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.

Because I thought he might be confused by my post 2769, which was replying to a post about TWOV (right here in this very thread, you might have recalled).

I suggest putting this thread into hibernation (i.e. not completely killing it) fairly soon. When/if this happens, we can discuss the exact same topics in the visa and TWOV threads.

Why?
China has not lifted up COVID testing requirements for passengers from US.

fairly soon

Source?

While not speaking for MD, I just sense it'll be very soon too. I don't have a source but my recent entry experience into HK seemed as if from top down the word is out to not inquire about the testing protocols, at all. Nothing from checking in from the States, seamless CX mobile BP (can't even do this on BA enter my own country!), not a whit from immigration or customs, and nothing on it in HK. Even e-channel works!

I'm just assuming this wouldn't be the case unless the Mainland too is on the precipice of following suit.

While I lack a "source", it's abundantly clear that this thread has evolved/devolved into a sandbox.

We happen to have two dedicated threads for: 1. visas; 2. people who don't have visas

I'm excited for us to get back to more interesting topics, but let's try to keep our current topics on topic.

can confirm this, flew BKK to PEK on the 21 and no test required ( or ask for) at check in ..

I'm flying from Canada to China on May. However my flights are on 3 different tickets. Which country's rules do I need to go by for the negative covid test:

Ticket 1:
YYZ-YUL (May 1)

Ticket 2:
YUL-DOH-SIN (depart May 1, arrive DOH May 2, arrive SIN May 3)

Ticket 3:
SIN-PVG (depart May 3 arrive same day)

All stops are < 24 hour layovers.

If i get the test done in YYZ on Apr 30 the night before my first flight on May 1, that will be < 48 hours before I board first flight. Will that be ok?

Since these are on different tickets, would it be considered transfers and they look at my originating flight from YYZ?
Or would they look at singapore as origin and 48 hours would start from there?

Although all stops are layovers, I think I might have to enter singapore to pick up and re-check in luggage

Also, if I get the test done on Pr 30

It's good that you have separate tickets because then there would be questions asked about your travel to China from anywhere other than Singapore. The rule for Singapore to China is that a PCR is no longer required, a self RAT test performed within 48 hours of departure to China from Singapore is sufficient.

were you on a connecting flight from another country? or stopover in BKK? or are you resident there?

the health questionnaire asks what countries you've been to last 14 days. would it make a difference if they see I was only in Singapore for < 1 day?

is it a correct assumption that if I was only transiting a country without going through immigration, I don't have to put that down as a country I visited?

Stopover one night. Different tickets . Eu passport holder and not a Thai resident

I had to reschedule my flight and no longer flying with separate ticket from SIN-PVG.

My new itinerary is all 1 ticket: YYZ-CPH-BKK-TPE-PVG (don't plan to leave airport at any of the layover locations)

Does the pcr test need to be done 48hr before my yyz departure or 48hr before my tpe departure?

I depart yyz on a Tues in the evening and my tpe flight is on the Thurs in the afternoon. I plan to do the test in the morning before yyz flight. So the report Will likely show >48hrs if requirement is based on tpe departure. But due to 12hr timezone diff, it will technically be just under 48hrs

It's supposed to be 48 hours prior to the departure time of the flight entering China. Airport agents are supposed to take time zones into account when calculating the 48 hours.

By the way, that's a brutal routing. I hope the convoluted itinerary is because you got a business award redemption!

yeah.. that routing is only because of business awards redemption, otherwise no way I'd take a route like that hah.

Ok, hope that they do take into consideration the time zone. The total duration of flight including layovers up until departure at TPE is 31 hours and I was planning to take the test 12 hours before flight = 43 hours.

I am from the Philippines, I believe I only need a self administered RAT. How do I show the result? Is it the same as previous HK requirement that I will just take a picture of the test kit?

The app is all they care about now.

Sorry what app?

Likely this:
Customs Health Declaration Applet Updated

There is an Mini Program on WeChat App for this health declaration form. When you arrive in China, the first formality is to scan this form, which you fill up within 24 hours, not earlier. When you exit China, you will need to fill up this form, too. I did it on the spot.

I used the MP, but was still sent to one of the app kiosks at PVG to redo it. That was only a 2-minute diversion in the grand scheme.

What if pax doesn't have a smartphone? Like toddlers and the elderly? Can WeChat be used for multiple pax?

Also, how is the self-administered RAT result reported? By sending the picture of the test kit in WeChat?

There are kiosks just before border control. As I mentioned, I needed to use one myself (and I didn't lose my place in line).

You can use the browser:

https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn/