Coronavirus - those in China, and general discussion

[mungouk]

@Saxondale does your crystal ball say anything about direct flights from Manchester?

 

I've been searching on https://www.routesonline.com/ but I'm not sure where exactly to look.

[Saxondale]

40 minutes ago, mungouk said:

@Saxondale does your crystal ball say anything about direct flights from Manchester?

 

No idea about direct flights, but you can book with Etihad from Manchester to Shanghai via Abu Dhabi in September. Prices are slightly better than BA.

[mungouk]

On 7/28/2020 at 7:36 PM, mungouk said:

I was at the VAC today — just to legalise one document

 

For what it's worth I collected the legalised document a week later. 

 

The legalisation sticker from the consulate is actually dated 28 July, the same day I submitted it, so it doesn't look like Manchester has a backlog at all, at least for legalisations.  Whether this will be the case with visas remains to be seen.

 

[mungouk]

On 8/2/2020 at 2:14 PM, Saxondale said:

It's quite likely Virgin will have a second route to Shanghai in September

 

Given the recent news about Virgin Atlantic, I think I'll be holding off booking anything with them for now.

 

Virgin Atlantic files for bankruptcy as Covid continues to hurt airlines

[mungouk]

The IATA travel advisory for China has been updated today.

 

The main (only?) change I can see from the previous version is that the mention of COVID-19 RNA test certificates (clause 6) has been replaced by new clauses 6, 7, 8 which state that negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test results are now required from arrivals from:

• Bangladesh, Chad, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia 
• Luxembourg, Thailand (from 10 August)
• Kenya, Turkey (from 11 August)

Full text:

 

Quote

 

Published 05.08.2020

1. The mainland of China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into the mainland of China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits still valid to the time of this announcement, effective from 00:00 local time, 28 March 2020. Entry by foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards will be suspended as well.

 

- Policies including port visas, 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, Hainan 30-day visa-free policy, 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai Port, Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong or Macao SAR, and Guangxi 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries will also be temporarily suspended. Entry with diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas will not be affected.

- Foreign nationals coming to the mainland of China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates.

- Entry by foreign nationals with visas issued after 28 March 2020 will not be affected.

 

2. Passengers arriving at Beijing (PEK), Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen (SZX) or Xiamen (XMN) are subject to medical screening and quarantine for 14 days.

 

3. Airline crew of foreign airlines:

- are not required to undergo nucleic acid test if they have a short stay after landing then depart immediately, and do not leave apron during the transition; OR

- shall receive nucleic acid test in the first port of entry if they need to enter the country to rest or continue to operate domestic routes. The test results will be confirmed by the local government in accordance with the requirements of epidemic prevention management. Only if the test results are negative, crews can continue the operations; OR

- are allowed to return to their home country for isolation treatment when agreed by the local joint control mechanism, if they are symptomatic, in close contact with infected persons or tested positive. Airlines and crews shall make all commitments to bear their responsibilities and also carry out strict protections.

 

4. A completed “Health Declaration Form" must be presented upon arrival. The form can be obtained before departure at http://health.customsapp.com/ .

 

5. Nationals of China (People's Rep.) arriving from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Ireland (Rep.), Israel, Italy, Korea (Rep.), Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Russian Fed., Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and USA must declare their health status for 14 days in the Wechat mimi program "FANG YI JIAN KANG MA GUO JI BAN". A green QR code generated from the program must be presented before departure.

 

6. Passengers arriving from Bangladesh, Chad, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Russian Fed. or Saudi Arabia must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) nucleic acid test result issued at most 5 days before departure.

 

7. Effective 10 August 2020, passengers arriving from Luxembourg or Thailand must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) nucleic acid test result issued at most 5 days before departure.

 

8. Effective 11 August 2020, passengers arriving from Kenya or Turkey must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) nucleic acid test result issued at most 5 days before departure.

 

 

 

 

 

[Saxondale]

5 hours ago, mungouk said:

Given the recent news about Virgin Atlantic, I think I'll be holding off booking anything with them for now.

 

If you're in a hurry to go back and have the money i would recommend getting yourself onto one of the BA flights...although they might be striking soon...

 

The Embassy and Consulates now seem to be validating covid tests despite it not actually being a requirement yet - 24 hour turnaround too. Airlines aren't checking but better get it done just in case! I'll be going for my covid test next Sunday.

 

 

[mungouk]

I just stumbled across this list, compiled by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, which compiles details on travel/quarantine policies of various cities/regions. It includes both domestic and international policies for inbound and outbound.

 

Probably most useful for those already in China and wanting to travel.

 

https://www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/national-news/3188/travel_policies_to_and_from_cities_in_china

 

Last updated 6 August.

 

 

Quote

 

In order to help companies and individuals plan their travels to and from different cities/region in China, the European Chamber has compiled the below list, which includes the quarantine policies of

• Beijing (updated on 21st July);
• Chongqing (updated on 29th July);
• Chengdu (updated on 29th July);
• Guangzhou (updated on 29th July);
• Nanjing (updated on 29th July);
• Shandong (updated on 29th July);
• Shanghai (updated on 23rd July);
• Shenyang (updated on 29th July);
• Shenzhen (updated on 6th August);
• Tianjin (updated on 29th July); and
• Other regions: Daqing (updated on 16th June), Ha'erbin (updated on 16th June).

