china travel requirements from india

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• Home > Media Center > What`s New > Advisory : For Indian Nationals traveling to China

Advisory : For Indian Nationals traveling to China

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India (MOHFW), has issued several travel advisories with reference to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. As per these advisories, Indian nationals are strongly advised to refrain from traveling to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany. 

2. In view of recent announcements by Chinese authorities in connection with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, all Indian nationals who are required to travel to China for compelling reasons may also wish to take note the following information:

Depending on the airport of arrival, incoming travelers may be expected to fulfill additional documentary requirements as mandated by the local authorities.

Chinese authorities have made it mandatory for all travelers arriving in China to submit health cards upon arrival. (The health cards are distributed on board and/or are available at the airport of arrival)

Several airports in China, including Beijing and Guangzhou, have introduced new procedures for incoming travelers from overseas, including medical screening on arrival. The procedures may take place at the airport terminal itself or in designated screening centres, and takes around 9 hours on average to complete. 

Incoming travelers from overseas may be asked to be quarantined in Chinese Government-designated locations/ self-quarantine at home based on their health conditions, country of origin and travel history. 

In the case of  Beijing , all incoming travelers from overseas, including Indian nationals, have to mandatorily undergo 14 days quarantine at a Chinese Government-designated location at their own expense.

On rigorous assessment and screening, people aged 70 and above, minors aged 14 and  pregnant women and those with underlying conditions who are assessed as not suitable for quarantine at designated places may be allowed to stay at home for observation. These are the only exemptions from 14 days quarantine at a Chinese Government-designated location for overseas travelers entering Beijing.

Those who meet the criteria for home observation should apply for such observation to their residential communities prior to entering China. Those who fail to submit the application in advance or whose applications have not been approved will be sent to designated places for quarantine.

Travelers required to undergo quarantine at Chinese Government-designated locations are personally responsible for the costs incurred towards their quarantine. The exact cost is not known but could be around 200-500 RMB/ day.

Some international flights to Beijing are being diverted to other cities of China such as Tianjin, Hohhot and Taiyuan. 

Given the rapidly evolving nature of the situation, requirements of the local authorities could change at short notice. 

3. Indian nationals who are required to travel to China are further informed that the hotlines of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi, the Embassy of India in Beijing and the Consulate Generals of India in Guangzhou and Shanghai may be called in case of any query. Those wishing to get in touch with us may do so at:

MEA, New Delhi:  1800118797/ +91-11-23012113/ +91-11-23014104/ +91-11- 23017905; Email:  [email protected]  

Embassy of India, Beijing:  +86-18612083629/ +86-18610952903;

Email:  [email protected]  

Consulate General of India, Guangzhou:  +86-20-85501509 / +86- 18588885692; Email:  [email protected]

Consulate General of India, Shanghai:  +86-21-62758886 / +86- 18930314575;  Email:  [email protected]  

4. The above is being issued in public interest so that Indian travelers are aware of the restrictions which are in force at present on arrival in China.

Address : Embassy of India, Beijing

Telephone : +86-10-8531 2500/2501/2502/2503

Fax : +86-10-8531 2515

Email: [email protected] & [email protected]

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Can I travel to China from India?

Most visitors from India, regardless of vaccination status, can enter China.

Can I travel to China if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from India can enter China without restrictions.

Can I travel to China without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from India can enter China without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter China?

Visitors from India are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering China.

Can I travel to China without quarantine?

Travellers from India are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in China?

Mask usage in China is recommended on public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in China?

Restaurants in China are open. Bars in China are .

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China Entry and Exit Requirements and Procedures 2024

Until November 30th, 2024 , ordinary passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malaysia can enjoy a 15-day visa-free entry to China.  

You can start planning your trip to China now! We will provide you with a flexible, tailor-made private tour of China . 

China has opened its borders to tourists from March 15, 2023. If you are planning to visit China, it's important to understand the entry and exit requirements and procedures that apply to international travelers.

Now, inbound and outbound travelers no longer need to complete the China Health Declaration Form and don't need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result, either.

China Entry Requirements

To enter China, you must have a valid passport and a China visa unless you are eligible for a visa-free entry or a visa-on-arrival.

Note: Though you are not required to complete the China Health Declaration Card and provide the COVID-19 test result before entering China Mainland, you still need to inform the customs and cooperate for health checks if you have symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or if you've been diagnosed with a contagious disease.

Customs Procedures

China's custom channels are divided into two types: the red channel (also called the tax channel) and the green channel (also called a free channel).

Red Channel

Foreign travelers usually enter China through the red channel. They must declare first to customs after filling in the passenger baggage declaration form and can enter after the registration at customs.

The completed customs declaration form must be presented again when leaving China. The form must be filled in truthfully and accurately, and those who provide false information or fail to declare items will be subject to legal action by customs once identified.

The items exceeding the maximum limit listed in the document table should be processed according to other relevant provisions.

Green Channel

Foreign personnel who have been granted a diplomatic visa-passport or courtesy visa-passport by the Chinese authorities or granted free-of-examination courtesy can choose the green channel. But they have to show their credentials to the customs and the declaration document table filled according to the requirements.

Hygiene Quarantine Requirements for Entering China

Foreigners entering China must truthfully fill in health declaration forms as requested by border quarantine departments. Failure to report infectious diseases may result in punishment for evading quarantine and prevention from entering China upon identification. Those who have entered China without reporting an infectious disease may be ordered to leave in advance.

Infectious patients from affected areas must present a valid certificate of immunization-related diseases (commonly known as the "yellow book"). If they do not have a valid certificate, the Frontier Health and Quarantine infected organs will run a test for six days from the day they leave the infected environment.

Commodities from areas that may have been contaminated by infectious diseases or become media articles of epidemic diseases are subject to health and sanitation inspection and quarantine treatment.

People Forbidden from entering China

The following individuals are not allowed to enter China:

A. Those who have been deported from China are under the regulated age.

B. Those who are considered possible terrorists or may undertake violence and subversive activities after entering.

C. Those who are suspected of possible smuggling, drug trafficking, and prostitution activities.

D. Those who have mental illnesses or have leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, open tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.

E. Those who cannot afford what is needed in China.

F. Those who are considered to possibly engage in activities that endanger the security and interests of China after entering.

The frontier checkpoint has the right to prevent the following individuals from entering:

A. Those who have no valid passports, certificates, or visas.

B. Those who have forged, defaced, or other people's passports or certificates.

C. Those who refuse to be inspected.

D. Those who are forbidden to enter by the Ministry of Public Security and the National Security Ministry.

Exiting China

Foreign tourists must leave China within the allowed time limit of their visa from the allocated port. They must present effective passports or other effective certificates to the port border checkpoint.

People Forbidden to Leave China

A. Defendants in a criminal case or criminal suspects identified by the people's procuratorates, public security organs, or court.

B. Individuals are not allowed to leave the country due to unsettled civil cases according to the People's Court notice.

C. Others whose behaviors have violated China's laws and have been identified by competent authorities as needing pursuit.

The border authorities have the right to prevent the following individuals from leaving China:

A. Those who hold invalid certificates.

B. Those who have forged, defaced, or other people's passports or certificates.

C. Those who refuse to be inspected.

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（Update March, 2023）

As of March 15, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India will adopt the following new measures for Chinese visa application.

1. Application Procedures

1.1  Visa applications are processed in accordance with respective consular jurisdiction areas of Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in India. For applicants who reside in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh, and West Bengal, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata. For applicants who reside in Maharashtra or Karnataka, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Mumbai. For applicants who reside in areas other than those mentioned above, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Embassy in India.

1.2  For applicants residing in the consular jurisdiction area of Chinese Embassy in India, please submit visa application documents through Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi. First of all, please visit the website of Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi (https://bio.visaforchina.org/DEL2_EN/), fill out visa application form and confirmation page online，make an appointment, print out the confirmation page and full form, and sign name. Then at the appointment time, submit the application in person with materials (please see Part 2 for material requirements) at Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi and retain ten fingerprints.

1.3  The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection: those who are under the age of 14 or over the age of 70; those who already had fingerprints collected within the past five years at Chinese Embassy in India or Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi using the same passport; Applicants with all fingerprints uncollectable.

2. Material Requirements 

2.1 General Documents

(1) Chinese Visa Application Form and Confirmation Page of Online Visa Application.

(2) Original passport still valid for at least 6 months, with 2 or more blank visa pages, and the photocopy of relevant passport pages；and expired passports within 5 years and the photocopy of relevant passport pages.

(3) Two recently-taken color passport photos (full face, front view and bare head，size: 48mm×33mm，within 6 months).

(4) Original and photocopy of the proof of legal stay, residence, employment or study status or valid visa (applicable to applicants of non-Indian citizens)

2.2 Category Documents

In addition to the general documents in 2.1, the following supporting documents for respective visa categories must be submitted:

2.3 Relevant Reminder

(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but consular officers may require the applicant to submit the original invitation letter. The invitation letter should contain following information: information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.); information on the visit, such as purpose of visit, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, intended arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures; information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)

(2) Consular officers may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents, or require an interview with the applicant. Consular officers will decide on whether the visa should be issued and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

3. Cases Not Needing To Apply For A New Visa

(1) Foreign nationals who subject to mutual visa exemption agreements. 

(2) Valid permanent resident permit ID card.

(3) Valid residence permits.

(4) Holding valid APEC Business Travel Cards  (please note: To further facilitate business travel, APEC Virtual Cards holders will also be accepted for entry from 1 May 2023. As transitional arrangement, APEC Virtual Card holders who need to apply for a visa before 1 May 2023 will be facilitated by the Embassy, please contact the consular section of the Embassy for details).

(5) Transit Visa Exemption Program.

(6) Hainan visa-free policy; Visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai Port; Guangdong visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups entering from Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR; visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries entering Guilin, Guangxi province (For details, please contact the immigration inspection authorities of the intended destination).

 4. Submitting Channels for Visa Application

Please submit visa applications to Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi, or in Kolkata or in Mumbai, according to respective consular jurisdiction area. For details of visa process, requirements, time limit and fees, please contact relevant visa center or refer to their websites.

4.1 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In New Delhi

Address: Concourse Floor, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place, New Delhi -110001 India.

Tel：91-9999036735 (Weekdays 9:00 am - 14:00 pm, 15:00 pm - 17:00 pm).

E-mail：[email protected]

4.2 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In Kolkata

Address: BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, India.

Tel：91-9999036735 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), 91-033 40010210 (Tuesday,Thursday), Weekdays 9:00 am - 12:00 am, 13:00 pm - 16:00 pm.

E-mail：[email protected]

4.3 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In Mumbai

Address: 8th Floor, Mafatlal Center, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021.

Tel：91-22-22855271 (Weekdays 10:00 am - 13:00 am, 15:00 pm - 18:00 pm).

E-mail：[email protected]

5. Applications For Diplomatic And Service Passport Holders And Diplomatic, Service And Courtesy Visas

Please fill out the visa application form online (https://bio.visaforchina.org/DEL2_EN/) (no online appointment is required), print out the confirmation page and full form, sign name, and submit visa application with original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, a photocopy of the passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate, one color passport photo and an official note to the Consular Section of Chinese Embassy in India. Diplomatic and Service Passport holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visa applicants are exempted from fingerprint collection. For relevant questions, please directly contact the Consular Section of Chinese Embassy in India.

6. Consultation For Visa Application Within Consular Jurisdiction Area of Chinese Embassy In India

Address: Gate No. 4, Chinese Embassy, Nayaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021.

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel：91-11-24675259 (Weekdays 9:30 am-12:30 pm，15:30 pm-17:30 pm).

Fax：91-11-26111105.

7. Interpretation of Notice

This notice is interpreted by Chinese Embassy in India. In the event of any inconsistency between the previously released information and this notice, this notice shall prevail.

                                              Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India

                                                             14 March, 2023

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Covid rules simplified for Indians coming to China as country logs record cases

Applicable from monday, indian passengers “…travelling to china only need to take one nucleic acid (rt-pcr) test within 48 hours before boarding the flight to china, and apply for green health code with a negative certificate.

BEIJING: Pre-departure Covid-19 protocols for Indians planning to come to China have been simplified, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi announced late on Sunday, days after Beijing shortened quarantine requirements from 10 to eight days for inbound passengers.

The easing of rules was announced by Chinese embassies in several countries on Sunday as Beijing lifts some of its Covid-19 control measures on international travel while vowing to fight the outbreak in the country according to its controversial “zero-Covid” strategy through snap lockdowns and mass tests.

Applicable from Monday, Indian passengers “…travelling to China only need to take one nucleic acid (RT-PCR) test within 48 hours before boarding the flight to China, and apply for Green Health Code with a negative certificate,” the Chinese embassy announced.

“Passengers travelling to China can choose any place in India or in transit according to their itinerary, within 48 hours before boarding the flight to China, and apply for Green Health Code from the Embassy or Consulate where the test will be conducted,” it said, adding: “The airline will check passengers with a valid Green Health Code and will not check the place of issue”.

This means that for passengers flying from India to China but transiting through a third country there is no need to get a Covid-19 test done in the third or the transiting country: As long as the journey from India to China takes less than 48 hours, the negative Covid-19 test result from India will be valid.

This change in protocol is important because there is no direct flight between India and China at present.

Passengers will be required to show “Certificates of vaccination of Chinese-made vaccines or vaccines approved for use by WHO (World Health Organisation), if having been already vaccinated,” the statement added.

Importantly, there are no extra requirements for passengers who were Covid-19 positive earlier.

“No extra requirements for passengers with a history of Covid-19 infection, close contact, suspected symptoms, and PCR test results showing Presumptive Positive and Equivocal results,” the Chinese embassy statement said.

