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Last updated 3rd Dec 2020 / 小杜 (los kop)
General Disclaimer
This is not an official document. It has been collated by myself from publicly available information in order to assist others. This document is intended to be a living document to provide assistance to South Africans attempting to return to China. Updates are based on the feedback and experiences of others to help those trying to return to their adopted home. As the situation is dynamic and unfolding, please use this as a guide only.
See the next page (Who can get a Visa?) for details on applications the Visa Application Center is accepting. Short version - No teachers at this current time, and no-one under CEO / higher management level.
New rules from China say that an additional negative test will be needed for transit. This means you'll need two tests in your current location and a direct flight to China. If there is no direct flight you'll need to get two separate flights departing days apart while you get the second test done in the transit country. This will mean that Air China flying out of JHB will realistically be the only flight that can be taken from South Africa to China for the immediate future. Flights - http://flights.cloudify.hk/?ff_from__fullname__icontains=tambo These rules will apply from the 5th November onward for South Africa. For additional details click here
Flight's
(aka thou shalt take no other flight out of South Africa, other than Air China) Visit the site below to see the single flight available from South Africa to China.
http://flights.cloudify.hk/?ff_from__fullname__icontains=tambo
Note that China Embassy rules state that only direct flights may be taken. This limits travel to China from South Africa to a single airline - Air China out of Johannesburg, with a 14 day quarantine in Shenzhen. See http://za.china-embassy.org/eng/sggg/t1836145.htm for further details.
Visa's
Foreign nationals with valid residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion visas will be allowed to enter China. Other categories are not currently being accepted - i.e. tourist, student visa until further notice.
Official announcement (in English) - https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjbxw/t1817370.shtml A PU invite will no longer be required after the 28th September for most existing visa holders (in the work, personal or reunion category). Exceptions: New applicants, and holders of Visa's that expired prior to March 28th 2020 will need a PU invite letter. Applicants changing job will need a PU invite letter. Students are currently not allowed back to China. South Africa is still in a State of Emergency / Lockdown. The lockdown has been extended until 15th November by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. South Africa will be allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October 2020. Chinese Consulates are still closed here under level 1, but the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) are processing applications for a limited number of categories - Z, S1, S2, M, F and Humanitarian Visa's. Process for application at CVASC: Apply online. The Application Form is available at the link below, or via the pages on the relevant city (JHB / DBN /CPT) pages on the bio.visaforchina.org site. Send all required documentation to jhbvisaforchina@gmail.com for verification (regardless of area) Once verified, CVASC will provide a date for submission at their offices. City Specific Info Beijing and Guangzhou will have slightly different requirements, especially for Health Code Registration. The majority of the information is generally applicable, regardless of city unless otherwise noted. The South African Consulate General in JHB can be contacted via email on: chinaconsul_jb_za@mfa.gov.cn chinaconsul.jhb@gmail.com Most of the information inside will also be relevant to other countries, with the exception of the South African specific parts (i.e. DHA approval) Last but not least, I leave you with this - the reason I started making and updating these pages.
Background Notes
All passengers taking inbound flights to China from overseas will be required to have a Nucleic acid test AND an IgM Anti-Body Blood Tests with results issued within 48 hours of boarding in an effort to curb the cross-border spread of COVID-19. You may only use facilities approved by the Chinese Embassy (Lancet / Ampath / Toga Laboratories/ Pathcare). Currently PathCare are the only test centre that can cater for both tests. Important: You now have 48hrs from the test date to boarding. See the Health Declaration Form page for further details.
How do I get back to mainland China from SA? (short version)
Step 1 – Obtain a new VISA (if required). See below for some scenario's (for a fuller answer see the How do I get back to Mainland China page) I'm a migrant worker, and.... I'm a new applicant, or my work permit has expired - New applicants, people changing jobs, or applicants who's visa expired prior to the 28th March 2020 will need a PU invitation letter for a successful application. You will also need a Notification Letter of Foreigners Work Permit. I'm a migrant worker, and.... I have an existing visa, and its still valid, and my work permit is still valid (woohoo! lucky you!) - Existing Visa holders with (Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion) will be able to travel on their current visa, from the 28th September (if the Visa is still valid). I'm a migrant worker, and.... My Visa expired after the 28th March 2020, but my Work Permit is still valid - If your visa expired after the 28th March 2020, you can apply for a new Visa - no PU invitation is required. I'm a Student or Tourist - Students, and Tourists are currently not allowed back, the 28th September announcement mainly focuses on returning Workers. I'm a spouse or family who wants to visit someone working or living in China (S1 or S2 visa) - You will likely need a PU invitation letter for a successful application (TBC). I'm something else, or don't fit into one of the above - Check with the Embassy. I need to apply for a Visa See below:
The Application Form is available at the link below, or via the pages on the relevant city (JHB / DBN /CPT) pages on the bio.visaforchina.org site Step 2 - Obtain a medical certificate from an approved testing center showing a result of Certificates of Negative Nucleic Acid + IgM Anti-Body Blood Tests Results, and get the CG to issue a confirmation (needs to be done 48 hours prior to boarding). See the Health Declaration Form page for more detail. Step 3 - Fly (Only feasible route currently is now Air China from JHB -> SZ) For more detail on the whole process, visit the next page - How do I get back to Mainland China.
