The Chinese embassy and consulates are facilitating visa processing for individuals inoculated with the Chinese COVID vaccine.
March 15, 2021
Individuals who have been inoculated with the Chinese COVID vaccine, obtained the vaccination certificate, and fit any of the following criteria can now process visas in accord with pre-pandemic guidelines.
The requirements for pre-flight COVID tests, quarantine and observation have not changed.
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Foreign nationals returning for work and their family members.
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Individuals reuniting with family may now fall under the category of ‘emergency humanitarian needs.’
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Holders of APEC business travel cards will be able to apply for the M visa again.
If you fit into the criteria listed above and are interested in processing a visa, please contact us for more
information. This policy only applies to those who receive the COVID vaccine produced in China. As soon as we have more information regarding how to get the Chinese COVID vaccine, we will post it here and on social media, please follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more news.
If this policy is adjusted to include vaccines produced in the United States or other countries, we will post more information at that time.
Temporary Suspension of Entry by
Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Visas
China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China by foreign nationals holding visas, except for certain categories, issued prior to 28 march 2020. Entry by foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards has also been suspended as well. Foreigners that are Residency Permit holders are now allowed to enter China. For you to travel, you will need to apply for an emergency visa. The process is to obtain an official invitation from the local Foreign Affair office. Please note that a letter from the inviting company in China is also required, but you must obtain an official invitation letter first, which will take a couple of weeks. A sample is hereby enclosed. Once when you get the official invitation letter, we will send a request to the Visa Section at the Chinese Consulate for approval. Additional documents and processes are required. We will guide you through the process, and please contact our office maihoang@usccc.org or 312-368-9029. If you have a current valid Chinese visa, there will not be any additional fee charged by the Chinese Consulate. However, you will still need to pay USCCC processing fee plus additional shipping costs as the Chinese Consulate will not accept any in-person submission. USCCC has been working with the Chinese Consulate to provide assistance to our members and the general public to travel to China on an emergency basis.
For additional information, please visit the Chinese Embassy website
Negative Nucleic Acid and Anti-Body Blood Tests Results
November 6, 2020 Pacific Time, all Chinese and foreign passengers bound for China will be required to take nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests and apply for a green health code with the "HS" mark or a certified health declaration form before boarding the flight. Then effective December 1, 2020, the Chinese Embassy/Consulates General will issue QR code with "HDC" mark for foreign passengers who are to fly from the U.S. to China. Foreign passengers can apply for the QR code with "HDC" mark by logging on the website of https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/ via computer or smart phone. The test requirements are as follows:
1. Passengers bound for China via direct flights must take nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests at a testing institution in the U.S. within 48 hours before boarding. Upon receiving the certificates of negative results of both tests, they need to submit them to the Chinese Embassy/Consulates (based on the consular district of the testing place) and apply for a green health code with the "HS" mark or a certified health declaration form.
2. Passengers bound for China via connecting flights must take nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests in the U.S. within 48 hours before boarding, and then take both tests a second time in their last transit country within 48 hours before boarding the plane to China. Passengers must apply from the Chinese Embassies/Consulates in BOTH countries (the U.S. and the last transit country) for green health codes with the "HS" mark or certified health declaration forms with their certificates of negative results of both tests. [Unconfirmed, but one traveler has informed us that she did not need to take another test if she did not leave the plane.]
3. For passengers transiting in the U.S. before flying to China, please note that currently tests are not available in most American airports. Passengers are recommended to use caution when choosing to transit in the U.S. If there is a need to do so, please check in advance about the U.S. entry restrictions for foreigners, apply for a U.S. visa if necessary, take the nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests a second time after entering the U.S., and present the certificates of negative results to the Chinese Embassy/Consulates in the U.S. to apply for a green health code with the "HS" mark or a certified health declaration form. If the requirement for boarding is not met, there will be a high risk of getting stranded at the airport or even being sent back to the point of departure.
Insider Stories in Following the Protocol Going to China During the Pandemic
To provide you with some insider about traveling to China during this challenging time, I have asked some recent travelers to share with me their experience. Please see below.
Good luck to all of you on your trips, and please let us know if I can be of any assistance. Feel free to forward this to your friends and colleagues. If you have anything that you want to share, please send to me directly sivayam@usccc.org.
This is from one of our members who recently traveled to China.
Posted on October 15, 2020
Siva, very good to hear from you. I am glad you are well. So today is day 10. Almost there. Overall the experience continues to be good. Very professionally run by the government. I have a plane ticket from Hongqiao to Tianjin on Wednesday at 11:10AM.
Please share my experience, really no problem. In fact, if people have questions, I would be happy to answer them. A couple of things I wish I had brought with me, or brought more of:
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Hot sauce or spices to put on the food.
