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China is currently not open for tourists, with only citizens and foreign nationals with valid residence permits being allowed to enter.

ALl arrivals into China must complete a three-week quarantine after arrival and submit to a wide variety of COVID-19 tests.

Any travellers, and their household members, arriving from countries where new coronavirus strains have been discovered must take four nucleic acids (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR) tests. 

The Chinese authorities have placed restrictive measures on the residents of Shanghai, such as fitting electronic door alarms to prevent infected people from leaving their homes and evacuating people to sanitize their homes.

Anyone in Shanghai who is found to be infected with COVID has to go to a central government-run facility.

When are the Chinese authorities likely to reopen the country for tourism?

The Chinese authorities have a five-year plan for civil aviation development, with international flights gradually restarting between 2023 and 2025. 

The plan is aimed to be divided into two phases due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 will be a year of strengthening coronavirus prevention and control measures in the country and establishing a more detailed support measure to help bolster recovery. 

This will lead to phase two of the plan between 2023 and 2025, where the aim will be to improve the level of opening up throughout the country, enhance the local market, and restore the international market. 

What are the restrictions on arrival to China?

All visitors to China must:

  • Have a valid Visa or residence permit
  • Proof of a negative PCR test, taken no more than 48 hours before departure
  • Undertake a 14-day quarantine (at least 14 days, could be up to 21)
  • Undergo COVID testing on arrival and must consent to blood tests to be released from quarantine

Passengers on plans from other countries that are not allowed entry into China are not allowed to treat Chinas as a “just passing through” country either – even when they are in an airport.

How do I get a visa to travel to China?

If you want to travel to China, you need to apply for a visa (or official permit) and have a compelling reason for visiting.

If you travel to China without a visa, you may be refused access, arrested or even deported.

To apply for a visa for China, you need to contact the Chinese Embassy in your native country. 

What is the current mask requirement in China?

Health authorities in Beijing, the Chinese capital, have been lifting the requirement for people to wear masks outdoors, as the city reported several days of no new cases of COVID on the trot.

However, this may change with no prior notice. 

Who is affected by China’s latest travel ban?

Anyone who is not a Chinese national will be affected by China’s latest travel ban. 

However, foreign nationals who want to visit China for emergency reasons can still apply for special entry visas. 

Further Reading

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