“All passengers can apply for Green Health Code with one Negative nucleic acid (RT-PCR) test result within 48 hours before departure,” it added.

The statement reminded prospective passengers that “Nucleic acid test reports submitted to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in India should be issued by labs authorised by ICMR, which should be machine-printed, not hand-written, and with a QR code”.

Similar procedures have been simplified in several other countries including Singapore, Serbia, the US, Australia, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Myanmar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Cambodia and so on.

China last week reduced the number of quarantine days for inbound travellers from 10 to eight days and scrapped a penalty for international airlines bringing in virus cases into the country as it eases some of its controversial Covid-19 control rules.

The new measures were announced on Friday, a day after President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) top decision-making body, the politburo standing committee (SC) during which the leaders vowed to “tenaciously” pursue “the dynamic zero-Covid policy” while minimising economic and social disruptions.

Record number of cases

The changes in international travel protocol comes in effect as Beijing and several other major cities in China reported record Covid-19 infections on Monday for Sunday, putting authorities under more pressure to quell outbreaks quickly while also trying to reduce the impact on people’s lives and on economic activity.

Overall,16,072 new locally transmitted cases were reported by the national health commission (NHC), up from 14,761 on Sunday and the highest in China since April 25, when the caseload was high as Shanghai was fighting its worst Covid-19 outbreak.

Capital Beijing reported 407 cases on Monday, compared with 235 the previous day; the southern city of Guangzhou, capital of economic powerhouse, Guangdong, logged 4,065 new cases, compared with 3,653 a day before.

“Beijing health authorities stated on Monday to further strengthen epidemic prevention and control measures and reminded residents not to go out unless necessary,” the state-run Global Times said in a report.

“Residents are reminded not to go out unless necessary, including not going to crowded places, and not going out for meals and to parties. People need to wear a mask properly, keep a safe distance and maintain good personal hygiene if going out,” the report added.

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China Travel Restrictions 2021/2022: An Explainer (Updated)

This article was originally posted on December 30, 2021, and last updated on December 16, 2022, to reflect the latest China travel restrictions.

From Zero-COVID to Living with COVID:  China has shifted from its zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 to dismantling the majority of its prevention measures in a matter of weeks. While these long-awaited changes are welcomed by many, they also pose new challenges and risks for businesses and the economy. Businesses in China must take the necessary steps now to mitigate the potential impact of labor shortages and supply chain strain that may come with a surge in cases. Read our article here  to see the latest updates to China’s COVID policy and how businesses can prepare in the coming months.

UPDATE (December 13, 2022): Hong Kong lifts all COVID-19 curbs on inbound travelers. At a press briefing on Tuesday, December 13, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced two new changes to the region’s COVID-19 prevention system that will effectively nullify the “0+3” self-isolation requirement for inbound travelers. The first adjustment is the scrapping of QR codes on the “Leave Home Safe” app before entering various premises. However, the government will maintain the vaccine pass, and proof of three inoculations with a COVID-19 vaccine will still be required to enter certain premises, such as restaurants. The second adjustment is the scrapping of the “amber code”, a code issued to all arrivals in Hong Kong that restricts people from entering public premises for a period of three days. Instead, everyone who tests negative for COVID-19 will be issued with a blue code in their vaccine pass which will give them free access to public places. The government had previously removed the requirement for travelers to take a PCR test upon arrival, and from Tuesday, December 13 onward only need to take a rapid antigen test (RAT). The new adjustments to the QR and amber codes will be effective from Wednesday, December 14 onwards.

UPDATE (December 12, 2022): Hong Kong further loosens quarantine requirements. According to a notice posted on the Hong Kong government website, from Friday, December 9 onwards, the quarantine period for people infected with COVID-19 has been reduced from seven days to just five days. People that have tested positive for COVID-19 can now be released from quarantine if they test negative on a rapid antigen test (RAT) on days 4 and 5 after being placed into quarantine. Close contacts of infected people can now also be discharged on day 5 if they test negative on a RAT every day for the duration of the quarantine period. In addition, people arriving from Taiwan or overseas will now only be required to take RATs after arrival in Hong Kong, rather than a nucleic acid test. Previously, overseas arrivals were required to take nucleic acid tests on the first two days after arrival. The new requirements are effective from December 9 onward and apply retroactively to people who arrived in Hong Kong prior to this date and are still in self-isolation as of December 9. 

UPDATE (December 12, 2022): China’s travel code to go offline from December 13. Chinese media have reported that the travel code (通信行程卡), which was used to track whether people had traveled to areas with COVID-19 cases, will officially go offline from December 13 onward. All of the travel codes services, including text messages, web pages, the standalone app, and the Alipay and WeChat mini-programs, will no longer be accessible from this date. The retiring of the travel code marks the latest move to dismantle China’s COVID-19 prevention and control infrastructure.

UPDATE (December 7, 2022): China abandons the health code and centralized quarantine, along with new relaxed measures.

As of December 7, 2022, the National Health Commission held a press conference to release further optimization of COVID-19 measures. The adjusted regulations read as below:

• Risk areas confined to building and specific floors: Moving forward, risk areas will only be identified by the specific apartment, building, unit, or floor. Authorities are not allowed to arbitrarily classify a whole residential community, neighborhood, district, etc. in a high-risk region.
• Health Code and COVID-19 tests requirements: PCR tests will still be required in high-risk areas. However, other venues, establishments, or public places—aside from nursing homes, medical facilities, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, etc.—will no longer require testing or performing health code checks. Additionally, people traveling to China Additionally, if you travel to China, will no longer be asked to check their health code upon arrival if the COVID-19 test results are negative.
• Infected people can now isolate at home:  Infected people, including those who are asymptomatic or have “minor” symptoms, can isolate at home or in a dedicated facility. After six-to-seven days of home isolation, if double COVID-19 test results are negative, the patient will be released from isolation. Close contacts will also be able to conduct home quarantine for five days or can choose to isolate in a dedicated facility.
• Put “Quickly Lockdown, Quickly Release” into practice: After five days in a row with no new reported cases, high-risk areas (now only specified to particular floors and rooms in buildings)
• Make sure that everyone has access to health care: All pharmacies should be open for business and should not be forced to close. Online and offline sales of over-the-counter medications shouldn’t be prohibited.
• Vaccinate senior citizens: To increase the immunization rate for those between the ages of 60 and 79 as well as those 80 and older, all communities should adhere to the maxim “do everything feasible.”
• Improve population health status: Family physicians and neighborhood clinics would be granted complete authority as the “gatekeepers of health.”
• Make sure society runs normally and that basic medical services are available: Personnel mobility must not be restricted, and labor, manufacturing, or business operations must not be stopped in low-risk locations.
• Implement security: To guarantee that individuals may leave to go to a doctor for medical treatment and emergency refuge, it is completely prohibited to block fire routes, unit doors, and community doors in a variety of ways.
• Improve prevention and control measures in education: Nationwide criteria for accurate prevention and control should be firmly implemented in schools. Schools that are not affected by the virus should continue their regular offline instruction, and on-campus stores, canteens, stadiums, and libraries should operate normally.

UPDATE (December 4, 2022):  Major cities in China ease COVID-19 requirements to access public transport and places.

Several cities in China have declared that negative COVID-19 test results will no longer be required to ride public transport according to the optimization of control measures. Most cities also removed the negative test requirement to enter public spaces such as bars, restaurants, museums, and other establishments (apart from healthcare, educational, and certain other institutions). The list of municipalities and cities that announced changes includes: Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Tianjin, Harbin, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Dalian, Jinzhou, Shenyang, Taiyuan, Xi’an, Shanghai , and Chengdu.

UPDATE (November 29, 2022): China announces progress in COVID-19 vaccination and encourages booster shots for elderly groups.

  In a press conference held on November 29, 2022, the National Health Commission (NHC) disclosed that as of November 28, 2022,  the number of people over the age of 60 who were vaccinated and fully vaccinated reached 239.4 million and 228.165 million, accounting for 90.68 percent and 86.42 percent of the elderly population, respectively. The number of people over the age of 60 who have received booster shots reached 181.511 million. A total of 23.5663 million people over the age of 80 were fully vaccinated, accounting for 65.8 percent of the age group, a significant increase from 40 percent on November 11, 2022. The number of people over the age of 80 who have received booster shots reached 14.456 million. However, the vaccination rate for older people in China is generally below that of the US and Singapore. The NHC recommended that people without contraindications who are eligible for vaccination, especially the elderly, should be vaccinated as soon as possible, and those eligible for booster shots should be vaccinated as soon as possible.

UPDATE (NOVEMBER 11, 2022):  China further shortens mandatory hotel quarantine period for international arrivals, cancels the circuit breaker mechanism for inbound flights, and requires only one negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding.  

According to a  circular  released by the National Health Commission (NHC) on Friday, November 11, 2022, China will ease some of its COVID-19 rules to better balance COVID-19 prevention and control with economic and social development. Among others, the below adjustments have been introduced:

• For close contacts and inbound travelers, the quarantine requirement will change from “7 days centralized quarantine + 3 days home health monitoring” to “5 days centralized quarantine + 3 days home quarantine”. Upon the completion of the quarantine at the first point of entry, the quarantine at the destination will not be repeated for inbound travelers.
• Secondary close contacts will no longer be traced.
• For people passing through high-risk areas, the quarantine requirement will change from “7 days centralized quarantine” to “7 days home quarantine”.
• The three categories of “high-risk areas, medium-risk areas, low-risk areas” will be simplified to two categories—”high-risk areas and low-risk areas”.
• Areas that are not experiencing outbreaks are discouraged from mass testing.
• The circuit breaker mechanism for inbound flights will be abolished, and the requirement of “two negative nucleic acid tests within 48 hours before boarding” will be adjusted to “one negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours before boarding”.
• Important inbound business personnel, sports groups, and other groups will be exempted from quarantine by staying within a “closed-loop bubble” throughout the duration of their stay in China, which means “point-to-point” transfer to the isolation-free closed-loop management area.
• China will intensify efforts to address the “one-size-fits-all” problem of COVID-19 prevention measures. It is strictly prohibited to arbitrarily close schools and classes, suspend production, block traffic without approval, arbitrarily adopt “static management”, arbitrarily impose lockdowns, and so on.
• During a COVID-19 outbreak, China shall make every effort to ensure the smooth flow of logistics. It is prohibited to arbitrarily ask key enterprises that are engaged in the overall industrial chain or provide services or products that affect people’s livelihoods to suspend production.
• China Briefing continues its coverage of updates on China travel restrictions on foreign nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In this article, we provide an overview of the latest China travel restrictions, including the latest regulations on flights to China, how to obtain a Chinese visa, China entry requirements during COVID, and current China quarantine rules.
• For regular COVID-19 updates, you can check our COVID-19 tracker , which is updated every weekday.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, China has imposed a strict “zero Covid” policy to prevent the spread of the virus and keep cases as close to zero as possible.

This policy has been largely successful, with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in 2021 numbering in the low thousands, far below that of many other countries.

Despite high hopes at the beginning of 2021 that China would begin to relax its rules and entry requirements, the recent Delta and Omicron outbreaks have only impelled the government to double down on prevention measures, including reducing the number of international flight routes, increasing the length of quarantines on arrival, and amping up domestic prevention measures.

In this article, we explain how foreigners can enter China – from booking a flight to obtaining a visa to undergoing pre- and post-flight testing and quarantine – and offer an overview of China’s domestic COVID-19 prevention measures and policies.

Flights to China

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is responsible for approving direct international flight routes to and from China, as well as the airlines approved to operate on these routes. To see the dates of currently scheduled flights approved by the CAAC, look up the departure city and destination on the CAAC website’s flight search (Chinese only).

The CAAC recently announced an increase in the number of weekly flights for the winter and spring seasons. According to a notice published on the central government website, in the period from October 30, 2022, to March 25, 2023, foreign and domestic airlines can operate a total of 840 passenger flights a week, an increase of 105.9 percent from the same period in 2021 and 2022. In addition, a total of 6,148 weekly cargo flights can be operated, an increase of 6.7 percent from the same period the year before.

In response to the announcement, several Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, and Xiamen Airlines have announced new international flight routes starting from the week of November 1, 2022. China Airlines’ new flight routes include Beijing to Johannesburg, Chongqing to Budapest, and Chongqing to Ho Chi Minh City, according to a report from The Global Times .

In order to implement the State Council’s requirements for an orderly increase of international passenger flights as soon as possible, several airline companies in China have announced the resumption or increase in the number of international routes. Among them:

• China Eastern Airlines plans to increase its weekly international routes to 42 and flights to 108 flights from October 30, 2022, up from 25 routes and 54 flights in mid-October.
• In November, China Eastern Airlines will continue to resume and increase its international routes with Manila and Ho Chi Minh.
• China Southern Airlines announced that it would increase its weekly international flights from 71 to 86.
• Hainan Airlines plans to increase international flights between Chongqing and Rome to two a week from November 6, 2022.
• The official WeChat account of Air China announced that it would resume several international routes.
• Spring Airlines said on its official WeChat account on October 13 that it would start operating multiple routes with Hong Kong and Macao and other international routes from October 14, 2022.
• Juneyao Airlines has resumed and added some international routes in October with Seoul and Osaka.

These moves are mostly to answer the demand for business travel and don’t mean that China will resume large-scale international travel soon, according to a Caixin report. China has gradually eased COVID-19 prevention measures for international travelers over the past few months. Nevertheless, the number of daily cross-border flights is only five percent of that in 2019. 