Click on the links above for further details on that city.
 

[ continued ... ]

 

 

[mungouk]

Bloomberg reports that travel agents are resorting to bribing airlines to release tickets that they can sell to desperate passengers.

 

How Travelers Are Beating Tough Flight Restrictions in Covid Era

[mungouk]

On 8/5/2020 at 5:45 PM, mungouk said:

The IATA travel advisory for China has been updated today [5 August].

 

Updated again 7 August, adding this condition to item 1:

 

Quote

 

- Entry by foreign nationals with residence permit issued outside the Mainland of China after 28 March 2020 are not affected.

 

 

So some residence permits are being issued outside of the mainland? 

[pan.kasper]

A little update from me: 
So i went to the Chinese embassy in Seoul following the news that Korean students and workers will be allowed to return to China in August (as the first country in the world). Unfortunately for me, the rule applies only to Korean people. Foreigners who have been in South Korea, no matter for how long, will still need a special permit from the Beijijng government, which is pretty much impossible to obtain. Guess it's just politics, having spent my last 6 months in Seoul, the odds of me having the virus are exactly the same as of any given Korean student who, unlike me and others like me, is now allowed to come back. A little disappointing, but that's the way it is. I'll be going back to Europe soon, hoping the things will be normal soon enough

[xinoxanu]

2 hours ago, pan.kasper said:

I'll be going back to Europe soon, hoping the things will be normal soon enough

 

Sorry to hear that. I seem to recall you were doing a master's in China - have you been given options on graduation, deferral, etc?

[arreke]

Visa Facilitation for Some Foreign Nationals with Valid Chinese Residence Permits

 

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/cedk/eng/cs/t1805331.htm

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/cedk/chn/lsfw/t1805270.htm

 

List of applicable countries:

Albania, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, Bulgaria,North Macedonia, Belgium, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, the Netherlands, Montenegro,Czech Republic, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, United Kingdom

[pan.kasper]

16 hours ago, xinoxanu said:

Sorry to hear that. I seem to recall you were doing a master's in China - have you been given options on graduation, deferral, etc?

good memory  yes, will be doing my final year now, classes are all online, so is the thesis defence so it technically doesn't matter where I am, but I still would much prefer to be in China.

 

3 hours ago, arreke said:

Visa Facilitation for Some Foreign Nationals with Valid Chinese Residence Permits

 

saw that today, there is some hope I won't have to stay in my country for too long 

[Brian US]

Wow boy, a crazy year for me. Living and working in Hefei, Anhui, I had co-workers talking about the outbreak in neighboring Wuhan, which I didn't think of much going back to the US for Chinese New year.

 

I was interviewing for a new job in the US while this all went down in January, and I was flying back early February after the New Year to finish my two weeks and clear out my apartment. I kept reassuring everyone in the US that there is no way they would close down the Wuhan area since the population size was like closing down the Midwest in the US (I was very, very wrong). They then started canceling flights to China from the US, and I realized I would be able to make it back to Hefei but it would be difficult getting a return flight to the US.

 

Luckily I brought back 90% of my valuables since I was planning to move back to the US, and I had about $500 worth of belongings in my apartment (electric scooter, bike, etc.).  I ended up canceling my flight back to China, and my landlord was great in that I told him he could keep everything in the apartment of value and the deposit for me ending the lease early and not cleaning it out. He even let me only pay the month of February even though I owed him a couple more months as part of the lease.

 

Flash forward to today where I have a new office job in Chicago (unfortunately not related to China). I only went into work for 4 days in March before being told to work remotely since. Wild ride living in Hefei for a year and a half with a prior stint in Beijing from 2009 to 2014. I don't know the next time I'll visit China (if Americans are allowed with our outbreak), but I'll get my fix with food in Chicago's Chinatown and reflecting on this year like everyone else.

[mungouk]

On 8/11/2020 at 7:10 AM, arreke said:

Visa Facilitation for Some Foreign Nationals with Valid Chinese Residence Permits

 

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/cedk/eng/cs/t1805331.htm

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/cedk/chn/lsfw/t1805270.htm

 

 

SmartShanghai has been doing a bit of research into this announcement, talking to embassies and visa agents, and it seems there's a fair bit of confusion out there, and inconsistent application of policy... 

 

EU Visa Situation: Here Is What's Really Going On (12 August)

 

Quote

 

Some European citizens, holding valid residence permits, might be able to apply at some embassies in Europe for a new visa to re-enter China, free of charge.

[...]

But, and we cannot stress this enough, there is no consistent policy at the time of writing.

 

 

In particular, if you're a citizen of one the European countries listed, then you have to be located in that country to apply for a new visa according to these new rules.  (Outside of Europe the rules for the country you're in will continue to apply.)

 

Quote

 

So What's The Take-Away From All This?
 

