CIBT wishes you a Happy New Year and wants to provide a quick update about changes to foreign national admissions to China and visa issuance. These changes represent another cautious step forward to regular travel to and from China.

On December 26, 2022, the government of China announced that beginning Monday, January 9, 2023 foreign national visitors are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival. (The current policy requires a five-day quarantine in a government sponsored facility and a three-day quarantine at a hotel or home). Travelers entering China will need to present a negative PCR (nucleic acid test) taken no earlier than 48-hours prior to departure.

At the moment, the government of China is granting visas for Business (M visa), Work Permits (Z visa), Family Visit/Family Reunion visas, Flight Crew, and some student visas. (We expect an announcement about visas for tourism and other visa categories in the coming weeks).

The government of China has indicated that it will work with its individual consulates to process visas in an expeditious manner. In talking with our clients and customers, we know that there is pent-up demand to return to China after nearly three years of restricted borders caused by the global pandemic. It is important that we set the right expectations for them during this period of dynamic change.

In addition, the Chinese government promised to clarify their policies on outbound travel from China in the near future and we will provide updates as those policies are announced.

As of this writing, as many as 12 governments (including Australia, Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States) are requiring individuals coming from, or having visited China to provide a negative PCR test to enter their countries. More countries may implement a similar requirement in the coming days.

The changes occurring with regard to China are dynamic and fluid and more updates will be provided as events warrant.

Key Points

• Beginning January 9, 2023 foreign national visitors to China are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival

• Travelers entering China will need to present a negative PCR (nucleic acid test) taken no earlier than 48-hours prior to departure

• Currently, the government of China is only granting the following visas: Business (M visa), Work Permits (Z visa), Family Visit/Family Reunion visas, Flight Crew, and some student visas