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A second pair of sweat pants
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A third pair of gym shorts
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Laxatives – when you sit all day, things do not move the same way!
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A bottle opener. Some of the beer I have is in bottles. The hotel can’t provide an opener.
I will keep you posted on the remaining 5 days.
Thanks for help with the documents.
I read an article in the WSJ (I download daily on my Kindle), that “hundreds” of business travelers have started going back to China. I feel very fortunate that I am part of this small group.
I hope to return to China twice in 2021. Once in May and once again in October. I look forward to working with you for these trips.
I will call you when I return. Perhaps I can make a visit to Chicago yet this year.
Posted October 5, 2020
Siva –
Today is day 9 of 14 in the local quarantine hotel in Shanghai. The arrival process was smooth and organized. The hotel and staff are very accommodating. Food comes three times per day… I can not leave my room.
The 72 hour prior to flight COVID test is mandatory. It is important to note that the negative report of novel coronavirus nucleic acid test (COVID-19 nucleic acid RT-PCR test, which uses a swab to collect a respiratory sample from your nostrils or throat) is accepted. The results of rapid test, antigen test, antibody test or serology test are not accepted. http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/zyxx/t1806039.htm also: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/zyxx/t1812479.htm The attached China Health Declaration (note: this is a different Declaration than the one used for the visa application) must be sent to the China Consulate – along with the Negative Test Results… and a stamped copy returned to the traveler. This stamped form is required to board the airplane(s) in the US – and must be shown at PVG.
I also recommend that the travelers go to the US State Department website… set up an account… and log their trip & contact information. http://mytravel.state.gov -- This way the State Department can alert them to any situations.
Also attached is the Entry Requirements provided by Finnair – the airline that I flew from Helsinki to Shanghai. -- Must follow these directions to receive the Entry QR code required to exit the airplane. The traveler should see the QR requirements well before their flight & ensure that they have all of the necessary information… especially including the address of their stay immediately following the mandatory quarantine. http://health.customsapp.com/home/pages/index/index.html (click Declare to see in English). The traveler should submit this request just prior to boarding on their final connection to Shanghai – the QR code has relatively short expiration timestamp. Take Screenshots of all QR codes and save them the Photos… the code(s) will be requested a number of times in the process.
Please note that the first step upon arrival at the Pudong airport is a Health Interview. When the interviewer found out that I was from the U.S. he became very concerned. He advised that almost no Americans visit now – and that China is very concerned for American visitors. After the first interview – I had to go to a second ‘Special’ interview station for lots more questions about the U.S. & my recent activities… going to restaurants, theaters, the COVID condition of my home city, questions about my family, home construction, etc. There was a brief moment that I was concerned that they would not allow me into the country. I answered all of the questions truthfully… and apparently to the interview team’s satisfaction. – Travelers must be ready for this process.
Upon arrival at the quarantine hotel – the traveler will be provided the Rules – see attached .jpg’s -- These are all in Mandarin. Siva - it would be helpful for you to translate these and put on your website. The traveler must agree to and sign each of the Rules pages. Travelers should download Microsoft Translator APP on their laptop & mobile phones. On the mobile phone APP settings – download the “Offline Languages” so that wi-fi is not required for the translation.
At the hotel the travelers can purchase packaged snacks, extra toiletries, and canned soda. This requires payment by QR code… if the traveler does not have WePay or Alipay it is important that they have a local contact that they can scan the delivery QR code and send to them for payment. Special purchases are not offered, example cigarettes, coffee, wine, etc. – It is possible to provide ‘incentive’ to the deliver person to provide these for a cash payment by RMB. The travelers must get their dollars converted to RMB well in advance of their trip. All of the currency exchanges are closed at PVG… and each of the in-transit airports which I flew through. Deliveries of fresh food are not allowed – no KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, etc.
A good VPN is essential for any traveler. The local hotels have no English channels. OpenVPN works very good. http://openvpn.net Subscribe to the Premium version. Bring an long HDMI cord to connect the laptop computer to the hotel room TV. Use https://ustvgo.tv to connect to nearly all US television networks for live viewing.
There is no need to share my name or authorship on your website. If of your clients receive their new visa… or are expected to receive one I will likely be in China until Thanksgiving… maybe mid-December when my visa expires.
Feel welcome to advise any additional questions or requests.
Thank you again for helping me to get here!
Best regards,
China Visas Services
We have been processing emergency visas for qualified individuals for the last 12 months and have been 100% successful.
Updated May 13, 2021
Regular visa processing for China has not yet resumed.
Only emergency visas can be processed.
