Archive
The links and articles here are largely outdated. Double check any information you find on these pages.
China COVID News
News articles relevant to your return to China.
China refuses to lift suspension on multiple-entry visas despite appeal from thousands of Chinese-Americans
South China Morning Post - January 21, 2023
China further eases Covid-19 rules for inbound travel
South China Morning Post - August 8, 2022
PU Letter Exemption for Z-Work Visa Applicants: Latest Updates
China Briefing - July 27, 2022
China eases Covid entry restriction to allow transit via third country
South China Morning Post - July 2, 2022
China’s strict Covid-19 border controls show more signs of easing, as Zhejiang province cuts entry quarantine
South China Morning Post - June 23, 2022
Zero Covid still less costly than living with it, China’s top expert Zhong Nanshan says
South China Morning Post - November 2, 2021
Coronavirus: three cases of new Mu variant found in Hong Kong arrivals
South China Morning Post - September 3, 2021
Coronavirus: Hong Kong ‘very likely’ to tighten quarantine rules, government adviser reveals
South CHina Morning Post - August 14, 2021
China Coronavirus: Beijing vaccinates over seventy percent of population in lead up to Winter Olympics
South China Morning Post - June 18, 2021
China vaccination rates skyrocket as millions respond to Covid-19 outbreaks.
South China Morning Post - May 19, 2021
Quarantine in Shanghai extended to 21 days with a 7-Day Homestay
Smart Shanghai - May 15, 2021
Pfizer Pill to Treat COVID Symptoms Could Be Ready by Year’s End, CEO Says
Mescape - April 28, 2021
China may approve 1st foreign Covid Vaccine by July
Expat Focus - April 17, 2021
YES! No Quarantine to Enter Hong Kong from Mainland from Mid-May
ShekouDaily - April 13, 2021
China-US Travel Could Return to Normal by August: CDC
That’s ShenZhen - April 10, 2021
China ‘could start easing travel restrictions by next spring’
SCMP - April 6, 2021
Covid: China International Health Certificate Launches
WeiXin - March 24, 2021
Coronavirus: Hongkongers aren’t rushing for vaccines, and that means herd immunity could be another 300 days away, experts say
SCMP - March 19, 2021
Covid-19: China may not relax border controls until 2022 as vaccination plan makes slow progress
SCMP - March 5, 2021
China’s Inbound Travel to Resume in 2021 – US Allowed First?
WeiXin - February 22, 2021
Travel Guidance
Here you’ll find resources regarding travelng with COVID-19 restrictions and policies.
Hong Kong Easing Hotel Quarantine Rules: What You Need to Know
Explainer for new Hong Kong quarantine rules for overseas arrivals
China’s Covid-19 Travel Rules
South China Morning Post’s explainer on entry restrictions, quarantine, vaccinations and testing requirements.
Counting by Sevens - Reentry Into China
An account of the process of reentry into China.
Procedure for Entering China after Contracting Covid
From the Chinese Embassy in Singapore.
Explainer: China’s quarantine: how long, what does it cost and what is the food like?
South China Morning Post list of frequently asked questions regarding quarantining in China.
Chinese Visa Policy Updates
Updates on applying for a new visa to enter China.
Can I travel to mainland China?
A guide from the South China Morning Post on entering the mainland.
Hong Kong Travel Guidance
Hong Kong recently reclassified the United States as a high-risk (Group A) nation, so travelers coming from the United States will now face stricter controls. This page contains information regarding current policies.
Travel Docs Newsletter
Information from Travel Docs on passports and vaccination cards.
US Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
For registering with your local embassy or consulate.
Travel, Arrival, and Quarantine
Advice on what to expect when traveling back to China.
Rules for Quarantine in Different Areas of China
List of basic quarantine policies organized by province.
Quarantine on Arrival
Detailed advice and instructions for the actual quarantine, once you arrive in China.
WeChat Groups for Travel Support
A document listing admins for WeChat groups that will give assistance regarding travel to China. Look up group by your origin country and countries travelling through.
To gain access to a group, first add the administrator as a friend, then request to be added to group.