The visa restrictions have loosened for European citizens, ever so slightly. Oh, right, and applications are free. That's a good sign, and good news for Europeans who still have valid residence permits and are trying to get back into the country. But when it comes to official Chinese policy, the only information that matters is what the person behind the counter in front of you has in hand. If you want to get back into China, Check. With. Your. Local. Chinese. Embassy.

 

 

Lots more details and Q&A in the WeChat article, including whether or not the "PU letter" (invitation letter) requirement is waived for certain people.

 

[xinoxanu]

Got a mail in from my Consulate in Beijing.

 

According to embassy policies, if you have a Residence Permit that is related to Work, Family and Personal Interests (? - guessing more related to prospective business than anything else) then you can apply for re-entry without much difficulty. 

 

Nothing on students yet, but that might be coming soon or on time for the new semester.

[Saxondale]

I think it'll take a few weeks until all Chinese Embassies/Consulates are all on the same page. 

[Saxondale]

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceuk/chn/lsfw/lsxz/t1806019.htm - so it looks like you'll need a certified covid test from 21/08 onwards if you're flying from the UK.

[mungouk]

On 8/12/2020 at 12:08 PM, xinoxanu said:

Nothing on students yet, but that might be coming soon or on time for the new semester.

 

TheBeijinger has a rather thin but optimistic report today on an announcement from BLCU to returning students:

 

 

Quote

 

Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) has also released a statement that seems to be laying the groundwork for students abroad to start coming back ahead of the Fall 2020 semester. According to the notice, “students at home and abroad applying for returning to school have to contact the advisors of their college in advance and inform the health of them and their families living together, whether there are symptoms of COVID-19 epidemic…Students can return back to school if there are no such symptoms.” 

 

While the language is a bit vague and doesn’t elaborate on whether or not students from any and all countries will be permitted entry – BLCU couldn’t be reached for comment or further clarification – it’s doubtlessly a step in the right direction. And coupled with the recent news that international school teachers will be allowed to return to the country on a rolling basis, and that all grade levels now have an official start date for the fall semester, it seems as though it's only a matter of time before those who have been stuck outside China’s borders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will finally be able to return home.

 

 

 

EDIT: In BLCU's case the start of the next semester is 31 August, less than 3 weeks away, so they're cutting this very fine to say the least... but then again everything COVID-related does seem contingent and constantly changing right now.

 

[mungouk]

The IATA travel database information is being updated every couple of days at the moment, mostly listing departure/transit countries that will require negative COVID tests before flying to China.

 

Also, here's updated guidance on visa applications for UK and "35 European countries" (listed at the bottom), from the UK Chinese embassy, 15 August 2020:

Quote

 

Notice on Updated Requirements for Chinese Visa Application

2020/08/15

To facilitate gradually resuming personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the U.K. are ready to accept visa applications through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh as of Aug 18th 2020 from applicants who intend to travel to China for any of the following purposes.   1. British citizen and applicant from any of the 35 other European countries who is holding a valid Foreigner's Residence Permit of China for work, private matters or family reunion, and needs to go to China for the same visiting purpose as shown on the Residence Permit;   2. Applicant (including accompanying spouse and children under the age of 18) who does not hold a valid Foreigner's Residence Permit of China for work, private matters or family reunion, but has an "Invitation Letter (PU/TE)" or "Verification Confirmation of Invitation" issued by the Foreign Affairs Office of the provincial government or the provincial department of commerce of the intended place of visit to visit China for economic, trade, scientific, technological, culture or sport purposes;   3. Applicant (including accompanying spouse and children under the age of 18) who does not hold a valid Foreigner's Residence Permit of China for work, private matters or family reunion, but has obtained "Notification Letter of Foreigners Work Permit" as well as "Invitation Letter (PU/TE)" or "Verification Confirmation of Invitation" to work in China;   4. Applicant who intends to visit China for the following humanitarian reasons: A. Applicant intending to visit an immediate family member in China (including parents, spouse, children, grandparents, grandchildren) who is in critical medical condition and in need of care, or arrange funeral matters of an immediate family member in China; Photocopies of a medical certificate or death certificate, proof of relationships (including birth certificate, marriage certificate, Chinese household registration, certificate letters from the local police bureau in China, notarial certificate of kinship, etc.), and an invitation letter from relatives in China are required. B. Applicant who is spouse or child under the age of 18 of a Chinese citizen or who holds a valid Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, and intends to visit China for family reunion; An invitation letter and photocopies of the Chinese Identity Card or the Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, and proof of relationships are required. C. Applicant (including accompanying spouse and children under the age of 18) intending to visit China to take care of or support his/her Chinese parents; An invitation letter from the Chinese parent and photocopies of his/her Chinese Identity Card, and proof of relationships are required.   5. Applicant who qualifies for a crew (C) visa. Applicants are required to fill in the online application form and make an appointment with the nearest Chinese Visa Application Centre before submitting applications in person on the date of appointment. Minor children under the age of 14 are not required to go to the Visa Centre for biometric information collection.   Visa applications for other visiting purposes which are not included above can not be accepted at the moment.   Please be advised that the above are temporary arrangements and subject to further change. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

 

 

 

 

 

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35 other European countries

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands