IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Chinese government recently suspended the issuance of new short-term visas to nationals of Japan and South Korea.

Key Points:

  • As of Jan. 10, nationals of Japan and South Korea are temporarily unable to apply for short-term visas to travel to China.
  • The visa suspension does not apply to Japanese and South Korean nationals who currently hold valid short-term visas; these individuals can still travel to China using their previously issued visas.
  • Chinese authorities stated they “will take reciprocal measures” for countries that impose COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers from China.
  • More information regarding China’s decision to suspend the issuance of short-term visas is available here.

BAL Analysis: Chinese authorities suspended the issuance of short-term visas as a reciprocal response to Japan’s and South Korea’s recent decision to implement COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers from China. Japanese and South Korean nationals should expect delays when planning travel to China.

Many countries around the world have implemented similar COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers from China. It is currently unclear if Chinese authorities will impose reciprocal measures on other countries. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

Many countries have implemented or are planning to implement COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers from China following a recent surge of COVID-19 cases. The countries that have implemented COVID-19 testing requirements include:

  • Australia. As of Jan. 5, travelers from China, Hong Kong or Macao must have proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before departure. Travelers who are under the age of 12 or have evidence that they have recovered from COVID-19 within 30 days before departure are exempt from the testing requirement.
  • Costa Rica. Beginning Jan. 9, individuals traveling from or who have been in China, Hong Kong or Macao within 14 days before intended arrival must have proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours before departure.
  • France. As of Jan. 5, travelers coming from China on a direct flight or with a layover must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure and submit a sworn COVID-19 statement.
  • India. As of Jan. 1, travelers ages 12 and older from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand must complete the self-declaration form before travel and submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure on this website.
  • Israel. Non-Israeli nationals traveling from China must have proof of a negative PCR test taken before departure to enter the country.
  • Italy. As of Jan. 4, travelers from China, Hong Kong or Macao must submit proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours or 48 hours before departure, respectively. Travelers must also take an antigen test upon arrival at the airport or within 48 hours after arrival.  
  • Qatar. As of Jan. 3, travelers arriving from China must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours before departure.
  • South Korea. As of Jan. 5, all travelers from China must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours or 24 hours before departure, respectively, and register through the Q-Code System within 48 hours before departure. Korean nationals and long-stay foreign nationals must take a PCR test within 24 hours after arrival; short-stay foreign nationals must take a PCR test upon arrival at the airport testing center.
  • Spain. As of Jan. 3, travelers ages 12 and older from China must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure, a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure, or a certificate of recovery issued at least 11 days but no more than 180 days after the first positive PCR or antigen test.
  • Taiwan. As of Jan. 1, travelers on direct flights from mainland China must take a PCR test upon arrival. Beginning Jan. 6, travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao must have proof of a negative PCR test or antigen test taken within 48 hours or 24 hours before departure, respectively.
  • United Kingdom. As of Jan. 5, travelers from mainland China must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within two days before departure. Beginning Jan. 8, random travelers from China will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. U.K. authorities have yet to set testing requirements for those arriving in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Additional Information: Other countries, including Canada, Japan and the United States have also implemented COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers from China. Additional countries are expected to do so in the coming days and weeks.

BAL Analysis: Recent COVID-19 testing requirement changes make travel from China to certain countries more difficult. Countries may add entry requirements and restrictions with little or no notice because of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in China. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Chinese government recently announced it will end its requirement for travelers to quarantine upon arrival beginning Jan. 8.

Key Points:

  • Individuals traveling to China must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure.
  • Travelers must declare their negative test results to China Customs by completing a health declaration form via the China Customs app or at this website.
  • Upon arrival, individuals who show symptoms during their entry inspection will be required to take an antigen test. If they test positive, they will be required to self-quarantine.
  • Travelers will no longer need to obtain a green health code from a Chinese consular office or embassy before departure.

BAL Analysis: After nearly three years, China is moving toward reopening its borders as the country greatly reduces its COVID-19 mitigation efforts. The Chinese health agency has downgraded COVID-19 from a Class A to a Class B infectious disease, allowing for less stringent health management regulations. China is expected to announce measures to facilitate foreign travel to the country for work, business, study, family visits and reunions in the near future. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Canadian government recently announced that it will increase its COVID-19 testing requirements for air travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macao.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 5, air travelers age 2 or older who arrive from China, Hong Kong or Macao must have proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure.
  • Travelers who provide proof that they tested positive for COVID-19 more than 10 days but no more than 90 days before departure are exempt from the negative test requirement.
  • This temporary COVID-19 testing policy applies to all travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macao, regardless of their nationality or COVID-19 vaccination status, and will be in place for at least 30 days, after which Canadian authorities will reevaluate the need for such measures.

