The government of China has modified its entry requirements to allow holders of valid Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business cards to once again enter China. As with many other types of entry permits, APEC card holders had been barred from entering China after the start of the COVID pandemic as the Chinese government aggressively pursued a “Zero Covid” policy which all but put an end to foreign travel to China.

Travel to China on an APEC business card still has a few conditions attached. Travelers must already hold an APEC card, and their card must be valid for the entire period of their stay in China. They also must meet any other applicable COVID-related travel requirements, and are subject to COVID testing and quarantine requirements once they enter China.

The government also announced foreign students holding a valid study residence permit could also enter China without applying for a new visa.

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card is a document designed to ease business travel among APEC member nations. Successful applicants are pre-cleared for business-related travel for periods of up to 60 or 90 days within APEC member nations. The Business Travel Card is typically valid for a period of five years.