As of November 11, 2022, China has abolished the “circuit breaker” mechanism for controlling the number of inbound flights, which would see flight routes suspended if passengers tested positive for COVID-19 after arrival in China. This is a major step toward increasing the number of flights to China and will reduce the number of flight cancelations and delays.

China travel restrictions

China has imposed strict travel restrictions on international arrivals since March 2020 to stop the introduction of COVID-19 cases from abroad. Since then, the restrictions have successively been loosened and tightened again in response to the changing situation of the pandemic worldwide.

In addition to the reduced frequency of international passenger flights, restrictions include limited visa availability (including a suspension of tourist visas) and strict COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements before and after arrival in China.

Overview of past China travel restrictions

China has been adjusting its travel/entry policies from time to time based on the global pandemic situation, and so far, it has implemented four major phases of travel restrictions.

Phase I: China first imposed travel restrictions on March 28, 2020. At this time, foreigners from all countries were prohibited from entering China on most types of visas. Exceptions were given to those who held diplomatic, service, courtesy, or C visas; those traveling to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific, or technological activities; or out of emergency humanitarian needs. New visas issued after March 28, 2020 were not affected.

Phase II: The Phase I restrictions were temporarily lifted in September 2020, when foreigners  with valid residence permits for work, personal matters, and reunion, would be allowed to  enter the country without needing to re-apply for new visas.

Those whose visas or residence permits had expired in the meantime could re-apply for relevant visas by presenting the expired residence permits, without requiring a new invitation letter. The re-application had to be on the condition that the purpose of the visa or permit holders’ visit to China  remained unchanged.

Phase III:   On November 3, 2020, due to the worsening pandemic in several areas of the world, China re-imposed the initial rules set out in March of 2020 for foreign nationals from the following countries: the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, Philippines, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, and South Africa.

Under this policy,  foreigners from these countries will need to fully follow the entry rules set during Phase I restrictions. New visas issued after November 3, 2020 were not affected.

Phase IV: In early March 2021, China   announced that travelers who have received Chinese COVID-19 vaccines and obtained the vaccination certificate can enjoy streamlined visa applications from March 15, 2021. We discuss this in more detail below.

Obtaining a visa to China

At present, foreigners are permitted to enter China if they have a valid residence permit or a corresponding visa obtained after March 28, 2020 (except for foreign nationals from the countries exempted in Phase III). Foreign nationals from the countries listed in Phase III are only permitted entry if they have obtained a visa or residence permit after November 3, 2020, when the Phase III restrictions were imposed.

Below is an overview of the types of visas that are currently being issued by Chinese visa offices.

In addition to the above scenarios, foreign nationals who have been inoculated with a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine can enjoy an easier visa application procedure with looser requirements, although they are still limited to the above visa types. The applicants will be required to provide the vaccination certificate along with the other application documents.

The loosened application requirements are:

• Standard application procedure – the same as before the COVID-19 pandemic – for foreign nationals and their family members who travel to China for purposes of “resuming work and production”.
• A looser definition of ‘emergency need’ for application to a humanitarian visa. The definition can be expanded to include reuniting with family in China, elderly care, and visiting relatives.
• APEC business travel card holders can apply for a business visa (M visa) by presenting the original valid APEC business travel card and an invitation letter issued by the inviting party in mainland China.

The below visa types are currently not being issued:

• Tourist visa (L visa)
• Student visa (X1 and X2 visa) (except for South Korean nationals)

The following visa-free policies are also currently suspended:

• 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy
• Hainan 30-day visa-free policy
• 15-day visa-free policy for foreign cruise group tours through Shanghai Port
• Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign group tours from Hong Kong or Macao SAR
• Guangxi 15-day visa-free policy for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries

In early June, China waived the requirement for a PU letter (a government-issued invitation letter) for work visas (Z visas) and visas for dependent family members (Q visa).

The following types of foreign travelers will no longer be required to apply for a PU Letter, and they will be able to apply for a Chinese work visa/Z-visa to the relevant Chinese authorities abroad by presenting their Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit or proof of family relationship:

• Foreigners who have been approved by the competent authorities to work in China and hold a valid Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit.
• Foreign dependents whose spouse has been approved to work in China (including those who are already in the country), and their children under the age of 18 years.

Visa application waiver for APEC card holders and students with residence permits

Effective from August 24, 2022, foreigners who hold a valid APEC card to conduct business in China and foreign students with a valid residence permit for study purposes can enter China without applying for a new visa, as per the announcement of the Chinese embassies in various countries. In addition, China will also resume accepting Study X1-Visa applications from foreigners applying to study in China for more than 180 days. Please consult the respective embassy website of  Myanmar , Thailand , Singapore , Malaysia , Indonesia , Nepal , Kazakhstan , Palestine , Bahrain , Kyrgyzstan , Pakistan , Tajikistan , Qatar , Italy , Ireland , the United Kingdom , Sweden , Montenegro , Malta , Algeria , South Africa , Rwanda , Liberia , Zambia , Tanzania , Mexico , Canada , Cuba , Brazil for further clarification. The Chinese embassy in India has also updated the “Application Procedures and Material Requirements of China Visa” , to be implemented starting August 24, 2022.

Possible return of tourism to China

China has begun to consider reopening its border to some foreign tourists. On September 16, 2022, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism released an exposure draft of the  Measures for Border Tourism Administration for public comment until September 29, 2022. According to the exposure draft, China will encourage its border areas to create distinctive border tourism destinations, specify that border tourism groups can flexibly choose entry and exit ports, and remove preconditions, such as border travel approval and some entry and exit document requirements. Some analysts  believe it’s a positive sign that China will make it easier for foreigners to enter the country, though only foreign tourists as part of tour groups would be allowed to visit specific border tourism sites. More details are yet to be released regarding issues, such as whether such tourists need to follow China’s quarantine requirements for inbound travelers.

Pre-flight requirements

Since July 20, 2020, the CAAC has required both foreign and Chinese passengers flying into China to obtain COVID-19 negative certificates, known as green Health Declaration Certificate (HDC) codes, before boarding if they are flying from or transiting in any of these countries .

Pre-flight COVID-19 testing

As of November 11, 2022, passengers traveling to China are only required to take one nucleic acid (PCR) COVID-19 test within 48 hours of traveling to mainland China. This is a reduction from the previous requirement of two tests prior to the flight. If the passenger has to transit in a third city or country to travel to China, the test can now also be done in either the initial place of departure or the transit city, provided the test is done within 48 hours of boarding the flight to mainland China. Previously, passengers had to take the test in both the initial departure city and the transit city.

The COVID-19 tests must be done at facilities designated or recognized by Chinese embassies in the host country. The Chinese embassies will carefully assess the testing capacity of host countries and formulate travel procedures when testing conditions are met. Check the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website for lists of designated testing facilities in the country of departure.

Applying for a green HS/HDC code

After having taken the requisite COVID-19 test, passengers must apply for a green HS code (for Chinese nationals) or a green HDC code (for foreign nationals). Foreign nationals can apply for HDC codes by registering on the MOFA website and Chinese nationals can apply for HS codes on the WeChat mini program “防疫健康码国际版”.

The following documents are required when applying for the HDC code:

• Negative COVID-19 test results
• Flight itinerary
• Other (check the local MOFA website for a detailed list of required documents as each departure city may have different requirements).

The HDC and HS codes are valid for two days from the date of the COVID-19 test.

The green HDC code can now be obtained from the consulate or embassy in the place where the test was conducted. Passengers no longer need to obtain the code in the city from which the direct flight to China departs, unless that is also the place where the test is issued.

Travelers are advised to check the guidance of the airline they are flying with for information on airport COVID-19 testing facilities and for any other COVID-19 restrictions or requirements of the origin or transit countries that could interfere with travel plans.

China quarantine rules

China has further reduced the period of mandatory quarantine and self-isolation for international arrivals to just five days of centralized hotel quarantine plus three days of self-isolation in a hotel or at home (the “5+3” policy). The cost of the quarantine hotel must be covered by the passenger, and generally ranges between RMB 350 (US$55) and RMB 600 (US$94) per day, depending on the quality of the hotel. The passenger generally cannot choose which hotel they will be quarantined in, although sometimes they will be given the option to choose between different price points.

During this time, you will not be permitted to leave your hotel room for any reason. Travelers are generally required to quarantine in separate hotel rooms, but children under the age of 14 are permitted to quarantine in the same room as a parent. You will also be required to take regular COVID-19 tests throughout the duration of your stay at the quarantine hotel.

Some people can apply for an exemption to centralized quarantine and get permission to quarantine at home for all or part of the five days. Those people include those who are:

• Older than 70
• Younger than 14
• With an underlying medical condition

After being released from centralized quarantine, you must undergo three days of self-isolation, which can be done either at home or in another hotel if you do not have a home to go to. During this period, you must refrain from social gatherings and take a nucleic acid test on days 1 and 3.

Some cities may have additional self-isolation and/or testing requirements for people that arrive from abroad, even if they have completed the hotel quarantine and self-isolation in another mainland city. Health monitoring restrictions vary between districts and cities but may involve home quarantine (if you are a resident of the arrival city), restricted movement (such as only within the community where your house or hotel is situated), and regular COVID-19 tests and temperature checks.

China provincial travel restrictions

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 across provinces and cities in China, there are several domestic prevention measures in place for domestic travelers. The most common is the requirement to show a green health and travel code either before taking a train, plane, or bus to a different city or upon arrival.

Some cities will also require travelers to show a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last 48 hours, either before boarding the chosen mode of transport or upon arrival at the destination (or both).

Note that many hotels have temporarily stopped accepting foreign guests due to COVID-19 restrictions. Some that do accept foreign guests may also require them to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 48 hours, even if the city itself does not impose this requirement.

If you are staying in any other specialized or restricted area, such as a school, university campus, or government facility, you may also be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter even if there is no city-wide requirement. It is therefore advised to call ahead to ensure that the hotel or other accommodation can accept foreign guests and to confirm which documents are required to stay there.

Quarantine requirements for domestic arrivals depend on whether the traveler has been to a high-risk area (keep reading below for more details on China’s risk tier system).

All arrivals from high-risk areas within China are now required to undergo seven days of home quarantine and health monitoring, rather than seven days of the centralized hotel quarantine. During this period,  travelers must take a nucleic acid test on days 1, 3, 5, and 7.

Travelers can search the latest local travel requirements by entering the departure and destination city in the travel policy search tool on the State Council app or WeChat mini program. This service is currently only available in Chinese. To find the tool in WeChat, search “疫情服务” ( yìqíng fúwù – pandemic services) and then choose “出行防疫政策查询” ( chūxíng fángyì zhèngcè cháxún – travel pandemic prevention policy search) under the “tools” section (实用工具 – shíyòng gōngjù ).

In general, if you are traveling from a low-risk area, you will not be required to quarantine, although negative COVID-19 tests may be required.

Measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on service sector

On February 18, 2022, the country’s main economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), along with other government bodies, issued a list of supportive policies for the service sector, which, among other things, bans local governments from implementing lockdowns and travel restrictions without approval from the central government. Specifically, the policy list outlines several “must nots” for local authorities, which include:

• Must not stop people from low-risk areas from returning to their hometowns;
• Must not arbitrarily expand the scope of medium and high-risk areas;
• Must not subject people from low-risk areas to measures such as centralized quarantine without authorization or arbitrarily extend the period of centralized quarantine;
• Must not lock down cities or districts in breach of epidemic prevention regulations or unnecessarily interrupt public transport without approval;
• Must not shut down or extend shutdowns of restaurants, supermarkets, scenic spots, movie theaters, and other service providers without a policy basis.

The policy measures will hopefully make it easier for people to travel between different regions in China, in particular those living in areas with medium and high-risk areas, and help boost domestic consumption.

China’s COVID-19 risk level system

China has previously imposed a three-tiered system for determining the risk level of a given jurisdiction in China, with the risk level divided into low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk. However, On November 11, 2022, the NHC stated that the medium-risk designation would be abolished. Now, all of China is designated as “low risk” by default, and areas that have recorded a positive COVID-19 case in the last five days are classed as “high risk”. Check our COVID-19 tracker for the latest numbers of high-risk areas.

China’s National Health Commission also launched a WeChat mini program for citizens to check out the infection risk level of a certain area and for frontline workers to check the countries and cities visited by a traveler in the past 14 days. A ‘visit’ to a given city or region constitutes a stay of over four hours in total.

The program also allows users to check if they have taken the same public transport as a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

China health code

As part of the domestic COVID-19 prevention measures, citizens are required to present a green health or travel code to enter public places and travel between cities in China.

There are two main health codes required for traveling within China: The Health Code (健康吗/随身吗) and the Travel Code (行程卡). Both health codes are embedded into the popular messaging app WeChat, operated by Tencent, and the payment app Alipay, operated by Alibaba. The travel code can also be downloaded as a standalone app.

To obtain the codes, residents must input information, including an ID number, home address, health status, contact history, and residence history, into the apps. The apps will then generate a green, yellow, or red QR code depending on their travel and contact history.

The health code tracks the holder’s health status based on location services and the information they have provided. Most cities use the same health code, which will update automatically to the local version based on the phone’s location services (see image below). However, some cities, such as Beijing (which uses a mini-program called the “Health Kit” (健康宝)), have their own standalone apps or mini-programs. You may therefore have to register for a separate local health code when traveling to certain cities.

The travel code, meanwhile, tracks and lists all the cities you have traveled to in the last 14 days. It will turn yellow if you have traveled to a medium-risk area or red if you have traveled to a high-risk area in the last 14 days.

The significance of holding a green, yellow, or red health code differs in different cities and regions. A green health code generally means citizens can freely move around and travel to different cities, although some cities and regions will still require inbound travelers to quarantine or self-isolate upon arrival. The yellow or red code may subject the holder to seven and 14 days of quarantine respectively, at home or at a designated hotel.