About 30 months ago, China has suspended all visas issued before March 2020. Even though China has eliminated the mandatory quarantine policy for foreign travelers to China, you will still need a visa for entry. If you are looking to go to China soon, as of this time, you will need to apply for a single entry, emergency visa or a new 10 year multiple entries visa as of this time even though you have a valid 10 year visa that was issued before March 2020.
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates have just reopened, and applications for both visa and document authentication must now be submitted in person either by the applicant or a third party. Please note that application form now is 8 pages, and a number of documents are required. The following is detailed information and tips that will help you navigate the process and save time. The Chinese consulate, however, may require additional information after reviewing the application. You should also visit the Chinese Embassy and Consulates website for additional information
THIS GUIDE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY. USCCC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS. Please feel free to contact our office at info@usccc.org or 312-368-9911 (phone) and 312-368-9922 (fax).
There are three steps:
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Complete and submit the application online.
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Make an appointment online to submit the application in person.
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Submit the application in person, either yourself or a third party.
The following are tips in completing the application and assembling required documents. Please note that the Chinese consulate may require more documentation.
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Please complete the application form online. https://cova.mfa.gov.cn/qzCoCommonController.do?show&pageId=index&locale=en_US After completing the application, please print the application and the confirmation page. Sign and date. A total of 10 pages. There will be a QR Code on the application that is unique to the information you input. Please note that the sizes of these pages are A4. As in the US, the size of the paper is Letter. When you print, you will need to shrink the size to print on letter size paper. Please make sure that you fill out the application completely and check the accuracy before you submit. Once when you submit and if there is any missing or incorrect information, you will need to start all over and obtain a new QR code. Also save the file as often as needed. If you are logged out without saving your file, you will need to start all over.
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A Valid Passport with at least 6 months before it expires and two blank pages.
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A Photo – Make sure that it is not the same as the one in your passport if your passport is issued six months ago. ALTHOUGHT THE APPLICATION FORM SAYS THAT IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO UPLOAD THE PHOTO SUCCESSFULLY, YOU COULD SEND IT IN TOGETHER WITH THE FORM. THE CONSULATE NOW REQUIRES THAT THE PHOTO MUST BE UPLOADED SUCCESSFULLY. We typically advise the applicant to make sure that the photo has been uploaded successfully and still at the same time submit a photo along with the application even though this may not be needed.
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A copy of the driver’s license or utility bill to prove residency in a specific jurisdiction.
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Copy of Current and Past Chinese Visa; Original Copy if Visa is still valid; Copy of information page of the passport that has the visa and copy of most recent past visa (Electronic version is fine. We do not need the original.) If you have a valid 10 year visa and want to apply for a new 10 year visa, you will need to write a letter declaring that you are giving up the current 10 year visa and applying for a new 10 year visa.
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A letter from your inviting party in China with the following information, name, gender, date of birth, passport number, your current employer, position, purpose of going, dates of arrival and departure, duration, and relationship between you and the inviting party. The letter also needs to indicate who is going to pay for the trip. Make sure that it is on the company’s letterhead, sign, officially seal, and date. (Electronic version is fine. We do not need the original.) The inviting party also needs to put down his/her contact’s name, phone number, and address. You do NOT need a letter from the government.
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Copy of Vaccination.
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Detailed history of where you were in the last 30 days (see attached) - different jurisdictions will have different forms.
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A declaration that you are currently in the US. (See attached)
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Other items:
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Education - although the form only requires you put in detailed education background post High School, the Consulate most of the time requires that you put down information on High School or equivalent. To avoid any unnecessary delay, I suggest that you will put down the details.
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Name - in your native language. You must put down your name in your native language regardless of where you were born.
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Job Position and Description - they want as much information as possible and you need to complete this section in detail.
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Itinerary if available - not mandatory but they may ask.
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THEY STRONGLY DISCOURAGE FROM TRANSIT THROUGH A THIRD COUNTRY AND REQUIRE THAT THE APPLICANT IS CURRENTLY IN THE US.
Please feel free to contact our office at info@usccc.org or 312-368-9911 (phone) and 312-368-9922 (fax).
APPLYING FOR A CHINESE VISA POST THE PANDEMICS
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Client & Member Reviews
As a non-profit organization, we keep our processing fees as low as possible. You can receive even more benefits by signing up for U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce Membership when applying for a visa!
General Membership is only $350 per year. You will receive prioritized service, with no USCCC fees for 2 visas as well as many other benefits.
‘Without the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce and Siva, I don’t think I would have gotten my visa. There were a lot of steps, and they made those steps very easy to follow.’
(Jon traveled to China during the pandemic; after returning he spoke at a webinar hosted by the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce. To see the whole interview, click here)
December 16, 2020
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Jon R. Tabor, CEO of Allied Mineral Products