Examples of provided information:
- Where in a transit airport you get a covid test.
- What kind of test to expect for your kids (nasal or throat swab).
- How to deal with Chinese consulates in your country.
CDC Travel Guidance
The CDC’s recommendations for travil during COVID-19.
Countries Open to Vaccinated Travelers
List of countries where vaccinated travelers can visit.
FAQ - Travel and Testing Requirements Document
A document of frequently asked questions regarding non-Chinese citizents returning to China from the United States.
HeyExpat - May 2021 China Flights
A list of all flights in and out of China, for May 2021.
Going Back Algorithm
A flowchart outlining steps for returning to China.
Foreign Expert Points Evaluation System
A table showing point allocations for evaluating foreign experts coming to China.
Expat Focus - Boarding Requirements
Explanation of boarding requirements for innoculated personnel from US.
Foreign Affair Office Contact Details
List of contact numbers for Foreign Affiars Offices, at various provinces & district levels.
Travel Bans
Worldwide, per-country list of current travel bans.
Sherpa
Interactive tool for planning ahead for travel restrictions.
IATA
Interactive travel restrictions map.
Trip.com
Easy summary of travel restrictions by country.
US State Dept
Official page for international travel restrictions.
Travel News
Detailed COVID-19 travel map.
CIBT Visas
Dedicated COVID-19 tab that has information on entry restrictions, entry health requirements, transit restrictions, etc.
USA Travel
Here you’ll find information regarding travel to the United states.
NAFSA COVID-19 Page
Guidance on restrictions on U.S. Visas and Entry.
World Data
Here you’ll find links to data on worldwide vaccineation rates and roll-out.
Humanitarian Data Exchange
Detailed vaccination rollout map.
Vaccine Information
Here you’ll find information about the COVID vaccine and how to find one.
Do we really need coronavirus vaccine booster shots?
Article on the possibility of needing future booster shots.
FDA Vaccine Hub
Information on the different vaccines.
CDC COVID-19 Hub
General guidance for COVID-19 and vaccination.
Participating Pharmacies
Vaccine providers by state.
How do I get a vaccine?
Resources for finding a vaccine.
Experiences & Advice
Advice from the experiences of others who have been through returning to China.
Registering with the Embassy or Consulate
It is always wise to register with the embassy and/or your closest consulate. There are regular scheduled newsletters sent out to citizens as well as emergency alerts and special relevant news items sent to those registered. For example there was an alert sent on June 4, 2021 with detailed information concerning â US citizens may directly return to the United States with certain expired US passports. This information was specific for people in China and was not in any news article that we have seen anywhere.
Advice for those traveling with children
From those who have recently been through quarantine
If you are traveling with more than 1 child you can request for your family to not be separated, but that may or may not be considered. (This seems to be based on what city and area you are doing your quarantine)
You should pack you bags with expectation that you could be separated so that each person has their items (and snacks etc) in a bag that they can take with them.
If anyone in your family tests positive for Covid as they assess you before quarantine or anytime during quarantine that person will be separated and taken to a Covid hospital for observation. There is no age limit on this. Small children and infants do not have any exceptions.
This is something you should take into consideration when deciding how and when you should travel, as well as prepare for.
Many have packed a bag for each child with iPad, chargers, snacks and even a phone if at all possible. This is for the child to take with them if they had to be separated during quarantine.
If you are traveling with a nursing baby you should think through how to prepare for the possibility that you might be separated from your baby in the unlikely event you tested positive during quarantine.
It would be good to identify someone in the city you are quarantining in that could come into quarantine and care for your baby if both parents tested positive.
It seems to vary city by city what type of Covid test they give children, such as nasal swab or throat swab.
Note: It has been recommended to wait 4 weeks after vaccine and 12 weeks after recovering from Covid before travel. This is to avoid having high levels of antibodies upon arrival in China.
Z Visa Experience
Experience with obtaining Z visa, with residence permit in old passport, and entering China after COVID vaccination. From March 2021.
One person was able, with help from local administration, to move from a Class B visa to a Class A visa allowing him to have a one year resident visa past age 60.