China Travel Restrictions Update

On 23 September 2020, the Foreign Ministry and National Immigration Administration of China issued an update to the entry ban for foreign nationals. Foreign nationals holding Chinese residence permits for the purposes of work, personal matters or reunion may enter China without applying for the new visa. The residence permit needs to be valid on the day of entering China. Apart from that, foreigners holding the diplomatic, official, courtesy and C visa will not be prevented from entering China. Same rules apply to the holders of permanent residence cards.

Holders of other categories of residence permits and visas as well as nationals of the countries to which the visa on arrival and visa free regime applies are still banned from entering China.

However, foreign nationals engaged in the necessary economic, trade, scientific and technological activities may obtain a visa for entering China after getting the official invitation letter (PU letter) from the local Foreign Affairs Office. Documents that need to be submitted for obtaining the PU letter are:

• Completed information form
• Passport copy
• Commitment letter (stating that the applicant will obey the regulations on epidemic prevention and control)
• Schedule (stating the detailed itinerary of the applicant)
• Close circle plan (stating the persons applicant will be in contact with after arriving to China)
• Application letter issued by the inviting company (explaining the reasons for entering China)

The inviting company in China will submit all the documents to the local Commission of Commerce according to the company’s registered place for the initial review. Commission of Commerce will forward the documents to the District Foreign Affairs Office for the second review. District Foreign Affairs Office will forward the documentation to the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office for the final review and approval.

Reasons for the applicants visit to China have to be urgent and exigent for the PU letter to be obtained. Usually, only the senior managers of Medium and Large Enterprises or the technique researchers of key projects may obtain the PU letter. After obtaining the PU letter, applicant can apply for the visa at the nearest Consulate of China. The validity of special visa is from 30 to 180 days.

Please note that the PU letter application process may vary depending on the municipality PU letter application is submitted. After entering China, applicant still needs to be quarantined for 14 days as required by the China’s health authorities.