What kind of evidence? If I do a test in HK, do I just need a photo of me grinning and holding a test up or do I need a video showing me, my nose and the test developing in some independent cinema style?

Yes. One or two time-stamped photos are a good idea. Nobody at immigration will ask for this because fingerprinting requires the majority of their time. The thing is, if you happen to catch Covid less than 90 days from entry, it's conceivable that you would be requested for proof of your test.

Bring an antigen test kit on your carryon. Do a test and take a picture of the result. Do not overthink about it. Perhaps, nobody will check your result but you have evidence if asked to provide it.

This is actually inconceivable to me.

Me too, but apparently it can still happen that you're asked for it.
I now suggest to bring a new, virgin test along. If there's some idiot that asks for the actual test along the way, just whip out the test and do it right then and there.

To get into trouble, 4 rare stars would need to line up against you:
1. You catch Covid in China
2. You spread it to other people
3 The hospital is connected with the government
4, The government dislikes you

Based on my understanding, only point 2 is an actual law, and you would need to be a moron to violate it, That being said, we're only talking about $5 to eliminate all of these risks. Well, point 4 isn't in your control...remember Perry (he is still alive,,,just not in China)

E Channel opening on the 15th of May! Same qualifications for use as before. Great news!

WOWOW!
Remind me again how to apply? I've forgotten...

Anyone taken the HK/mainland train recently and can speak about the test requirements? Is it the same as other crossings where self administered RAT is sufficient?
I'm coming from the US to HK for a weekend and want to go to Shenzhen for lunch (already have train tickets booked and have a Chinese visa) so want to make sure I don't need to get a PCR.

You don't need a PCR

The MTR site has current requirements (a rapid test within 48 hours in your particular case).

https://tnews.highspeed.mtr.com.hk/en/d/

I just returned from the Pudong place to get a new RP.

A few things have changed since the last time I did the drill:
-the in-person visit seems to be even more mandatory than it was previously
-the first step is to take a picture in their photo booth that looks just like the subway station photo booths, but apparently the photos it generates are connected to your master file
-then, you need to go to a separate machine with your photo ID number and passport
-this machine prints out your application
-then, you need to go to a window to sign your application and show your face, which gets photographed again
-my agent was waiting at window 16 for me and ~5 other applicants
-I'm not sure what his value added is for renewals now that the process is more automated, BUT he was able to get me in front of the agent at window 16 in less than 10 minutes; others were not so fortunate. Furthermore, he contacted my company and my landlord to get documents from them. Yes, I could have done this myself, but if I missed a step, I could have been rejected
-every staff member I talked with there was quite friendly

In summary, neither the application that I prepared in advance nor my subway station photos were used at all and they didn't seem to care about my work permit (the plastic card) either.

Did you utilize the services of the famous Vincent to get this renewal done?

I used his company again, but Ronald did most of the heavy lifting this time around. He would need to raise his prices (I actually didn't ask him what his fee is this year; I will find out when my passport is ready) a lot to get me to switch horses because he has all of my old documents (e.g. translated diplomas, medical records, criminal background check) on file. I'm sure he would happily give me all materials if I asked him, but it's much nicer not having to think about them. And again, the idea of going all the way to Pudong (as you know, the location of the visa place is about as inconvenient as they come) and being told that you forgot a silly document is not appealing to anyone, let alone those of us who wait to the last possible day!

How long is the RP valid for?

Unfortunately I only got 1 year this time. Vincent told me there are few new hurdles for five years and since I went there on the last possible day there was no more time to prepare the additional docs. Oh well, live and learn.

Ah, okay. Would be interesting to find out what these new hurdles are.

Another forum member is planning on renewing within the next few weeks, and he's going to inquire about details.

I did learn from the agency that each of the different paths to 5 years (e.g. 600k or more in taxed income, registered office in a free trade zone, A level work permit, employment in encouraged industry or directly by the Chinese government, long history, foreign expert) now require additional documentation.

Mine doesn't expire until August but I'm wondering if I can apply now, given I'll be traveling for the summer and won't be back until late July... [update - I called them and they said you generally apply 1 month before expiration]

Last time I extended my RP (Q1) I heard one way to get a 5-year is to certify you have Chinese ancestry. Apparently there is a government office that does that (Office of Overseas Chinese affairs, on Yan'An and Wulumuqi). So this time I'm going to see if I can get this certification and get a 5-year RP.

Aye, that's how I always understood it. I wanted to apply before that once, as it would have made it so much easier, and was told it wasn't possible. HOWEVER, I never pushed it, and wasn't sure if it was a HARD "no" or just someone trying to get rid of me.


(bolding mine)

Would love to know what those are exactly.
I got a 5-year RP issued late last year, so it would be fascinating to find out what they possibly could be asking for that they didn't.

Went to China a couple of times via train from HK in April, and no one asked for test at train terminal or immigration.

went through Lo Wu on Thursday, took 3 hours to get through with 5 day visa and everybody’s tests were being checked

Entered at PVG yesterday via flight from SFO. Check-in for US flight required visual display of QR code.Timatic told them to do it. China immigration and baggage claim exit queue took two hours. Scan QR and fingerprints at immigration. My passport and multi-year visa were studied thoroughly. No test confirmation request.

Can folks who’ve entered on M visas recently speak to their experiences at immigration? Spooked by the traveler who reported they were asked for their invitation letter. Mine was issued pre pandemic so I no longer have that invitation letter.

What were they checking as far as tests? The QR code or were they actually asking people to look at their self taken antigen tests? Would be strange since the vast majority of people crossing at LoWu wouldn’t need any testing at all.

When I crossed at Lowu last month there was a woman staffer standing at the entrance to the passport channel on HK side asking how long I'd been in Hong Kong. That was it.

My work colleagues (x3) have travelled recently and all have been asked for invitations

Do you mean copies of invitation letters that you might have received 5+ years ago? If so, that's insane.

Everybody was channelled around a group of officials who took details of everyone. They just looked at my photo of my test and nodded but still took ages noting down details

I entered on a 1 year multiple M visa.
Pre-pandemic there were never any questions at all, I simply passed through after they checked my documents, face and fingers.
However this time, I got some weird questions about who my employer was and the clerk used an unusually long time to flip through the passport multiple times... Very odd...
Didn't get a question directly about the invitation letter, but maybe it would have helped to show it to avoid those questions...

(But why, it's the embassy/consulate that checks your invitation and gives the visa, I though the job for the clerk at immigration was just to verify that the visa/passport matches the person entering.)

The immigration officer is there is review whether you're admissable to the country, and that includes all aspects of your entry.

The fact that you have a visa in your passport is just confirmation that you have satisfied some process that has been approved by an overseas consulate, and is effectively a green light for companies to transport you to China, and evidence that the immigration officer will take into account at the border. But an immigration officer can open a full investigation into whether your visa is valid, double check all the supporting evidence for that, require further clarification and interview you needed, and if deemed necessary cancel the visa in your passport and return you from whence you came.

Never underestimate the power of an immigration officer to ruin your plans.

(And this comment doesn't just apply to China)

And it doesn't just apply to visas either - it can apply to ETAs/ESTAs or ETA-less visa exempt.

We might speculate on the reason.
When I presented an Australian passport at YUL in Feb, I was grilled on my RTW itin. I think the CBSA officer was expecting a simple R/T.
I don't know whether your grilling was due to heightened tensions.

Flying in Tomorrow
 

Hi everyone,

As far as I know, there's only one form -- the Health Declaration form -- to fill out. Of course, I don't have a local contact, which the form requests (any suggestions? Just write my name and number again? Or, the first hotel info?)

I'm planning on leaving early the next morning to Zhengzhou from Beijing West. Looking forward to joining the mosh pit to buy tickets (do I need a local SIM to do so these days?) I used to go to those 代售处 agents to buy tickets, since there were never any queues. Are those still a thing?

Appreciate your potential advice,
3F

-I would NOT advise writing your own name/number a second time; I suppose your hotel name and number will be fine

-I think you can buy train tickets from ctrip using your email address (instead of a local phone number)
-and, I believe that 售票处 can still issue physical tickets on the spot
-of course, you'll probably want a local SIM if you're going to be in China for more than a few days, but that could probably wait until after you get to Zhengzhou

Buy rail tickets from trip.com They have a small surcharge but it should do the trick. Just make sure to enter your passport number correctly. You should not need the printed tickets - your passport is your ticket.

Thanks, moondog .

Given that I've only got a tourist visa, I'd just get the cheapest SIM. Do you reckon any ol' China Mobile in Zhengzhou would do?

Suppose the alternative is what was suggested below by (thanks to you, too) Palal . If all one needs is a passport (to serve as the ticket), that's intriguing, especially considering those 保安, err, "guards" by the station entrance might be confused when they try to check the ticket info.

From what I've read, high speed rail has gone fully paperless and there are no more printed tickets for "G" and "D" trains. You buy a ticket linked to your passport/ID number and scan your passport at the "manual" gate to enter the station/platform. I will try it out next month.

Lol I wrote myself as the local contact

Maybe I should have written down “I know moondog”

I've not filled out any Chinese forms in over a year; I just use a thick black marker pen and write "See Vincent" on every page. :)

China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom all work nicely in both Beijing and Zhengzhou (pretty much everywhere in China, actually, but I'll give Mobile an edge for really remote areas). And, their pricing is similar (cheap).

I don't think it really matters if you grab a SIM in Beijing or Zhengzhou. Definitely bring your passport; you should be able to use your hotel if they need a local address because you will be (PSB) registered with them.

Don't waste too much time planning the SIM card drill. Simply note where the bigger stores are when you plan your outings and try to slot in a visit.




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