Angel Qian, Lead Manager at Dwellworks and our partner for Chinese immigration, has provided us with an insight into the latest updates of Chinese immigration and life during the pandemic.

Social and economic life in China continues largely at pre-Covid, ‘normal levels’, with only few restrictions remaining in place. Strict arrival and quarantine measures continue to be implemented for entry into the country. For Hong Kong new quarantine and arrival measures have been issued, in light to a decrease of locally transmitted cases.

Mainland China

Arrival Procedures:

While general entry is still restricted, foreign nationals holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion are allowed to enter China, with no need for applying for new entry visas.

Other entry visas for essential economic, trade, scientific and technological activities are being processed in several countries. For this a special government PU invitation letter is also required, which will need to be issued through the Chinese Foreign Affairs Offices through an extensive vetting process. Applicants who have previously received their vaccination through a Chinese vaccine are exempt from the PU application process.

Issuance of the government PU invitation letter for accompanying family members are currently still suspended by the local authorities in most cities, until further notice.

Quarantine Measures after arrival:

Since November, all Chinese and foreign passengers bound for China are required to take a nucleic acid (PCR-Test) and IgM anti-body tests and apply for a green health code with the “HS” mark or a certified health declaration form within 48 hours before boarding the flight. More details can be found on each Chinese Embassy or Consulate website in overseas (e.g. http://de.china-embassy.org/det/sgyw/t1828296.htm)

Upon entry all passengers arriving from abroad need to undergo an additional nucleic acid test and wait for the outcome at the airport, before being brought to assigned accommodation. This accommodation is arranged by the government and specifically used for the quarantine period. The passenger is assigned to a hotel closest to their residence/office location and there is only limited option to choose from different budget categories. The accommodation cannot be prebooked in general.

Upon arrival at the hotel the passenger will need to undergo a 14-day centralized quarantine. Shanghai and some other destinations require another 7 days or 14 days home quarantine stay ( self-health monitoring).

There are destinations such as Beijing, that has 21 days quarantine. If you arrive to another city and complete 14-day quarantine, we suggest staying out of Beijing until 22nd days of stay in China has passed to avoid the 3– week lock down.

Expat Management’s outbound team coordinates moves to China and almost any other country in the world. If you would like to send an employee abroad, please reach out to dedic@expatmanagementgroup.com