Recently, we shared this information on current entry requirements to China: Travel to China: An Evolving Process. Since then, there have been further developments regarding entry requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, business visa applicants (in most countries) will no longer require the PU letter to apply for a visa. Instead, a traditional invitation letter from the inviting company will suffice.

Second, China announced reductions in their mandatory COVID quarantines for inbound travelers. The new policy is “7+3”: inbound travelers will now be required to quarantine in a designated facility for only seven days, down from the previous 14-day period. Following the seven-day period, travelers will then be required to take health monitoring for an additional three days either at home or in designated hotels.

Mandatory COVID testing remains part of the quarantine protocol. Travelers will be tested on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 of the quarantine period at the designated facility, and on the third day of their health monitoring.

The change in the quarantine protocol is seen as part of a general loosening of COVID restrictions in China. Current “high-risk” areas in China will be reduced to medium risk if they have no new COVID cases for seven days. Medium risk areas will be reduced to low risk, after three days with no new COVID cases. Within China, travelers coming from a high-risk to medium risk area will need to quarantine for seven days at a government facility; travelers coming from medium risk areas will need to quarantine at home for seven days. Those individuals traveling from a low-risk area will not be required to quarantine at all, but must take two nucleic acid tests within three days.

Newland Chase and CIBT team will continue to monitor COVID restrictions in China, and will share information on travel and immigration as they develop.