicants who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China, having either received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application, and obtained the vaccination certificate.
3. The requirement that personnel intending to travel to China need to present double-negative certificates of nucleic acid and antibody (IgM) tests remains unchanged. The relevant Chinese quarantine policies shall be observed after entering China.
The only problem is, here in Handan there is no policy in place to vaccinate foreigners, we just keep getting fobbed off with wait a while, maybe next week, next week comes and we ask again and get the same answer....So it looks like if I can't get the jabs then I stand the risk of being unable to return to China for quite a while, my wife will not be very happy....
#543
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 827
I think it's clear to most who read this board regularly, but might be important to repeat (and test / challenge my understanding), that there is a difference between gaining entry in China once you're at the border (i.e., Pudong Airport) vs. at the point of departure.
At the point of departure, it's highly dependent on where you are and local policy. I know from the US you'll need Chinese embassy "permission" to board a flight, and this in turn requires a negative PCR test plus blood antibody tests (with Chinese vaccines possibly helping). These requirements may vary in other countries.
However, once having arrived in China, treatment is pretty much* the same. As Steveb1955 wrote above,
Actually it's not just in the UK, it should be anywhere, once you arrive at China's border.
*I say treatment is pretty much the same because as far as I know, you'll be allowed entry and will have to quarantine. The exception is Macau. If you can get into Macau somehow and stay there for 2 weeks, you can enter mainland China without quarantine.
At the point of departure, it's highly dependent on where you are and local policy. I know from the US you'll need Chinese embassy "permission" to board a flight, and this in turn requires a negative PCR test plus blood antibody tests (with Chinese vaccines possibly helping). These requirements may vary in other countries.
However, once having arrived in China, treatment is pretty much* the same. As Steveb1955 wrote above,
Non-Chinese nationals in the U.K. holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion will no longer be affected for entry into China.
Actually it's not just in the UK, it should be anywhere, once you arrive at China's border.
*I say treatment is pretty much the same because as far as I know, you'll be allowed entry and will have to quarantine. The exception is Macau. If you can get into Macau somehow and stay there for 2 weeks, you can enter mainland China without quarantine.
#544
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Are you saying Macau is somewhat of a loophole or is there more to this story? I’d gladly bop around Macau for a few weeks to avoid a China 14 day hotel lockdown. I’ve already been through 2 of those.
#545
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,424
AFAIK getting into Macao as a foreign citizen is even stricter than mainland, so it's not really a loophole.
#546
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond
Posts: 1,402
I've been told by our Public Security Bureau that my only chance to return back to China is if I am fully vaccinated with a Chinese manafactured vaccine, so that is one benefit to travel.....
The Chinese Embassy in London seem's to confirm this...IV) Non-Chinese nationals in the U.K. holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion will no longer be affected for entry into China.
2. Please be noted that the above-mentioned visa facilitation applies only to applicants who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China, having either received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application, and obtained the vaccination certificate.
3. The requirement that personnel intending to travel to China need to present double-negative certificates of nucleic acid and antibody (IgM) tests remains unchanged. The relevant Chinese quarantine policies shall be observed after entering China.
The only problem is, here in Handan there is no policy in place to vaccinate foreigners, we just keep getting fobbed off with wait a while, maybe next week, next week comes and we ask again and get the same answer....So it looks like if I can't get the jabs then I stand the risk of being unable to return to China for quite a while, my wife will not be very happy....
The Chinese Embassy in London seem's to confirm this...IV) Non-Chinese nationals in the U.K. holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion will no longer be affected for entry into China.
2. Please be noted that the above-mentioned visa facilitation applies only to applicants who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China, having either received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application, and obtained the vaccination certificate.
3. The requirement that personnel intending to travel to China need to present double-negative certificates of nucleic acid and antibody (IgM) tests remains unchanged. The relevant Chinese quarantine policies shall be observed after entering China.
The only problem is, here in Handan there is no policy in place to vaccinate foreigners, we just keep getting fobbed off with wait a while, maybe next week, next week comes and we ask again and get the same answer....So it looks like if I can't get the jabs then I stand the risk of being unable to return to China for quite a while, my wife will not be very happy....
Per the quoted announcement Notice on Providing Facilitation for Visa Applicants Inoculated with COVID-19 Vaccines Produced in China, if I'm reading it correctly category IV (residence permit holders) are not applying for visas so it doesn't matter if you have the Chinese vaccine or not.
#547
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond
Posts: 1,402
Hong Kong is reducing quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...1050700821.htm
But think if one goes Hong Kong -> China the normal quarantine procedures apply still
But think if one goes Hong Kong -> China the normal quarantine procedures apply still
#548
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Join Date: Nov 2009
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Hong Kong is reducing quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...1050700821.htm
But think if one goes Hong Kong -> China the normal quarantine procedures apply still
But think if one goes Hong Kong -> China the normal quarantine procedures apply still
visa or PR
#549
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,314
I also live in China, Handan, with a residence permit, want to travel back to the UK in early July to sort out some family business. I've been told by our Public Security Bureau that my only chance to return back to China is if I am fully vaccinated with a Chinese manafactured vaccine, so that is one benefit to travel.....
The Chinese Embassy in London seem's to confirm this...IV) Non-Chinese nationals in the U.K. holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion will no longer be affected for entry into China.
2. Please be noted that the above-mentioned visa facilitation applies only to applicants who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China, having either received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application, and obtained the vaccination certificate.
3. The requirement that personnel intending to travel to China need to present double-negative certificates of nucleic acid and antibody (IgM) tests remains unchanged. The relevant Chinese quarantine policies shall be observed after entering China.
The only problem is, here in Handan there is no policy in place to vaccinate foreigners, we just keep getting fobbed off with wait a while, maybe next week, next week comes and we ask again and get the same answer....So it looks like if I can't get the jabs then I stand the risk of being unable to return to China for quite a while, my wife will not be very happy....
The Chinese Embassy in London seem's to confirm this...IV) Non-Chinese nationals in the U.K. holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion will no longer be affected for entry into China.
2. Please be noted that the above-mentioned visa facilitation applies only to applicants who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China, having either received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application, and obtained the vaccination certificate.
3. The requirement that personnel intending to travel to China need to present double-negative certificates of nucleic acid and antibody (IgM) tests remains unchanged. The relevant Chinese quarantine policies shall be observed after entering China.
The only problem is, here in Handan there is no policy in place to vaccinate foreigners, we just keep getting fobbed off with wait a while, maybe next week, next week comes and we ask again and get the same answer....So it looks like if I can't get the jabs then I stand the risk of being unable to return to China for quite a while, my wife will not be very happy....
#551
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: HANDAN
Programs: Air China Phoenix Miles
Posts: 61
Thanks tauphi...I did start out thinking that as well, but when we visited the PSB they made a phone call and told us that without a Chinese vaccine I would not get the permission to fly back. Not sure what it's like in bigger Chinese cities but here in Handan it's proving very hard to get solid information out of anyone in a position of authority regarding this....
#552
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 827
Thanks tauphi...I did start out thinking that as well, but when we visited the PSB they made a phone call and told us that without a Chinese vaccine I would not get the permission to fly back. Not sure what it's like in bigger Chinese cities but here in Handan it's proving very hard to get solid information out of anyone in a position of authority regarding this....
#553
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,224
Thanks tauphi...I did start out thinking that as well, but when we visited the PSB they made a phone call and told us that without a Chinese vaccine I would not get the permission to fly back. Not sure what it's like in bigger Chinese cities but here in Handan it's proving very hard to get solid information out of anyone in a position of authority regarding this....
#554
#555
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
How many of those are in Beijing? (see *)
Apparently (or so I've been told) it would be easier if I were working in Beijing, Chaoyang District, but alas, it's Beijing, Tongzhou District which happens to be the district where much of the govt. is moving to, which is apparently making things even more difficult/stringent.
* It was suggested by China Visa consultants I should just get a work permit in Shanghai to get back to China, as that would be not much more than a formality, but I reckon that won't help me in the long run.