Generally speaking, as long as you are traveling from a low-risk area, the green color in your health code system won’t change. But if you are from medium or high-risk areas, your travel to other Chinese provinces and cities will probably be restricted and you will be required to quarantine upon arrival.

Fast-track channels with foreign countries

China has set up fast-track channels with various countries that will make it easier for those traveling for essential business or official visits to travel to and from China. So far, China has signed fast-track agreements with Germany , France, South Korea , the UK , Japan , and Singapore .

In addition to the above, in November 2021, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai announced that it had reached an agreement with the local Foreign Affairs Offices (FAO) to implement a US-China fast-track program in early 2022. Details of the fast-track program have yet to be released.

To qualify, applicants must get a letter from the local Chinese embassy granting approval for the fast lane program. Fast-track travelers are required to undergo COVID-19 testing before departure and after arrival in China. Those who test negative after arrival in China are not required to undergo centralized quarantine but must adhere to a strictly monitored itinerary for the first 14 days and take regular tests.

According to the European Chamber of China , supporting measures to facilitate the return of foreign nationals to China for urgent or necessary purposes are being conducted at a local level, including in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanghai, and Tianjin.

In Shanghai, the MOFA and the Shanghai Municipality Government have issued two channels – a normal channel and a fast track channel – to facilitate the entry into China of employees essential for business operations.

The fast-track channel is only applied to employees of companies whose country of origin has signed a fast-track agreement with China.

Employees entering Shanghai following the fast-track procedure will be allowed to start work within 48 hours after arrival, subject to negative COVID-19 test results. Those entering Shanghai following the normal procedure will be subject to a 14-day quarantine at a designated central facility. Please see our article here to understand the detailed application procedures.

For South Korea, in addition to the other fast-track privileges, China has also resumed issuing visas to South Korean students, employees hired to work in China, and those with residence permits.

China recognition of foreign vaccines

In April 2021, China confirmed it would accept US travelers inoculated with American-made vaccines. The Chinese Embassy in the United States issued a notice on April 21, 2021, allowing US passengers vaccinated with American-made non-inactivated vaccines to depart from Dallas and enter the Chinese mainland. The accepted American-made non-inactivated vaccines include vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The Notice required that passengers must get all the required shots before their trip to China. China-bound passengers are still required to provide positive IgM antibody test results as well as negative PCR test results.

Will China travel restrictions be loosened in 2022?

China has already loosened travel restrictions several times in 2022, but many restrictions still remain. Loosened restrictions include shortened mandatory hotel quarantine for inbound travelers from 14 days to just five, the removal of centralized hotel quarantine for domestic travelers from high-risk areas, shortened time period in which an area or district is designated as “high-risk”, and the abolishing secondary close contact tracking, among others.

These developments will make it considerably easier for people to travel to and around China and reduce the risk of lockdowns and closures for businesses and individuals.

However, the road toward the complete lifting of all restrictions and a change to “living with COVID” is still unclear. The EU Chamber of Commerce in China has stated in its European Business in China Position Paper 2022/2023 (Position Paper) that it does not anticipate a full reopening of the Chinese border until H2 2023.

Meanwhile, Chinese officials have repeatedly shot down speculation that China will abolish its “zero COVID”, or “dynamic clearing” policy, stating that the need for COVID-19 prevention measures has not gone away.   In an  interview  with CCTV on October 13, 2022, the Head of the National Health Commission’s expert group on epidemic control Liang Wannian reiterated the need to maintain zero-COVID in China because at present, China “cannot achieve a complete balance between the resistance of our health system and viral diseases” and that lifting of restrictions “will lead to a large number of infections, severe illness, and death” which would “lead to a run on the medical system, which in turn will further aggravate people’s fears and have a greater impact on society and the economy”. When asked about a possible timeline for return to normal life, he said that “from a scientific point of view, it is difficult to clearly delineate a specific time period”.

China’s zero-Covid policy has proven, thus far, to be extremely effective at preventing the spread of the virus through the population, even with the arrival of the more infectious Delta and Omicron variants. As of November 14, 2022, the official death toll is only 5,226, and the total number of confirmed infections is 268,753 – far below that of other countries.

Although the prevention measures would be considered drastic in other parts of the world, they largely have the support of the wider Chinese population. This is helped by the fact that due to the highly targeted nature of the lockdowns and travel restrictions, only a very small proportion of the population is affected at one time – usually only those living in the district or housing community in which a case was detected – thereby allowing the majority of the population to live life as normal.

In addition, the recent spread of the Omicron variant has given even more credence to China’s prevention strategy and has only led it to double down on its current policies. This is compounded by the fact that China’s domestic booster vaccines (which have been used to administer 1.27 billion doses as of November 4, 2022), appear to be weaker against the new Omicron variant than previous strains.

Apart from genuine concern for the health and well-being of the population and the stability of the healthcare system, China also has political and economic reasons for remaining unwavering in its zero-Covid stance.

During the first wave of COVID-19 in Wuhan in early 2020, the government found itself the subject of a rare bout of criticism from the general population as case numbers and the death toll rose. The government has since worked hard to regain the confidence of the people, and one way to do this is to ensure the basic livelihoods of the people – by providing fiscal stimulus and support, but above all else, by ensuring that COVID-19 is not permitted to spread as it did in early 2020.

On the other hand, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China was devastating – as it was in most of the world – and yet the country has succeeded in mostly bouncing back without reopening to foreign travel. One of the major contributors to the post-COVID recovery was domestic consumption, which has been greatly boosted by low COVID-19 numbers allowing a return to normal work and productivity.

In short, the economic impact of keeping borders closed is far lower than the impact of COVID-19 spreading through the population.

Going into 2023, what we may see instead, and what is suggested by the recent developments, is not necessarily a complete reopening, but instead further gradual steps toward relaxation, as well as a more flexible approach to allow local jurisdictions to adapt restrictions to local needs and conditions. The central government has previously admonished local governments for implementing a “one-size-fits-all” strategy for COVID-19 prevention, which has led to excessively strict or ineffective measures. The November 11 notice from the NHC explicitly calls for reining in excessive COVID-19 prevention measures, which cause significant disruption to business operations and the daily lives of individuals.

There are, of course, also some situations that could help convince authorities to further ease restrictions. One is the roll-out of a highly effective vaccine. China is developing its own mRNA vaccine, which may be approved for use soon . In addition to a domestic vaccine, the mRNA vaccine developed by Germany’s BioNTech has recently been approved for expats living in China, and the company has previously also reached an agreement with Shanghai Fosun Pharma to set up a 50-50 joint venture to produce and sell mRNA vaccines in China. Mean while, the Shanghai-based biopharma firm Everest Medicine has signed a license agreement with the Canadian biotech company Providence Therapeutics to produce and sell its potential mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in China. Everest Medicine hopes to complete their China factory by the end of the year.

In addition to an effective vaccine, an effective drug to treat COVID-19 could also mark a significant step toward reopening. On December 8, 2021, China’s top medicine regulator, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved a neutralizing antibody combination therapy against COVID-19, which can be used for adults and adolescents with mild to moderate symptoms who are at risk of developing more severe symptoms. Clinical trials show a significant reduction in hospitalization and death, and the drug has already been used on patients in China.

As it currently stands, however, China is not ready to fully reopen quarantine-free travel, and restrictions are expected to persist. The next best thing may be further relaxing of travel restrictions, shortening of quarantines and lockdown periods, and potential “closed-loop” tourist areas in border regions.

China Briefing is written and produced by Dezan Shira & Associates . The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done so since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at [email protected] .

Dezan Shira & Associates has offices in Vietnam , Indonesia , Singapore , United States , Germany , Italy , India , and Russia , in addition to our trade research facilities along the Belt & Road Initiative . We also have partner firms assisting foreign investors in The Philippines , Malaysia , Thailand , Bangladesh .

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Understanding the Current Travel Restrictions from India to China

China is a popular destination for travelers from India, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse range of attractions. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions between the two countries have been put in place to control the spread of the virus. In this article, we will provide an overview of the current travel restrictions from India to China and the measures in place to ensure the safety of travelers.

As of 2021, the Indian Government has suspended all regular and charter commercial passenger flights to and from India until further notice. However, special flights under the Vande Bharat Mission and Air Bubble arrangements are still operational between India and China. These flights are subject to strict protocols, such as a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test report, and quarantine requirements upon arrival.

In addition, travelers from India will also be required to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival in China, and may be subject to quarantine for a certain period of time depending on the local situation and the region they are traveling to. These measures are subject to change depending on the situation and the region, so it’s important to check the latest information before your trip.

It’s also worth noting that the Chinese government has implemented a health code requirement for travelers entering the country, this could be done by using the “health QR code” which is obtained by providing personal information and health information to the Chinese authorities and getting a QR code that shows that the person has undergone a recent COVID-19 test, and if it’s negative the person can enter the country.

As the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving, it’s important to stay informed and to follow the guidance of the local health authorities and the Indian and Chinese governments. It’s also important to be aware that travel restrictions may change at short notice, and to have a flexible travel plan in case of last-minute changes.

In conclusion, while the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to travel restrictions between India and China, it is still possible to travel between the two countries. However, it’s important to be aware of the current requirements and restrictions.

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• Airlines issue notice on latest requirement for China-bound passengers from India; Check out new guidelines

Starting January 8, Covid-19 has been managed as a Class B infectious disease in China and border control measures have been adjusted accordingly. China-bound passengers from India have been advised by the airlines to follow new guidelines to facilitate travelling. Notably, China has opened its borders for international outbound travel last week.

• Manas Dwivedi ,
• ETTravelWorld
• Updated On Jan 17, 2023 at 03:47 PM IST

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China's reopening comes as surging Covid infections have led the United States, Japan and others to require negative coronavirus tests from Chinese arrivals, discouraging travel. Since regulatory approval from both countries is required to add flights, at a time of US-China trade tensions, short-term capacity could be limited, industry sources said.

• By Manas Dwivedi ,
• Published On Jan 17, 2023 at 03:47 PM IST

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Travel Advisory June 30, 2023

See summaries - mainland china, hong kong & macau.

Reissued with updates to wrongful detention language and information for the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions (SARs).

Summary: Reconsider travel to Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions .

Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws .

Reconsider travel to the Macau SAR due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services . Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Macau SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws .

See specific risks and conditions in each jurisdiction. 

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Recommend consult with travel clinic

Max RMB 20,000

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Beijing No. 55 An Jia Lou Road Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 Telephone: +86 10-8531-4000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +86 10-8531-4000 Fax: +86 10-8531-3300 Email: [email protected] This consular district includes Beijing, Tianjin, Gansu, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Xinjiang, Chongqing, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet.

U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau 26 Garden Road Central, Hong Kong Telephone:  +852 2841-2211, +852 2841-2225, +852 2841-2323   Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +852 2523-9011   Fax:  +852 2845-4845 Email:   [email protected]   This consular district includes the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions (SARs).

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou No. 43 Hua Jiu Road Zhujiang New Town Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510623 Telephone: +86 20-3814-5775 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +86 10-8531-4000 Fax: +86 20-3814-5572 Email:   [email protected]  This consular district includes Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai No. 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Road Xuhui District, Shanghai 200041 Telephone: +86 21-8011-2400  Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +86 10-8531-4000  Fax: +86 21-6148-8266  Email:   [email protected]  This consular district includes Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang No. 52 14th Wei Road Heping District, Shenyang 110003 Telephone: +86 24-2322-1198  Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +86 10-8531-4000 Fax: +86 24-8610-6904  Email:  [email protected]  This consular district includes Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning.

U.S. Consulate General Wuhan No. 396 Xin Hua Road Wuhan Minsheng Bank Building Jianghan District, Wuhan 430015 Telephone: +86 27-8563 2800  Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +86 10-8531-4000  Fax:  +86 27-5949 6496 Email:  [email protected] This consular district includes Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi.

Destination Description

See the U.S. Department of State’s Fact Sheet on the People's Republic of China for information on U.S.-China relations. 

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Entry & Exit:

• Obtain a visa prior to arrival in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and have a passport with at least six months' validity remaining. The lack of either will result in a fine and immediate deportation upon arrival.
• Apply for a ten-year multiple entry visa, useful for repeated travel, or trips to the Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Regions (SARs) with returns to mainland China.
• If you plan to work in the PRC, be sure to obtain the correct visa. Working in the PRC is not permissible on a student or tourist visa, and may result in detention, criminal charges, imprisonment, and deportation.
• You must have a valid visa to exit the PRC and you must leave the PRC before the expiration of the listed duration of stay.
• Do not travel to the PRC if you have a warrant for your arrest in the United States.

Lack of a visa, having an expired visa, or overstaying your visa will result in detention and/or fines.

• Apply for a visa extension from the local  Entry-Exit Bureau  before attempting to leave the PRC. Do not expect your request to be expedited, so apply ahead of time.
• Staying in the PRC on an expired visa may lead to a fine, imprisonment, and deportation.
• Visit the website of the  Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America  for current visa information as well as information on the PRC’s immigration and nationality laws.

The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR): The TAR requires special permits for tourist travel, most often obtained through a travel agent in the PRC. If you do enter a restricted area without the requisite permit, you could be fined, taken into custody, and deported for illegal entry. To learn more about specific entry requirements for the TAR or other restricted areas, check with the  Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America . The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the PRC. Transiting the PRC:

• When transiting certain international airports, you may stay in mainland China without a PRC visa. However, this “visa-free travel” permit is only valid for the city of arrival and does not allow you to visit other cities in the PRC.
• The duration of allowed stay and how broadly you may travel varies by region.
• Transiting without a visa requires a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a visa for your onward destination (if necessary), and an onward ticket from the same location.
• You must inform your airline upon check-in and get an endorsement stamp at the immigration desk before leaving the airport.
• Consult the  Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America  for a current list of eligible airports and more detailed guidance.
• PRC border officials have the authority to deny foreign travelers’ entry to the PRC without warning or explanation. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General cannot intervene on your behalf if denied entry to the PRC.

