How do I get back to Mainland China?
In Short - Get a visa issued from the CVASC, find a flight.
Visa Application
The Chinese Visa Application Service Center will accept applications for Z, S1, S2, M, F, and Humanitarian Visa's. Other Visa types are not being processed currently - China is concentrating on ensuring workers can return. With that in mind take a look at the options below and see what fits - I'm a migrant worker, and.... I'm a new applicant, or my work permit expired, or I'm changing jobs - New applicants, those changing jobs, or applicants who's visa expired prior to the 28th March 2020 will need a PU invitation letter for a successful application, as well as 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 (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, and 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. That said, they aren't issuing visa's to anyone except for CEO level management, so good lucky if you aren't management material!. 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). Some other really convoluted permutation of the above - Honestly, I'm not an oracle <grin>, if you don't fit neatly into one of the above categories, best to ask the Embassy or CVASC directly. 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. You will need a PU letter (for a new application), an E-Ticket for a flight, and online application via the China Visa Application Center. Typical Requirements for submission (based on other countries reqs):
o Visa application form (available on the website)
o One picture per exact requirements on visa form
o Passport
o Completion of health forms about Covid (available here).
o PU Invite Letter
o Covid test results must be made by one of the approved agencies from the Chinese consulate in your area, and supplied to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate who will then issue a declaration of health status with a negative nucleic acid test certificate. (See the Health Declaration Form page)
Once the visa is obtained, negative test results from an approved testing center, and certified by the Embassy / Consulate is obtained, then you can in fly.
Flights
Overview: With a valid visa issued, you can schedule a flight to China you will need a Certificates of Negative Nucleic Acid and a IgM Anti-Body Blood Test. Both tests need to be taken within 48 hours of your boarding date from a testing facility approved by the Embassy. Testing can only be done at pre-approved test centres (Lancet, Ampath, Toga, Pathcare). See the Health Declaration Form page for more details. You will also need to email the Consulate for your region with both negative test results to receive a Health Declaration Form. They typically respond to mails within 24hrs (including weekends). You will also need to register for Health Code Pre-Registration (see this page)
Arrival
After getting off the plane at Pudong airport, health personnel will check everyone's digital health form (filled out prior to take off).
They will then proceed with a temperature check, paper work for swab test, re-check your health form again, and copy IDs
Airport health officials will give you your swab test tube, and you proceed to testing area in airport. Either a nose or throat test is taken currently.
Going through immigration will take approximately 1.5-2hrs
Pick up luggage and go to your residential district counter, scan another QR code for forms, do another temperature check. At this point at your district's desk they will take away your travel documents, and you wait for the bus to take you to your assigned quarantine hotel. You may need to wait a few hours on the bus; this is dependant on how many arrivals there are.
Notes from someones recent trip:
21:48 plane landed 22:15 business-class could leave 22:40 registration & swab test 22:50 passport control 23:00 collected my lugguage 23:10 registration for district hotel & start waiting for bus 01:30 Going down to bus & leaving PVG to Jingan 02:20 Arrive in Jingan Shanghai Hotel + registration & briefing by nurse; signing documents & make payment for 14 days 02:45 entered my hotel room Example Airport quarantine form below:
Quarantine
All returnee’s will be subject to a mandatory 14 day quarantine. Those who enter Shanghai and have residence that meets home quarantine standards may do 7 days of centralized quarantine + 7 days home quarantine. A second test will be done on the 5th day of hotel quarantine. Link in Chinese here - https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/6HoONvL5wzeDK9FK9ZpHQw
English -
Most people will need to go to a hotel for quarantine at their own expense. Exceptions to this are if you are travelling with children, are over 65, are disabled, or are pregnant you can apply for home quarantine. If this does not apply to you, you will need to go into a hotel quarantine.
Couples travelling together will be separated into distinct hotel rooms. 1 room per person. Typically, you cannot quarantine together, and will be separated for the quarantine period. If you have a small child or children and opt for Hotel quarantine, your child or children will quarantine with a parent, or both parents (your choice). Near the end of your quarantine, it is mandatory for everyone to do a final covid test. The cost is 120rmb per person, and you will be issued a report for your test results. You will need to prepare money or Wechat funds for hotel costs x 14 days (200 - 400 x 14) + covid test fee's (120) each (Between R3000-R5000 per person). Hotel fee's will need to be paid upfront on arrival at the hotel. What happens if I test positive on arrival? You will be sent to a fever clinic immediately to do further testing, which may include blood tests or x-ray scans. You will stay there for several days (most commonly 3 days), if you are continuously tested negative for those 3 days then you go to hotel quarantine. If you are tested positive still, then you get admitted to a COVID specific treatment hospital. What happens if my child has to be admitted to hospital for treatment after being tested positive? In Shanghai, adult and children treatment hospitals are separate. Children, no matter the age, will be separated from their parent for independent treatment at Fudan hospital. They will receive excellent care and will be attended to 24hrs, however visitations are strictly not allowed under any circumstances. You will only be able to collect your child once they are fully recovered, tested negative, and discharged from the hospital.
Shanghai Residents:
Hotel pricing varies between district in Shanghai, for an average of between RMB200-400 a night. I have a list of hotels and costs available here - Hotel List
As food quality is variable, and not all hotels allow delivery to reception, I suggest packing some drinks, snacks and chocolates, and sufficient toiletries to tide you over the 14 days of quarantine! Example of a quarantine meal below;
Further detail on the arrival and quarantine process can be found on the PDF on the next page.
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