Key takeaways
According to the new policy, foreign nationals who meet one of the following conditions no longer need a PU letter to apply for entry visas:
- Foreign nationals who will work in China and have successfully applied for a Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit (WPNL).
- Foreign nationals who hold a valid China Work Permit ("WP").
- Dependent family members of the above-mentioned foreign nationals, including spouses and children under 18 years old.
Below we summarize the current commonly available entry visa categories and corresponding PU Letter requirements. Visa applicants should confirm with the relevant Chinese embassies and consulates their specific requirements prior to the application.
Visa Category |
Purpose |
Requirement |
M visa |
Commercial and trade |
- PU Letter for business is required. |
F visa |
Exchange and visits |
- PU Letter for business is required. |
Z visa |
Work |
- PU Letter is NOT required.
- WPNL or WP 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.
|
X1/X2 visa |
Study |
- PU Letter is NOT required.
- JW201/JW202 form is required.
|
R visa |
Talent |
- PU Letter is NOT required.
- Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talent is required.
|
Following the visa facilitation policy implemented in mid-March 2021 for applicants who are fully inoculated with Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, the partial lifting of the PU Letter requirement is another big step towards reopening the border, though tourist visas, transition visas and visa-exemption policies continue to be suspended until further notice.
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Zora Mao is an associate of FenXun Partners who is a premier Chinese law firm. 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.