During Your Stay: 

• Failure to register your stay within 24 hours of arrival in the PRC could result in fines and deportation. You can register with hotel staff or the local police station. 
• Local regulations require foreigners to carry valid passports and PRC visas or residence permits at all times.
• Entry and exit requirements are strictly enforced, as are restrictions on activities allowed by any particular visa class.
• Police, school administrators, transportation officials, and hotel staff may check your visa to make sure you have not overstayed. If you overstay your visa’s duration of stay, you may be denied service by hotels, airports, and train stations, as well as face fines and detention.
• If you encounter problems in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide assistance because the PRC government does not usually authorize U.S. government personnel to travel there, even to provide consular assistance to U.S. citizens.

Dual Nationality: The PRC government does not recognize dual nationality.  If you are a dual national of the United States and the PRC, or otherwise have ethnic or historical ties to the PRC, it is possible that PRC authorities will assert that you are a PRC citizen, limit your ability to access certain consular services, and, if you are detained, deny your access to U.S. consular officials. Because the PRC government does not recognize dual citizenship, dual U.S.-PRC citizens may face a number of hurdles when seeking public benefits in the PRC. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of the PRC may experience difficulty in accessing benefits in the PRC, such as enrollment in public schools, treatment at public hospitals and clinics, or obtaining PRC identity and citizenship documents, such as passports. U.S.-PRC dual citizens must navigate conflicting aspects of PRC nationality, which the PRC government may inconsistently apply.

If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen or have a possible claim to PRC citizenship, and you are traveling to the PRC, inform yourself about PRC nationality law and practices relating to determination and loss of PRC citizenship. PRC authorities generally consider a child born in the PRC to at least one PRC-national parent to be a PRC citizen, even if the child was issued a U.S. passport at the time of birth. If you have or had a claim to PRC citizenship and your child is born in the PRC, prior to departing the PRC with your child, you may wish to contact the local Public Security Bureau and/or Entry-Exit Bureau for information on obtaining a travel document. If you have or had a claim to PRC citizenship and your child is born in the United States, please contact the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America for specific information on the documentation requirements to bring your child to the PRC.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

For most visitors, the PRC remains a very safe country. Traffic accidents are the most common safety concern for U.S. citizens. Training, capability, and responsiveness of PRC authorities vary by region and even by city. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General have no law enforcement authority and may not represent U.S. citizens in either criminal or civil legal matters.

To ensure your safety and security in the PRC, you should:

• Take routine safety precautions.
• Pay attention to surroundings.
• Report any concerns to the local police.
• Call “110,”  the local equivalent to “911”. English services are often available, but you should not expect English services in remote parts of the PRC.

Violent crime is not common in the PRC, however:

• While sanctioned demonstrations must be approved by PRC authorities, they can turn violent.
• Domestic unrest and terrorism can occur.
• Business disputes between U.S. citizens and PRC-national business partners can sometimes result in physical confrontation, detainment, or coercion. Go straight to the police if you feel threatened or relocate to a public place.

Be alert to criminal schemes, such as:

• “Tourist Tea” Scams: PRC nationals invite visitors out to tea and leave them with an exorbitant bill.
• Phone Scams:  Callers pose as police officers and request a funds transfer to resolve an identity theft or money laundering investigation. In these cases, DO NOT WIRE any money. If you receive any suspicious calls or requests, contact the local Public Security Bureau to verify the caller’s identity.
• “Unlicensed or Unapproved Cabs”:  Taxi and ridesharing services in China are generally licensed by authorities. Be cautious when using taxi or ridesharing services that are not accessible through mobile applications. If you use the locally approved taxi service, insist that the driver use the meter, and get a receipt. Have the name of your destination written in Chinese characters and ask the driver to remove the bags from the trunk before you get out of the taxi and before you pay.
• Counterfeit Currency:  Although counterfeit currency has been a concern in the PRC the past, making purchases in cash is increasingly less common as most vendors prefer payments through local mobile payment apps. When you need cash, use only ATMs at trusted financial institutions, and carry a variety of denominations as vendors may have limited cash on hand as change.

Be alert to criminal schemes, such as internet, phone scams, dating scams, as well as financial scams. If you already have been victim of a scam, catalogue as many details as possible, including names, telephone and bank numbers, and email and IP addresses; file a police report, and inform the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General. See the  U.S. Department of State's  and the  U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)'s  pages for information on scams. Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate General. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault can contact the local police and should contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

We can: 

• Help you find appropriate medical care.
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.
• Provide a list of local attorneys.
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States .
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Lost or Stolen Passports:  If your passport is stolen, you must apply for both a new passport at the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General and a new PRC visa. File a police report at the nearest police station right away. You may also be directed to file a report at the local Exit-Entry Bureau .

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General for assistance. Domestic violence in the PRC is rarely recognized as a crime.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the PRC government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:   You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. See  crimes against minors abroad  and the U.S. Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General immediately.

• PRC authorities must notify a U.S. consular officer within four days; however, this does not always occur in a timely manner.
• A consular officer may be the only authorized visitor during your initial detention period.
• Bail is rarely granted.
• Detention may last many months before a trial.
• The U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General is unable to represent you in a legal matter.
• Travelers to the PRC should enroll in the State Department’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  and you may wish to have someone contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General if you are detained.
• Please see the section on DUAL NATIONALITY for the limits on consular notification and access to dual nationals.
• See U.S. Department of State’s  webpage  for further information.

The PRC legal system can be opaque and the interpretation and enforcement of local laws arbitrary. The judiciary does not enjoy independence from political influence. U.S. citizens traveling or residing in the PRC should be aware of varying levels of scrutiny to which they will be subject from local law enforcement and state security. 

Certain provisions of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China, such as “social order” crimes (Article 293) and crimes involving “endangering state security” and “state secrets” (Article 102 to 113), are ill-defined and can be interpreted by the authorities arbitrarily and situationally. Information that may be common knowledge in other countries could be considered a “state secret” in the PRC, and information can be designated a “state secret” retroactively. Drug and Alcohol Enforcement:

PRC law-enforcement authorities have little tolerance for illegal drugs, including marijuana. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in the PRC are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, or the death penalty. Police regularly conduct unannounced drug tests on people suspected of drug use and have been known to enter a bar or nightclub and subject all patrons to immediate drug testing. Police may force you to provide a urine, blood, or hair follicle sample on short notice. A positive finding, even if the drug was legal elsewhere or consumed prior to arriving in the PRC, can lead to immediate detention, fines, deportation, and/or a ban from re-entering the PRC.

The PRC also has strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol that can lead to immediate detention on a criminal charge.

Assisted Reproductive Technology:  In vitro fertilization (IVF) is widely and legally practiced. PRC law, however, strictly forbids surrogacy, and surrogacy contracts will not be considered valid. The use of reproductive technology for medical research and profit is strictly controlled. Contracts and Commercial Disputes:  Before entering into a commercial or employment contract in the PRC, have it reviewed by legal counsel both in the United States and in the PRC. The  U.S. International Trade Administration  can assist you in identifying and vetting business contacts and opportunities but may not intervene in contract disputes. Many U.S. citizens have reported difficulty getting their contracts enforced by PRC courts or being forced out of profitable joint-ventures without opportunity to secure legal recourse in the PRC. Counterfeit Goods:  Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goods. Bootlegs are illegal in the United States, and you may also be breaking local law by purchasing them.

Cruise Ship Passengers:  Click here for  safety information and travel advice .

Digital Payments: The PRC has transitioned to almost a predominantly cashless society. Some mobile phone applications offer a digital payment solution for individuals visiting the PRC on a temporary or long-term basis. Often, payment is made through an individual using their mobile phone to scan a vendor or business’s QR code. The number of locations accepting foreign credit cards has decreased in recent years. Visitors to the PRC should research whether the locations they are visiting will accept foreign credit cards and familiarize themselves with mobile digital payment options prior to traveling to the PRC.

Earthquakes:  Earthquakes occur throughout the PRC. Check here for information about preparing for a crisis or disaster overseas.

English/Secondary School Teachers:  English teachers in the PRC frequently report employment disputes which can result in questioning by local authorities, termination, lost wages, confiscation of passports, forced eviction from housing, and even threats of violence.

Exit Bans:  Business disputes, court orders to pay a settlement, or government investigations into both criminal and civil issues may result in an exit ban which will prohibit your departure from the PRC until the issue is resolved. Even individuals and their family members who are not directly involved, or even aware of these proceedings, can be subject to an exit ban. Additionally, some local businesspeople who feel that they have been wronged by a foreign business partner may hire "debt collectors” to harass, intimidate, and sometimes physically detain foreign business partners or family members in hopes of collecting the debt. The U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General can provide a list of local attorneys who serve U.S. clients but are otherwise unable to intervene in civil cases. Local law enforcement authorities are generally unwilling to become involved in what they consider private business matters and may not provide the individual who has been barred from leaving the PRC with any written notice of the exit ban.

Faith-Based Travelers:   See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Reports
• Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  Same sex marriages are not legally recognized in the PRC and local authorities will not provide marriage certificates to same-sex couples. There are no civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, though homosexuality has been decriminalized. Prejudices and discrimination still exist in many parts of the country. There are growing LGBTQI+ communities in some of the largest cities in the PRC and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals in the PRC is relatively rare. See  Section 6 of our Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for the People's Republic of China  and read our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information page .

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):  In January 2017, the PRC implemented a law regulating the operations of foreign NGOs in the PRC. NGOs and their employees should ensure they are complying with all relevant statutory requirements, particularly if working in sensitive areas or fields. Additionally, the PRC government announced sanctions on five U.S.-based NGOs in December 2019.

North Korea:  Do not travel to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) due to the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals. For further information, consult the  North Korea International Travel Information page  and the  North Korea Travel Advisory .

Political and Religious Activity:  Participating in unauthorized political or religious activities, including participating in public protests or sending private electronic messages critical of the government   may result in detention and PRC government-imposed restrictions on future travel to the PRC. Although the PRC constitution permits freedom of religious belief, it does not permit freedom of religious practice and government officials are increasing pressure on domestic religious activities. The U.S. Mission to the PRC has observed an increase in the number of U.S. citizens being interrogated, detained, and/or forced to leave the country in connection with real or perceived religious proselytization. U.S. citizens have been detained and/or expelled for distributing religious literature, including Bibles, or engaging in unauthorized religious meetings. If you bring religious literature with you, local law dictates that it be a “reasonable amount” for your personal use. If you attempt to bring larger quantities, the literature will likely be confiscated and you may be fined, detained, or deported. Social Insurance:  The PRC has a social insurance system to which foreigners who work in the PRC must contribute. When you sign an employment contract, you must apply for a social insurance number, and it is important that your employer work with you to comply with the regulations. Please check the official website for updated information. Social Media:  Social media accounts are widely monitored in the PRC. Local authorities may use information they deem critical, controversial, or that might involve illegal activity against both the poster of the material and the host of the social media forum under local law. Individuals have also been held responsible for the content that others place within social media spaces they control, such as the comments section under a post or within a group chat that an individual controls.

Special Scrutiny of Foreign Citizens:  On occasion, U.S. citizens visiting or resident in the PRC have been interrogated or detained for reasons said to be related to “state security.” In such circumstances, you could face arrest, detention, or an exit ban prohibiting your departure from the PRC for a prolonged period. Dual U.S.-PRC nationals and U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage may be at a higher risk of facing such special scrutiny. Information about  dual nationality  can be found on our website. Students: See our  U.S. Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Surveillance and Monitoring:  Security personnel carefully watch foreign visitors and may place you under surveillance. Hotel rooms (including meeting rooms), offices, cars, taxis, telephones, internet usage, ​digital payments, and fax machines may be monitored onsite or remotely, and personal possessions in hotel rooms, including computers, may be searched without your consent or knowledge. Security personnel have been known to detain and deport U.S. citizens sending private electronic messages critical of the PRC government. Transferring Money to/from the PRC:  The regulatory environment in the PRC includes tightening capital outflow controls that can severely impact one’s ability to move money out of the country. Wire transfers may only be available to those who have an active bank account in the PRC. Ask your local bank location in the PRC for more information. The U.S. Department of State may be able to help transfer funds to a destitute U.S citizen overseas through our office in Washington, D.C., to a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General abroad. More information on this option is available  here .

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  U.S. citizens with mobility disabilities may face challenges while traveling in the PRC. Sidewalks often do not have curb cuts and many streets can be crossed only via pedestrian bridges or underpasses accessible by staircase. Assistive technologies for blind people and those with other vision disabilities are unreliable, and access to elevators in public buildings can be restricted. In major cities, public restrooms in places visited by tourists usually have a least one accessible toilet. See  Persons with Disabilities in the Human Rights Report for the People's Republic of China (2022) .

Typhoons:  The southeast coast of the PRC is subject to strong typhoons and tropical storms, usually from July through September. For current information, please consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu  and the  National Weather Service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center . Women Travelers: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region:  Extraordinary security measures are in place through the region. Authorities may impose curfews and restrictions on short notice. They may also engage in invasive surveillance techniques against individuals. Expect significant travel delays, avoid gatherings and demonstrations, always carry ID, and follow the instructions of local authorities. Travelers with ethnic ties to the region may experience special restrictions, discrimination, and even arbitrary detention.