Change log
3 / Dec / 2020 - Added some notes on Visa difficulties, and only 1 flight available from SA to China (JHB -> Beijing via SZ). Added https://flights.cloudify.hk link.
25 / Nov / 2020 - Added Who Can Get a Visa? Page listing what applications can be submitted at CVASC.
11 / Nov / 2020 - Updated list of IGM test facilities to add Ampath on Health Declaration Page.
10 / Nov / 2020 - Added note about new QR requirements for Covid tests to be implemented from Nov 18 2020 on Health Declaration Page.
04 / Nov / 2020 - Cleaned up Health Declaration Form page and added test centre(s) offering both tests.
01 / Nov / 2020 - Added note about PathCare being the only provider currently offering both tests in South Africa.
31 / Oct / 2020 - Added note about upcoming rules on testing including transit test. Added note about updated test requirements and timing.
Amended 72 hr timeframe to 48hr as per newer rules.
14 / Oct / 2020 - Added note about South Africa's lockdown being extended to 15th Nov 2020.
14 / Oct / 2020 - Added an answer to one of lifes perpetual questions - what does PU or TE stand for?
14 / Oct / 2020 - Added Current Visa Requirements Page.
14 / Oct / 2020 - Cleared out a lot of cruft throughout site.
14 / Oct / 2020 - Added note about Authentication services (finally!) becoming available from 22nd Oct at JHB Consulate.
24 / Sep / 2020 - Lots of fiddling about to make all the fussy nice people happy.
24 / Sep / 2020 - Added unconfirmed clarification on "other requirements" on Home Page. Updated most pages to remove now outdated info.
24 / Sep / 2020 - Added Ariel's PDF on arrival and quarantine.
23 / Sep / 2020 - Added 28th Sept announcement.
17 / Sep / 2020 - Some minor edits to FAQ and other pages to keep them up to date with latest available info.
16 / Sep / 2020 - Added latest info regarding Normal International flights resume from 1st October.
14 / Sep / 2020 - Added latest info from CVASC to Home Page, How do I get back to Mainland China page.
13 / Sep / 2020 - Added note about lockdown extended to 15th October on Home Page.
11 / Sep / 2020 - Added How to Apply for a PU pdf to the PU Application Process Page.
05 / Sep / 2020 - Added DIRCO contact details on Police Clearance and Authentication page
03 / Sep / 2020 - Removed Zama from Police Clearance page due to negative feedback in SA-CN group.
02 / Sep / 2020 - Added email contacts for health form on Health Declaration Page
30 / Aug / 2020 - Updated Covid test reqs to 3 days (from 5).
19 / Aug / 2020 - Added Note on Homepage regarding non processing of Visa's other than for Class A workers (Senior level Staff/Top level executives), and How do I get back to Mainland China page. Added embassy healthcode notice link to Health Declaration Form Page.
18 / Aug / 2020 - Added note on Homepage regarding difficulties with PU - need to state clearly work as a return reason. Added note about Ethiopian Airlines repatriation flights not being accepted by Consulate due to overbookings.
16 / Aug / 2020 - Added JHB Consulate email addresses on Homepage. Added Police Authentication Page.
15 / Aug / 2020 - Added notes on homepage about lockdown extension through to 15th September 2020, and Lockdown Level 2 from Tuesday 18th.
14 / Aug / 2020 - Updated a number of pages with further information on flights, PU application requirements and other info. Added note about Health Declaration Form becoming a requirement from 1st September.
13 / Aug / 2020 - Added repatriation flight links from US Embassy site on How do I get back to China page
12 / Aug / 2020 - Added instructions on Health Declaration Form to Health Declaration page. Added note about PU requirement still neccessary for application in South Africa on Home Page.
11 / Aug / 2020 - Clarified list of Approved Testing Centers in Health Declaration Form page.
10 / Aug / 2020 - Confirmed (again) that Visa's are being issued on Home Page.
05 / Aug / 2020 - Added more details on Visa with PU letter application on Home Page.
03 / Aug / 2020 - Added fast track PU application details for teachers in Shanghai.
02 / Aug / 2020 - Added details on 90 day validity of PU invitation letter to PU page.
01 / Aug / 2020 - Added some further detail on Visa application in How do I get back to Mainland China page, as certain Wechat groups are a little vitriolic about it. FAQ page also updated to note that teachers are being issued PU invites.
01 / Aug / 2020 - Added City specific links for the bio.VisaforChina.org site.
28 / July / 2020 - Added Shanghai District FAO details (in FAO Page)
27 / July / 2020 - Added information about officially approved test laboratories
23 / July / 2020 - Added information about the new 7/7 quarantine option
22 / July / 2020 - Added details on the Health Declaration document, updated FAQ with new requirements, added detail about 1st August Visa Application Service Center opening up.
21 / July / 2020 - Added detail on Health Code Pre-Registration, FAQ pages
20 / July / 2020 - Added Foreign Affairs Office Contact Details
17 / July / 2020 - Updated details on How do I get back to Mainland China
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