China is one of the most-visited countries in the world for tourism.
It has been three years since the Coronavirus was first detected in December 2019, and China is now slowly easing requirements for travel within and to the country.
However, it has yet to be fully open for tourism. For now, only foreign nationals holding the following permits or visas are allowed to enter China:
- Residence visa (D)
- Work visa (Z)
- Student visa (X)
- Family/personal visit visa (Q)
- Diplomatic and service visa
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business cards
Chinese tour companies are confident tourism will resume in 2023.
Is China Accepting Visas From Business Owners?
China is currently processing the following visas:
- Business visa (M)
- Work visa (Z)
- Highly qualified person visa (R)
- Students visa for students with a study period of more than 180 days (X1)
- Family/personal visit visa (Q)
- Relatives of foreigners visa (S)
So yes, business owners can travel to China if they have a business visa, and they can apply for one if they intend to visit the country for trade and commercial activities.
Business visas to China are usually valid for three months. U.S. citizens can be granted a multiple-entry visa that spans ten years. Requirements include a letter of invitation, a business cover letter, and a PU letter.
The easiest route is through APEC cards, which are granted to APEC member businessmen.
Entry Requirements in China
Vaccinated and unvaccinated people are allowed entry to China as long as they can provide a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure.
Travelers must apply for a health code online via https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/. A negative nucleic acid test result is needed for this application. While a copy is uploaded onto the system, one must keep a hard copy for possible inspection upon arrival in China. The health code or health declaration certificate will serve as the traveler’s e-passport.
Health code applicants must supply their personal information, travel history, residence, and medical records. Once all details are submitted, a QR code will be generated showing an individual’s risk level based on the places they visited and their medical history.
Travelers may use WeChat or Alipay to receive the health code.
Rules You Need to Follow While Traveling in China
Upon arriving in China, travelers must quarantine for eight days, whether vaccinated or not. There will be a five-day centralized quarantine and three-day home quarantine, all at the expense of the traveler. If the traveler does not have a residence in China, they must quarantine at a government-approved hotel.
Travelers must complete the centralized quarantine in their city of entry. After the mandated quarantine period and negative tests, they can proceed to their destination city, where they can complete home quarantine. While there is no need for another centralized quarantine, community health monitoring may be required, which means travelers can complete essential errands but cannot socialize with groups.
Health codes and negative nucleic acid test results are no longer required when traveling domestically in China. You will not be subjected to landing tests either.
How to Travel Safely in China
China is known as the world’s factory because of the affordable products that come out of our manufacturing plants. These China-made products are cheap because of low labor costs and competitive currency practices.
It’s no surprise that thousands of businessmen visit China to partner with enterprises and pursue connections that will boost their bottom line.
But how does one travel safely to China? Just like in any other country, travelers must follow the country’s protocols.
China recently started to loosen COVID restrictions as Chinese President Xi Jinping, and his advisers plan the country’s economic recovery. As a result, infections are rising again and are expected to surge some more in the following weeks.
Top officials are now advocating for self-care after lifting the previous restrictive policy. The WHO recommendations still stand: Wear masks in crowded areas, keep a safe distance from other people, wash hands frequently, and avoid poorly ventilated spaces.
In Beijing, the lockdown may have been lifted, but it still feels in place as streets look deserted because of another COVID outbreak, just a week after the easing of the strict policy. While legally allowed to be open, some centers chose to shut their doors to disinfect.
Julian Evans-Pritchard, a senior China economist for Capital Economics, told Reuters it may take three to six more months before business in China will return to “something resembling normality.”
Visiting China For Business?
Are you visiting China for business? You can apply for a new visa or use the one you already have. Travel requirements constantly change, so look up new updates before booking your flight.
For your business interests, consider partnering with Hottinbox. We are a tin box supplier in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province. We’ve been manufacturing customizable tin boxes since 2000.
You can order lunch boxes, pill boxes, and attractive tin boxes to package various products like cookies, chocolates, hair wax, healthcare kit, and everything in between. Check out all of our products here.
For more information, contact us, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