COVID-19 Entry Requirements: There are COVID-related entry requirements in place for U.S. citizens.

• As of May 3, 2023, a negative COVID-19 PCR test or rapid antigen test (home tests are acceptable) within 48 hours of boarding is required for entry. Test results must be self-declared through a Health Declaration Form or through the China Customs smartphone app. Airlines will not check test results anymore. For more information, please see this notice .
• No proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is required for entry.
• There is no quarantine period for travelers upon arrival.

COVID-19 Testing: U.S. citizens can obtain a COVID-19 test at most hospitals and clinics in the PRC. They can choose between PCR and antigen tests, which are both available. The cost of the test is about $17 U.S. dollars, but it may vary depending on the location. The test fee is not covered by the host government and must be paid by the U.S. citizen. Test results are usually returned within 12 to 24 hours by email, text, or an update to the local COVID-19 monitoring app. For more information, please see this notice .

COVID-19 Vaccines:  Certain COVID-19 vaccines are available for U.S. citizens to receive in the PRC.

• The PRC government has conditionally authorized several vaccines that are currently available to foreigners residing in the PRC. The two most commonly available, Sinopharm and Sinovac, have not yet received approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States. Sinopharm and Sinovac have received approval for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). Please contact your local health authorities for more information.
• Visit the FDA's website to  learn more about FDA-approved vaccines  in the United States.

Quality of Care:  The standards of medical care in the PRC are not equivalent to those in the United States. Even in private hospitals or public hospitals with well-equipped wards, English-speaking patients frequently encounter difficulty due to cultural, language, and regulatory differences. Rural areas have rudimentary facilities and inadequate staffing. Additionally, Rh-negative blood may be difficult to obtain; the blood type of the general Asian populace is Rh positive. Payment and Insurance:  Ambulances in the PRC are often slow to arrive, and most do not have sophisticated medical equipment or trained responders. Cash payment for services is often required prior to treatment, including emergency cases. Travelers will be asked to post a deposit prior to admission to cover the expected cost of treatment. Hospitals in major cities may accept credit cards. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in the PRC maintain lists of local  English-speaking doctors and hospitals . Use of Medicare/Medicaid in the PRC:  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Hospitals and doctors in the PRC often do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Medication:  If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America  to ensure the medication is legal in the PRC. Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with the prescription. Many commonly used U.S. drugs and medications are not available in the PRC, and counterfeit, low-quality knockoffs are prevalent. If you try to have medications sent to you from outside the PRC, you may have problems getting them released by PRC Customs authorities and/or you may have to pay high customs duties. Air Quality:  Air pollution is a significant problem in many locations. Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. The PRC’s  Ministry of Ecology and Environment  also provides its own air quality data for cities throughout the PRC. Most roads and towns in Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and western Sichuan are situated at altitudes over 10,000 feet. Take appropriate precautions to prepare for and be alert to altitude sickness. Disease:  The following diseases are prevalent:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Tuberculosis
• Sexually transmitted infections (e.g., syphilis)

Vaccinations: Be up to date on all routine vaccinations recommended by the CDC. The CDC traveler’s health site for the PRC provides vaccine recommendations specific to travel within the PRC.

For further health information :

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Traffic safety is generally poor, and driving can be dangerous, though rules, regulations, and conditions vary greatly throughout the PRC.

Traffic can be chaotic and largely unregulated and the rate of accidents, including fatal accidents, is among the highest in the world. Motorcycle and bicycle accidents are frequent and often deadly. Pedestrians do not have the right of way, and you should show extreme caution when walking in traffic, even in marked crosswalks. Child safety seats are not widely available.

Traffic Laws:

• You may not drive in the PRC using a U.S. or international driver’s license.
• You can apply for a PRC driver’s license if you have a resident permit.
• If you are involved in a traffic accident, stay calm and call and wait for the police.
• If there are no injuries and damage is minimal, the parties often come to agreement on the spot.
• Unresolved disputes are handled by the courts.
• In cases involving injuries, the driver determined at fault is responsible for the injured person’s medical costs. Sometimes, the police may hold your passport until the other parties are satisfied with the compensation they receive.

Please refer to our  Road Safety page  for more information. Also, please review the Law of the People's Republic of China on Road Traffic Safety .

Public Transportation:  Public transportation, including subways, trains, and buses, generally has a positive safety record and is widely available in major cities, although individuals on crowded buses and subways can be targeted by pickpockets. Aviation Safety Oversight:   The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the PRC government’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the PRC’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s Safety Assessment Page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to the PRC should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) web portal. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport website , and the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Navigational Warnings website .

The Commandant of the Coast Guard is unable to determine if effective anti-terrorism measures are in place in PRC ports as required by 46 U.S. Code § 70108.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  China . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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India’s Latest Guidelines on International Travel

This timeline summarizes the most recent developments in the rules and regulations governing international travel to and from India.

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February 2023

• From February 13, 11 AM , passengers coming to India from or via China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand will not require a negative RT-PCR report from a pre-departure test for COVID-19. Travelers from these five countries will no longer have to fill the self-health declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal either. The 2% random testing on arrival in India [from any country of origin] policy that was started December 24 last year, shall continue.

January 2023

• Reported by Times of India , all Indians traveling to Sri Lanka will have to follow the country’s revised COVID-19 protocols. Sri Lanka has announced that all tourists to the country will be required to carry their vaccination cards, and unvaccinated travelers must carry a negative PCR report obtained 72 hours prior to their arrival.

December 2022

December 29, 2022.

• On December 29, 2022, India’s Federal Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that RT-PCR test would be mandatory from January 1, 2023 for international passengers travelling to India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand . The test must be conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey to India. 
• These negative RT-PCR reports must be uploaded on the Air Suvidha portal before travel.
• This requirement is in addition to the random two percent tests of all international passengers in all incoming international flights on their arrival in India irrespective of their port of departure.

December 28, 2022

Air India Express, India’s first international budget carrier that offers flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, has issued guidelines for the maintenance of Covid-appropriate behaviour by travellers travelling from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India. The guidelines include:

• All passengers from UAE should preferably be completely immunised as per the approved primary schedule of Covid vaccination. 
• All visitors should preferably use masks and follow physical distancing on flights/travel and at all points of entry.
• Post-arrival random testing is not required for children under the age of 12. However, if they have Covid-related symptoms upon arrival, they have to undergo testing in accordance with protocol. 

December 26, 2022

• On December 24, 2022, Indian Health Ministry announced that international arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand will have to mandatorily present RT-PCR test results . In case any passengers from these countries are symptomatic or test positive for Covid-19, they will be quarantined. 
• Economic Times reporting that Air Suvidha form filling to declare current health status will also be made compulsory for international passengers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.
• Times of India reporting that Qatar has reinstated visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility for Indian travellers , which were temporarily halted due to FIFA World Cup 2022 in the country. Indian nationals can get a free VOA in Qatar for a maximum stay of 30 days or as per the hotel reservation and under the following conditions: valid passport for at least six months, confirmed return tickets, and confirmed hotel reservation through ‘Discover Qatar’ website only.
• Times of India  reporting that effective from January 1, 2023 , Serbia has discontinued visa-free travel regulations for Indian citizens , keeping in line with the requirements of European Union (EU) visa policy and measures to control illegal migrants. 

December 23, 2022

New guidelines applicable for international arrivals from December 24, 2022: “All travelers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.” See here for the official Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notification issued December 22.

India will randomly test 2 percent of international travelers arriving in the country’s airports for COVID, with effect from Saturday (December 24) 10 am IST , as announced by Mansukh Mandaviya, Health Minister on Thursday December 21. Travelers will be allowed to leave the airport after submitting their sample. After the random testing, if found COVID-positive, the person’s sample shall be sent for genomic testing at a designated INSACOG laboratory network; reports shall be hared with Integrated Disease Surveillance Program at [email protected] by the concerned testing laboratory (besides sharing with the airport health organization APHOS) to be in turn shared with concerned state or union territory for further follow-up action.

• India is becoming increasingly cautious after a surge in cases recorded in neighboring China as well as in Brazil, US, Japan, and Korea, besides it being the ongoing holiday and festive season, which witnesses a jump in travel. In another move, visitors to the Taj Mahal (Agra, Uttar Pradesh state), will undergo a COVID-19 test before they enter, as per reporting from news agency ANI. While wearing masks are not currently mandatory in most parts of the country, it will likely be increasingly encouraged. For example, the southern state of Karnataka has made wearing masks mandatory indoors and in closed spaces in guidelines released December 22.

December 14, 2022

• DNA  reporting a travel advisory issued due to the ongoing chaos at Delhi international airport: “To ensure a quick security check, Air India has urged all travelers to bring just one piece of carry-on luggage and arrive at least 3.5 hours early.”
• Times of India  reporting that Hong Kong and Nigeria are among the latest to remove COVID-19 travel rules for international travelers. 
• Business Today  reporting that IndiGo has announced 32 connecting flights between India and Europe – flying to Milan, Manchester, Birmingham, Rome, and Venice – starting December 7, 2022. These international flights will operate in partnership with Turkish Airlines.

November 2022

• Times of India  reporting that Germany is relaxing visa appointment rules for Indian tourists. According to German Missions in the country, Indian travelers can book their visa appointment at any VFS global Visa Application Centre in major Indian cities and the Schengen visa can be applied for three months before the travel date. However, this relaxation does not apply to the D-visa category – students, employment, and family reunion visas, among others.
• New Air India flights announced between India and US, Europe ( Business Traveller ): – Air India is launching new flights connecting Mumbai with New York, Paris, and Frankfurt, and resuming non-stop flights connecting Delhi with Copenhagen, Milan, and Vienna. The new daily Mumbai-New York service to John F Kennedy International Airport will commence February 14, 2023, which will take Air India’s India-US frequency to 47 non-stop flights per week. – The new Air India flights from Delhi to Europe announced are: four weekly Delhi-Milan from February 1, 2023 and three weekly flights each on the Delhi-Vienna and Delhi-Copenhagen routes starting February 18 and March 1, 2023, respectively. – From Mumbai, new Air India flights are currently being planned to Paris* (thrice-weekly) and Frankfurt* (four weekly) from the next quarter. 
• India is discontinuing the Air Suvidha self-declaration form starting November 22, 2022. Passengers flying into India will no longer need to fill out the Air Suvidha form from November 21-22 midnight and will not need to take an RT-PCR COVID-19 test.

On November 14, the Canada  government concluded an expanded Canada-India Air Transport Agreement “to allow unlimited flights between both countries”. The announcement said: “The expanded agreement allows designated airlines to operate an unlimited number of flights between the two countries. The previous agreement limited each country to 35 flights per week. The new rights under the expanded agreement are available for use by airlines immediately. Money Control reports that this will give Canadian airlines access to the Indian cities of Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai while Indian airlines will receive access to Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, and Vancouver as well as two additional points (Canadian cities) selected by India. India is Canada’s fourth largest international air transport market and there are an estimated 1.5 million Indians living in Canada. Presently the only non-stop direct flights in this market are from Air India and Air Canada.

October 2022

The Financial Express  reports plans of Air India to add 20 weekly, non-stop flights to the US and UK between October and December. “With five additional flights a week to Birmingham, nine additional flights to London, and six additional flights a week to San Francisco, Air India said it will be able to offer over 5,000 additional seats every week.” Soon there will be seven Indian cities offering direct Air India flights to London.

September 2022

• No new updates were made to the “Risk Levels” and “Safety and Security” sections of the Canadian government’s travel advisory for India: The Hindu report .
• Hong Kong is lifting compulsory quarantine requirement for arrivals starting from September 26. There will be three days of medical surveillance during which inbound persons are free to go out but are obliged to comply with Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass, followed by a four-day self-monitoring period, making it a 7-day observation period in total, as per the Hong Kong government’s notification .
• Taiwan will end mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving in the country from October 13 as per reporting from Reuters . Speaking to the media, Taiwan’s Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng stated that from September 29, visa-free entry will be resumed for overseas travelers that previously enjoyed that status. Under its ‘New Taiwan Model’, the government is set to increase weekly arrival limits for international travelers to 60,000 from 10,000 and will not require PCR tests for arrivals. If the pandemic situation is stable, the country will end quarantine from around October 13 and increase the weekly arrival limit to 150,000.
• Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced travel relaxations in Japan while in New York for the UN General Assemebly session. “… from 11 October, Japan will relax border control measures to be on par with the US, as well as resume visa-free travel and individual travel.”  BBC  reports that the cap on daily arrivals will also be lifted.
• Fiji removed its COVID-19 test requirements for international travelers from September 5, 2022.
• Media is reporting that Indians traveling to Indonesia can fast track their visa applications on arriving in Jakarta as VFS Global has reached an exclusive agreement with the Indonesian Immigrant Department.
• See India’s guidelines for international arrivals – dated September 2, 2022 – which came in effect the next day. The document provides protocols to be complied by international travelers as well as those to be followed by airlines and all points of entry (airports, seaports, and land border). 
• International flights resumed operations starting September 3, in Guwahati’s (Assam state) Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA), after a gap of two years. In the next few months, officials speaking to the  Hindustan Times said that the LGBIA airport will start flights from Guwahati to Yangon (Myanmar), Kathmandu (Nepal), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hanoi (Vietnam), and Bangkok (Thailand).

