Key takeaways
1. Relaxed visa application policies
The visa application policy has been adjusted twice in the past month. From 6 June 2022 onward, the PU Letter requirement (previously a precondition for obtaining a visa) has been waived for the following visa applications:
- Work visa (Z visa)
- Family visit visa (S1/S2 visa)
- Reunion visa (Q1/Q2 visa)
Effective 28 June 2022, the PU Letter requirement has been further waived for:
- Business visa (M visa) for commerce and trade
- Business visa (F visa) for exchange and visits
Different Chinese embassies and consulates overseas may start implementing the above waivers on different dates.
Below we summarize the adjustments made to the requirements for obtaining the most commonly available types of entry visas.
|
Visa category
|
Purpose
|
Requirement
|
|
M visa
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Commerce and trade
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- PU Letter is NOT required
- Company invitation letter from inviting entity in China is required
|
|
F visa
|
Exchange and visits
|
- PU Letter is NOT required
- Company invitation letter from inviting entity in China is required
|
|
Z visa
|
Work
|
- PU Letter is NOT required
- Work Permit Notification Letter or Work Permit is required
|
|
S1/S2 visa
|
Family visit
|
- PU Letter is NOT required
- Relationship certificate is required
|
|
Q1/Q2 visa
|
Reunion
|
- PU Letter is NOT required
- Relationship certificate is required
|
|
R visa
|
Talent
|
- PU Letter is NOT required
- Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talent is required
|
Tourist visas, transit visas and visa exemption policies remain suspended.
2. Simplified measures for pre-departure testing and HDC-Code application
Following the adjustment to pre-departure testing and HDC-Code application requirements in late May 2022 (see our previous alert here), in late June, the Chinese embassies and consulates overseas further announced the removal of antigen test requirements in selected locations. China-bound travelers now only need to take two nucleic acid tests before boarding. Generally, the first nucleic acid test should be taken within 48 hours before boarding, and the second nucleic acid test within 24 hours before boarding, although specific rules may still vary depending on the relevant country or region.
Travelers who have an infection history or are close contacts of a person with COVID-19, and travelers with symptoms of COVID-19 must follow additional self-quarantine and health-monitoring requirements for a certain period and take additional nucleic acid tests at required intervals.
3. Shortening of post-arrival quarantine period to "7+3" days
On 28 June 2022, a State Council body issued the Epidemic Prevention and Control Plan for COVID-19, adjusting the quarantine measures. In particular, the post-arrival quarantine period for China-bound travelers was shortened from "14+7" days to "7+3" days, meaning the centralized quarantine period has been shortened from 14 days to seven days, and the home-based health status monitoring period has been shortened from seven days to three days.
This means the total quarantine period has been adjusted from 21 days to 10 days. Nevertheless, business travelers, first-time inbound visitors and other China-bound travelers who are unable to satisfy the conditions of home-based health status monitoring will be required to spend all 10 days in quarantine at a designated hotel or isolation facility.
Note that government authorities, including Chinese embassies and consulates overseas, may have specific local requirements. In addition, there are many temporary measures, which may be adjusted or changed at any time with short or no notice, depending on the local COVID-19 circumstances. Companies and individuals should confirm the specific requirements with the relevant government authorities and Chinese embassies and consulates prior to making their travel plans.
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Zora Mao is an associate in FenXun Partners. FenXun established a Joint Operation Office with Baker McKenzie in China as Baker McKenzie FenXun, which was approved by the Shanghai Justice Bureau in 2015.
Baker & McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office is a joint operation between Baker & McKenzie LLP, an Illinois limited liability partnership, and FenXun Partners, a Chinese law firm. The Joint Operation has been approved by the Shanghai Justice Bureau. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organisations, reference to a "partner" means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. This may qualify as “Attorney Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
This client alert has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Baker & McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this client alert is not an exhaustive treatment of the area of law discussed and no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of material in this presentation is accepted by Baker & McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office.