Additional Information: Airlines must receive the negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of a positive COVID-19 test result taken within the prior 10 to 90 days before the traveler can board the plane to Canada.

BAL Analysis: Canadian authorities will increase its COVID-19 testing requirements for air travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macao because of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the country and regions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Wednesday that it would implement a new COVID-19 testing requirement on air travel from China.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 5 at 12:01 a.m. ET, air passengers 2 years or older will be required to provide their airline with proof of a negative COVID-19 test if they are:
    • Traveling directly to the U.S. from Mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau; or
    • Transiting through Incheon International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport or Vancouver International Airport to the U.S. if they were in China in the last 10 days.
  • The requirement will apply regardless of nationality or vaccination status. It will remain in effect until further notice.
  • Passengers who tested positive more than 10 days before air travel may provide documentation of recovery from COVID-19 instead of a negative test.
  • Airlines will be required to confirm the negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recovery before passengers board.

Additional Information: The CDC said it was implementing the testing measure “to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the United States during the surge in COVID-19 cases” in China, citing a “lack of adequate and transparent epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data” from the country. More COVID-related information on international travel to and from the U.S. is available here.

This alert has been provided by BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

 

Get this news and more in the new episode of BAL’s podcast, the BAL Immigration Report, available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts or on the BAL news site.

‌This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright ©2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Chinese government recently reduced its COVID-19 quarantine and testing requirements for inbound travelers.

Key Points:

  • As of Nov. 12, inbound travelers must quarantine for five days at a centralized location and three days at home upon arrival. Previously, travelers were required to quarantine for seven days at a centralized location and three days at home.
  • Travelers must have proof of one negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure instead of two negative PCR tests.
  • Chinese authorities is no longer canceling inbound flights when COVID-19 cases increase.

Additional Information: More information regarding China’s COVID-19 entry requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Individuals are reminded that COVID-19 entry requirements for China may change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Chinese government has announced that it will allow Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) card holders and students to enter the country.

Key Points:

  • As of Aug. 24, foreign nationals who hold APEC business travel cards can enter the country to conduct business activities without having to apply for a new visa. Previously, APEC card holders were required to apply for special permission to enter China.
  • Foreign nationals who hold valid student residence permits can enter the country without having to apply for a new visa. Foreign nationals can also apply for a new X1 or S1/2 visa to enter the country.
  • More information regarding the latest visa requirements for foreign national students in China is available here. Those traveling to China should ensure they adhere to current COVID-19 entry requirements.

BAL Analysis: APEC card holders and foreign students will now be able to enter China without having to apply for special permission to enter. Chinese authorities continue to lift border measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic as the virus situation improves around the world. Travelers are reminded that entry requirements may change with little or no notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Chinese government has waived its requirement that certain foreign nationals obtain a general invitation (PU) letter to enter China.

Key Points: 

  • As of June 6, foreign nationals can apply for work (Z) visas at Chinese consular posts without a PU letter if they:
    • Hold a valid work permit notification letter and are traveling for work in China.
    • Will work in China and have a spouse or child under the age of 18.
    • Have a spouse who is working in China and a child under the age of 18.
  • Foreign nationals traveling for business purposes still must obtain a PU letter to enter China.

Additional Information: As of June 8, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology will resume in-person services, such answering inquiries and accepting hard-copy applications.

BAL Analysis: Eligible foreign nationals will now be able to apply and obtain Z visas without having a PU letter. Those intending to apply for Z visas should work closely with their immigration provider to ensure they meet the work-visa application requirements.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The National Immigration Administration of China announced last week that it would temporarily stop issuing entry and exit documents to Chinese citizens.

Key Points:

  • As of Aug. 4, the Chinese government stopped issuing passports and entry and exit documents to Chinese citizens for nonessential and nonemergency travel.
  • The suspension includes ordinary passports, permits and endorsements for travel both to and from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
  • Chinese citizens who have confirmed overseas studies, employment or business will not be affected by the travel document suspension.

Additional Information: Chinese authorities have issued a total of 335,000 passports in the first half of 2021. This accounts for only 2% of the total number of passports that were issued in the same period of 2019.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com