January – August, 2022

• Airlines and travel agents in India have to share details of international travelers with the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBIC) 24 hours before departure and arrival. The information will be provided to the National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger (NCTC). While this rule had been proposed five years ago, to combat tax avoidance and tax evasion, the government has only now developed a regulatory framework to implement this. India is among 60 countries collecting such details of international passengers. The Ministry of Finance issued the notification on August 8, 2022, as per media reports .
• China no longer requires COVID test information for international arrivals from August 31, 2022 : On Thursday, August 25, 2022, China’s General Administration of Customs released  a new health declaration form for international arrivals, which removes the requirement for visitors to report their nucleic acid test results, infection status, and vaccination dates. This ninth version of the health declaration form will be implemented starting from August 31, 2022, and international visitors can report their health status online by filling out a form on the related WeChat account or webpage. Some  media  interpret that with this update, the current entry requirement, that is, the requirement to have international passengers take two PCR tests for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure, the second of which must be within 24 hours of their departure — will be lifted.  However, considering that China is still sticking to its dynamic zero-COVID strategy, we recommend that international travelers double-check with their flight companies for further information.
• The Chinese Embassy in India has updated its “ Application Procedures and Material Requirements of China Visa “, to be implemented from August 24, 2022. See here for the list of requirements and procedures for various types of Chinese visas, including the M-Visa (commercial and trade activities) and the X1-Visa (long-term study): http://in.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/qz/202208/t20220822_10748221.htm 
• The  Business Standard  noted in a report that China was working to facilitate the return of foreign students, including from India, who have been stuck due to the COVID-19 visa restriction. The paper quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin who told media that the Chinese side were working intensively for the return of foreign students to China. In updated comments on the foreign ministry website, Wenbin said: “We are confident in seeing the return of the first group of Indian students in the near future. Building on that, the Chinese side will further proceed with the return of other Indian students in a well thought-out and orderly manner.”
• India’s domestic air fare caps will end from August 31, as the civil aviation regulator DGCA rolls back restrictions imposed in 2020. This minimum to maximum price band had been introduced to avoid sky high ticket prices due to pent up demand in the domestic travel market. 
• India’s passport offers visa-free access to 60 countries , including Bhutan, Nepal, Macao, Oman, Qatar, and Fiji. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, published by immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, India’s passport ranked 87th. India had ranked 90th in Q3 and Q4 in 2021. The latest index is topped by Japan, whose passport offers visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea and Singapore (at 192 countries each), and Germany and Spain (190). As per reporting by the Hindustan Times: Indians have ‘visa-on-arrival’ access in Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka as well as 21 countries in Africa.
• Speaking at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, promised to relax restrictions on international travel in an “orderly” way , which would include facilitating the return of foreign students to rejoin Chinese colleges. Around 500,000 foreign students are enrolled at universities in China, including 23,000 Indians. Li said: “All international students may return to China to continue their studies should they so wish, and outbound commerce and trade activities and cross-border travel for labor services will be advanced in an orderly fashion.” The comments were made during a Special Virtual Dialogue with Global Business Leaders hosted by the forum. Foreign diplomatic missions in China are presently trying to speed up the process to facilitate the return of international students to China. While this is now in a small-scale trial mode, any large-scale opening can be expected only when the country’s epidemic outbreaks slow down.
• Competent authorities in China and India are communicating on securing the resumption of flights and to bring back the first group of Indian students to China at the earliest as reported in  The Economic Times.
• Bhutan is allowing travelers into the country from September 23, 2022 – after a two-year gap. Tourists from India should note the levy of a sustainable development fee (SDF), charged at 1,200 ngultrums (approx. INR 1200) per day; children between the age of six and 12 are charged INR 600 per day and no fee is charged from children below the age of five. The SDF fee is not applicable everywhere – there are exemptions to the levy in 11 districts in the less popular Eastern Bhutan region, until December 2024. 
• India is working to roll out e-passports as per its external affairs minister S. Jaishankar. The minister also informed that the Passport Seva System had been integrated with the DigiLocker system to facilitate paperless documentation. Jaishankar added: “The Ministry in collaboration with the Department of Posts operationalized 428 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) to reach out to our citizens at their doorsteps. The Ministry has successfully integrated the passport issuance systems in 178 of our Embassies and Consulates abroad.” 
• Saudi Arabia has lifted COVID-related travel restrictions on citizens travelling to India, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Vietnam and is accepting pilgrims for the forthcoming annual Hajj season, The Hindu  reports June 20, 2022. The requirement to wear face masks in closed places has also been relaxed.
• China has updated its visa policy for Indians , including Indian professionals and students. China will accept visa applications of foreign nationals and their accompanying family members seeking to return to China for resumption of work in all fields. Visas for tourism and private purposes remain suspended. The details of over 12,000 Indian students have reportedly been forwarded to the Chinese government for visa processing. (Over 23,000 Indian students – mostly enrolled in medical colleges in China – had to return to India and were stuck during the last few years due to the coronavirus pandemic, which first broke out December 2019.) However, China is yet to announce resumption of normal flight facilities between the two countries.
• The US does not require arriving international travelers to take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights to the country from June 12, Sunday. “As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more information, see Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country .”
• Media reports say the DGCA has made masks mandatory at Indian airports and during flights. India recorded 7,240 new cases in 24 hours [ June 9 MoHFW update], the highest since March.
• On Wednesday, June 8, India’s aviation regulator DGCA announced fresh guidelines for COVID-appropriate behavior. The wearing of masks is now mandatory inside the flight / throughout the air travel , and mask removal is permitted only under exceptional circumstances. Violators could be treated as ‘unruly passengers’ and removed from the flight before departure. This is in line with a Delhi High Court order, which stipulates that violators can be put on ‘no fly list’. 
• India’s  overall passenger traffic  (both domestic and international) at airports reached 93 percent of pre-COVID levels in May 2022. International passenger traffic reached 63 percent and 72 percent of pre-COVID levels in April and May, respectively. Recovery of domestic travel reached 98 percent of pre-COVID levels in May 2022.
• Turkey has relaxed all the conditions for Indian travelers entering the country, Turkiye Tourism Board said on Monday, June 6.​​ Now, Indian travelers no longer have to show proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from COVID-29 or negative RT-PCR test report.
• The United States Embassy in India has tweeted (8.23pm, May 29): “The US Mission to India is pleased to announce that we are resuming routine in-person tourist visa appointments in September 2022. Previously scheduled placeholders have now been cancelled. Applicants whose placeholder appointments were cancelled may now reenter the scheduling system to book regular appointments. Appointments have been opened through 2023.”
• Media reports say that Israel has removed COVID-19-linked travel requirements for foreign visitors, such as presenting a negative RT-PCR test prior to departure, undergoing an RT-PCR test upon arrival, and quarantine observation.
• Livemint reports: “Malaysia Airlines will add new routes, increase frequencies and upgrade aircraft to cater to the Indian market, which remains a key geography for the airline.”
• Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from travelling to sixteen countries, including India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, after the Gulf state has recorded a five-fold rise in COVID-19 cases. News18 reports : “Saudi Arabia’s General Department of Passports dropped several Covid-19 restrictions towards the end of last year but are now reimposing some of them as Covid-19 cases are being reported from various parts of the world and China and North Korea bearing the brunt of the Omicron variant which is leading to fresh cases.”
• Indian announced on May 12 that citizens planning to travel abroad are now eligible to get a third (booster/precaution) dose of vaccine three months after their second dose. The rules otherwise stipulate a nine-month gap between the second dose and booster shot. 
• Scoot, the budget airline from Singapore Airlines Group, has launched daily flight services between Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) and Singapore, up from three times a week. As per reporting by The Hindu  [April 27, 2022], Scoot has a network of 42 destinations in 16 countries and territories, including Australia and Southeast Asia.
• VietJet has announced that it will resume operations of six flights – on the Delhi-Hanoi route and Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City route from April 29, 2022. New flights have also been added by VietJet on the Mumbai-Phu Quoc route and New Delhi-Phu Quoc route, which are scheduled to start from September 9, 2022.
• Hong Kong has banned Air India flights till April 24 due to COVID-19 as three passengers on board one of its flights had reportedly tested positive on arrival.
• On April 11,  Times of India  reported that fully vaccinated passengers from the UAE traveling to India will not necessarily require a pre-departure RT-PCR test at the airport. The move is on a reciprocity basis. However, UAE travelers will need to fill out the passenger locator form on the Air Suvidha portal – same as travelers from any other destination visiting India. Also, travelers need to upload their COVID-19 vaccination certificate onto the Air Suvidha portal.
• Scheduled international flight services have resumed from Sunday, March 27, 2022 after being suspended for two years due to COVID-19. Starting March 27, six Indian airlines and 60 foreign airlines will connect India with 63 countries . Under the new summer schedule (March 27 to October 29), foreign airlines will operate 1,783 weekly flights and Indian carriers will operate 1,466 departures every week. Among domestic airlines, IndiGo will operate 505 departures per week, followed by Tata Group-owned Air India at 361 weekly flights and its subsidiary Air India Express will operate 340 flights per week.
• From the  Indian Express : More international airlines add flights to India : “Emirates said… it will be operating the 35 weekly flights from Mumbai, 28 from Delhi, 24 from Bengaluru, 21 each from Chennai and Hyderabad, 14 from Kochi, 11 from Kolkata, nine from Ahmedabad and seven from Thiruvananthapuram.”
• On March 21, 2022, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced  that from April 1, the Government will lift the flight ban on nine countries (i.e., Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK, the USA, and Nepal)  and cut the hotel quarantine period for arrivals. Currently, passenger aircraft from these nine countries are not allowed to land in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive also announced the preconditions for boarding a flight to Hong Kong and the COVID-19 control and prevention measures to be implemented upon arrival. Given this, there are  comments  saying that traveling to Hong Kong will not get much easier even after the ban is lifted. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. plans just one inbound flight every two weeks for fear to be subjected to the city’s 14-day ban on airlines that carry too many passengers found to be infected with COVID-19.
• Singapore announced it is lifting restrictions for all vaccinated travelers from next week. According to officials, from April 1, fully vaccinated adults and unvaccinated children will be allowed to enter Singapore without quarantining, if they take a pre-departure test . Only travelers on a ‘restricted list’ will face curbs in entering Singapore; as of March 24, 2022 – there are no countries on this list.
• On March 21, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) announced relaxed COVID-19-related regulations. NDTV reports MoCA saying “cabin crew members need not wear PPE kit, airlines need not keep three seats vacant on international flights for medical emergencies and security personnel at airports can resume pat-down search of passengers.” However, the use of face mask and maintenance of hand hygiene/sanitizer continues to be mandatory . Airlines may carry additional PPE protective gear, sanitizers, and N-95 masks to handle any respiratory infections related to cases on air – for passengers as well as the crew.
• Cochin International Airport announces summer schedule (March 27 to October 29) with 1,190 weekly operations (international and domestic flights). 20 airlines will operate flights to destinations abroad (including 16 international carriers). Indigo has the most weekly departures to international destinations (42) and Air India Express accounts for 38 weekly departure operations. Other prominent carriers are Air Asia Berhad, Ethihad, Emirates, Oman Air, Qatar Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Thai Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, Gulf Air, and Fly Dubai. 44 weekly departures are scheduled for Dubai, followed by Abu Dhabi with 42. Air India Express will continue its weekly operations to London and Thai Air Asia will resume Kochi operations in June, with 4 weekly direct flights to Bangkok. Source:  The Hindu Business Line
• Useful Quick Links from the Air India portal: – Official Circular on Restoration of Indian Visa (E-Tourist Visa and Tourist Visa) for Foreign Tourists   – Circular For Generating and Accessing International Digital Covid 19 Vaccination Certificate – International Travel Advisories
• Singapore Airlines Group press release: All Singapore Airlines flights from India to Singapore will operate as vaccinated travel lane (VTL) services from March 16, 2022. This will provide eligible customers with quarantine-free entry into Singapore from eight points across India. Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, will also progressively convert its non-VTL services from Amritsar, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchi, and Visakhapatnam to VTL services. Short-term visitors and Singapore work-permit holders who seek to avail VTL services must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) prior to their visa application. VTP applications should be made between three and 60 calendar days before the person’s intended date of entry into Singapore. Travelers must ensure their eligibility to use the VTL services before their flight. 
• Regular international flights to resume March 27, 2022 after two years suspension. This is the start of the summer schedule 2022.
• Economic Times reporting “ Global travel shedding Covid baggage as several nations ease restrictions for Indians “. 
• India has once again extended its ban on regular commercial international passenger flights – until further orders – as per a circular dated February 28, 2022 issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Flights under air bubble arrangements and international cargo flights will continue.
• On February 28, 2022 , the Indian government updated its “ List of Countries/Regions in respect of which primary vaccination schedule completion certificate is allowed to be uploaded ” on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website: see document here . There are 88 countries now on this list . (The Union health ministry has removed the at-risk categorization of countries.) 
• India and Thailand have finalized an air bubble arrangement, bringing the total number of such bilateral flight agreements to 37. Airline carriers between India and Thailand will begin operating flights starting in March, which will be subject to approval from the government. Thai Airways will commence flights between India and Thailand starting March 1 under this air bubble. Travelers should note the health protocols and the respective schedules of approved flights between Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Bangkok. Meanwhile, on February 25, SpiceJet announced it will launch six new international flights to Bangkok, commencing from March 10 in a phased manner. SpiceJet plans to launch flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata with Bangkok. India reportedly has plans to reopen its regular international travel from March 15, but this is still a tentative date.
• Singapore, UAE, and Kuwait have updated their travel guidelines and COVID-prevention protocols for travelers from India. See here to know more.
• The Airport Authority of India has updated its state-wise guidelines for arriving passengers – by region. The PDF links may be accessed here: COVID Guidelines India Northern Region 14-02-2022 COVID Guidelines India Western Region 21.02.2022 COVID Guidelines India Southern Region 22-02-20212 COVID Guidelines India Eastern Region 18-02-2022 COVID Guidelines India North East Region 17-02-2022
• Dubai ends rapid RT-PCR rules for Indian travelers. Under the new rules , travelers from India have to produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued by an approved health service provider and generated 48 hours before scheduled departure of the flight. Passengers will undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Dubai. Transit passengers will be expected to follow rules governing entry at their final destination.
• It is being reported in The Economic Times that the aviation ministry has requested approval from the health ministry to allow resumption of international flights from mid-March. Reason cited by unnamed government source is that domestic traffic has rebounded.
• The government has removed restrictions on the number of flights that can be operated between India and Ukraine under their bilateral air bubble arrangement to facilitate travel of Indians from the eastern European country. India has advised its citizens to temporarily leave Ukraine amid its deteriorating relations with Russia.
• Indian media are reporting that the government is soon to make a decision on whether regular international flights can resume in the summer (March/April). It is being reported by The Economic Times that the aviation ministry has set an internal target of resuming international flight services once domestic airlines capacity touches 80% of pre-COVID flights. (Domestic airlines operated over 2,800 flights before the pandemic struck in 2020; as of February 13, they operated 2,058 flights. To reach the 80% mark, this number has to exceed 2,200.)
• No testing or mandatory quarantine required for international travelers from February 14, 2022: On February 10, India revised guidelines for international arrivals, which will come into effect February 14, 2022 (Monday, 00.01 Hrs IST). The new guidelines remove the category of ‘at risk’ countries and has scrapped the seven-day mandatory quarantine. Instead, India’s health authorities recommend self-monitoring of 14 days for symptoms . The Union Health Ministry stated that there is “need to monitor the continuously changing” COVID-19 virus but accepted that “economic activities need to be taken up in an unhindered manner”. As per the latest guidelines, all foreign arrivals have to fill a self-declaration form online (Air Suvidha web portal), including a travel history of the past 14 days. They must also upload a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours of the departure date. Alternatively, they can upload a certificate confirming that they are fully vaccinated. This alternative option is only available for passengers arriving from the 72 countries whose vaccination program are recognized by the Indian government. They include Canada, Hong Kong, USA, UK, Bahrain, Qatar, Australia, New Zealand, and some European countries. See here for the official notification on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare portal.
• Australia will reopen its borders for international tourists from February 21 , subject to conditions. The move comes after almost two years of pandemic-linked travel restrictions. Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while making the announcement: “The condition is you must be double vaccinated to come to Australia. That’s the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it.” However, travelers to Australia should note the state-wise rules and restrictions.
• Vietnam reported to reopen for tourism, welcome foreign travelers from March 15, 2022. See here for information pertaining to travel to Vietnam .
• On February 5, Bali reopened its borders for international travelers and resumed direct international flights. See here for information on travel to Indonesia .
• On February 4, the state of Kerala released revised guidelines for international travelers. ( See here for the official notification by the Kerala government.) Any international traveler coming to Kerala, irrespective of their duration of stay, must undergo symptom surveillance. If they are found symptomatic, they must undertake an RT-PCR test at cost at the airport and take further action as per the test results. The revised rules advise home quarantine for international travelers who do not show symptoms; they must self-monitor their health for 7 days from the date of arrival and undergo testing if they develop symptoms. Rapid Antigen Test is advised on the 8th day after arrival. There will be random testing of 2% of international travelers on the flight, irrespective of the country of departure, and the costs will be borne by the Kerala state government. 
• Singapore Airlines has restarted the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) with India. VTL flights allow quarantine-free travel into Singapore. There are VTL flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai into Singapore. (Singapore has also restarted its vaccinated travel lane with Malaysia.) Passengers should note that there are limited flights and reduced seat quota on these routes.
• The West Bengal state government announced on January 31, that it is rolling back its ban on all international direct flights coming from the United Kingdom to Kolkata.
• Indians who are fully vaccinated can reportedly travel to these seven countries: UK, Thailand, Singapore, Cyprus, Vietnam, Israel, and Saint Lucia in the Caribbean.
• Canada has relaxed COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers from India, starting January 28, 2022. People traveling on direct flights or on a one-stop flight from India do not have to show a negative RT-PCR test done at the Delhi airport within 18 hours of their departure. However, Canada still requires travelers from India to show an RT-PCR test report from an ICMR-approved lab . Fully vaccinated travelers must upload their relevant details onto the ArriveCAN app or website. 
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs – Guidelines for International Arrivals – Quick Access to Documents: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf 
• India has extended the ban on scheduled international commercial flights to 23:59 February 28, 2022: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This ban does not apply to international all-cargo operations and the DGCA-approved flights. The notification was released by the DGCA on January 19, 2022.
• Hong Kong bars flights from India, U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, Pakistan, and Philippines over Omicron fears, reports The Hindu (Jan.5, 2022).
• Countries reported to be requiring mandatory vaccine booster shots for travelers include Kuwait, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Austria, Greece, and Israel. 
• Gulf News is reporting that India is currently making a “day to day” assessment on the resumption of normal international flights. “One has to balance the concerns of public safety and travel,” said Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, Government of India. “We will take very expeditious action as and when things improve and the assessment is carried out. I’m hopeful that [full] international travel will resume soon.”
• Starting January 1, 2022, India’s air bubble arrangement with Saudi Arabia will be in effect. 
• India has reached an air bubble agreement with Australia. According to reporting from Livemint : “Australian airline Qantas has recently started flights between Sydney and New Delhi. The airline is also set to start flights between New Delhi and Melbourne before Christmas. Air India also operated direct commercial flights connecting New Delhi with Melbourne and Sydney before scheduled international flights were suspended by the Indian government. Air India flights between India and Australia will resume in coming days, said a senior official with the airline.”
• As of December 7, 2021 , India’s Civil Aviation and Health Ministry has made contactless self-declaration at Air Suvidha Portal mandatory for purpose of contact tracing. Exemption forms from the Air Suvidha portal has been discontinued. All international passengers arriving in India must fill in all the details.
• 108 countries recognize India’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate for travel purpose as per data available on December 6, 2021 .

Commercial international flights were suspended in India since March 25, 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Travel restrictions have begun to be gradually relaxed from October 2021.

Below we highlight the latest guidelines for international travel to and from India.

Latest updates

Status of india’s international air operations.

• On March 8, an order from the government confirmed resumption of regular international flights from March 27, 2022 . “After being recognized the increase of vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from March 27, 2022, ie [that is] start of the summer schedule 2022,” said the order. India had suspended international flights for the first time in March 2020 and began operating air bubble arrangements since July 2020. 
• As of February 28, 2022, India has extended its suspension of scheduled international flights “till further orders”. 
• India rolled back its intention to resume normal international flight schedules from December due to the emergence of the Omicron COVID variant. On December 9, 2021, the civil aviation regulator announced announced the postponement of international scheduled commercial flights till February 28, 2022. Air bubble and evacuation flights schedules, approved flights, and air cargo will function.

India releases periodic guidelines for international passengers coming into India based on the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergence of regional variants and their threat assessment. The latest travel guidelines for international arrivals to India were released on February 10, 2022 (and supersede previous notifications): https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf

• The Air Suvidha portal for submission of Self Declaration Form, which is mandatory: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration 

For evacuation flight schedule Phase 14 (October 1, 2021 to March 26, 2022), see Air India Vande Bharat Mission here (download PDF): https://www.airindia.in/images/pdf/VBM-schedule-dtd-30sep2021-PHASE14.pdf . The evacuation mission has been in place since May 7, 2020. For destinations operated under air bubble arrangement Phase 13 ( September 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021), click here for PDF download .

• As of April 15, 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has restored electronic visa (e-visa) facility for foreigners from 156 countries. The e-visa facility is applicable for international tourists who wish to visit India for conferences, medical purposes, or business. The e-visa also extends to medical attendants.

Air Transport Bubbles

India has also established “Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements”, which are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal in nature, meaning airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.

The details of such arrangements were last updated in February 2022.

India now has 37 air bubble arrangements in place: Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA, and Uzbekistan.

More details can be seen on the government website here: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/about-air-transport-bubbles 

• Full service carrier Vistara has started non-stop flight services to Paris from Delhi under the air bubble agreement between India and Europe, according to reporting from The Economic Times . Under the air bubble pact, Vistara’s Boeing 787-9 (Dreamliner) aircraft will fly twice a week between Delhi and Paris – on Wednesday and Sunday. London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, and Male are the other international destinations covered by Vistara, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.
• The US will be lifting travel restrictions on foreign countries from November 8, Monday. Travelers must show proof of vaccination (WHO-approved vaccines); unvaccinated minors will be subject to testing requirements; and all travelers will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before departure to the US. See here for Reuters coverage of the changing rules.
• Air India will offer non-stop flights between Delhi and Sydney starting November 15, 2021. Air India will operate the thrice-a-week service on the Delhi-Sydney-Delhi route under the Vande Bharat Mission. Australia has also formally recognized Covaxin, India’s COVID-19 vaccine.
• India’s new visa norms stipulate that visas will be granted to foreigners only if they use water and air routes, not land routes. The Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed the gradual resumption of international travel to start from October 15, 2021 and tourist and e-visas will be issued for only a single entry per month. From November 15, all individual foreign nationals (on fresh tourist visas) will be allowed to enter India after observing prevailing COVID-19 protocols as notified by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. 
• The Union Home Ministry announced on Thursday that India will allow foreign tourists traveling by chartered flights (Vande Bharat and air bubble flights) from October 15, rest from November 15, 2021. Foreigner tourists will be allowed to come in on non-charter flights from November 15 unless the extended restrictions on scheduled flights is substantially lifted. See the Home Ministry’s press briefing here  and reporting by the Economic Times here .
• The Hindustan Times reporting on October 2 : “Australia’s visiting trade and tourism minister Dan Tehan said foreign students will be able to start “returning towards the end of this year and the beginning of next year”, ahead of the start of the first semester in February-March 2022. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia listed Covishield and China’s Coronavac (Sinovac) as “recognised vaccines” after an initial assessment of data on protection offered by the two jabs.”
• CoWin, India’s digital platform for COVID-19 vaccination, is allowing travelers to download an international version of their COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which is compliant with WHO’s international travel guidelines. This feature went live on September 30, 2021, and allows fully vaccinated individuals to update their existing photo identity to passport number and date of birth to get their International Travel Certificate. See website: https://www.cowin.gov.in/
• The Indian Bureau of Immigration noted the specific categories of foreign nationals who are permitted to enter India by water routes or by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission, or ‘Air Bubble’ (Bilateral Air Travel Arrangements) Scheme, or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in its notice MHA O.M. No.25022/24/2020-F.V/F.I dated October 21, 2020. See here for reference.
• Air India has said it will run direct services between Muscat and Vijayawada “once a week or thrice from the first week of July”. The Vijayawada International Airport resumed international flights to Gulf destinations, such as Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat in June, to Singapore in April.
• Budget carrier Air India Express will operate a total of 64 flights between Malaysia and India in July under Vande Bharat Mission. More below.
• Foreign nationals who wish to travel to India for medical treatment can apply for a fresh visa under this category and choose one attendant to accompany them as per the visa category provisions (that is, if the original applicant has their medical visa approved).
• On October 8, 2020, India’s civil aviation authority said the future of international flights will depend on the availability of a vaccine, hinting at the extension of air travel bubble arrangements into March-April next year.
• Low-cost carrier SpiceJet announces its new flight operations connecting Delhi and Mumbai with London, starting December 4, which will come under the India-UK air bubble agreement.
• New standard operating protocol announced August 22, 2020 for non-scheduled commercial flights under the repatriation scheme, Vande Bharat Mission, and Air Transport Bubble Agreements.

(Note: This article was originally published on August 4, 2020 and last updated on February 10, 2023.)

India Briefing  is produced by  Dezan Shira & Associates . The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in  Delhi  and  Mumbai . Readers may write to   [email protected]  for business support in India.

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How to Apply for a China Visa — a Step-by-Step Guide

From December 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2024, visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, and Malaysia can stay in China for up to 15 days without a visa for travel, business, transit, or visiting friends and family.

Starting March 14th, travelers from Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland can also enjoy this visa-free entry.

How to Apply for a China Visa

Planning to visit China, but don't know how to apply for a China visa? We're breaking it down for you with our step by step guide, follow the steps and get your China visa efficiently.

The visa information we provide is for reference only. We are a travel agency. If you book a trip with us, we can provide you with the invitation letter when applying for a tourist visa.

1. Find out if you need a visa

The first thing is to check whether you need a visa or not. You usually need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet one of China's visa-free policies . 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit offer great convenience if you have a layover in China.

2. Find out which visa you need.

There are many types of China visa. Choose a visa type that applies to your situation. If you are planning to go on a vacation in China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).

3. Prepare the required documents.

The following list of documents are required for any China visa application:

• A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
• A complete visa application form (The visa application form can be downloaded from the Chinese embassy website or from our website. You complete it by computer, print and sign it. In some countries such as UK you should complete an online form . On the form, you might find an item "Serial number of invitation letter of the authorized organization", you may skip this item if you don't have an invitation letter, or the invitation letter is not of this type.)
• A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48mmx33mm)

Along with the aforementioned generally required documents, several additional documents are required depending upon the type of China visa applied for.

For instance, if you are applying for a tourist L visa , you need to prepare an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency. ( An invitation letter could be provided by us without extra charge if a China tour of 3 days or more is booked .)

An invitation letter can replace the air ticket and hotel booking if you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China and can't provide the hotel confirmation, or if your travel is being organized by a travel agency (or other duly authorized organization) in China . We can provide you with the invitation letter if you book a tour with us.

4. Submit the application.

You may submit the application to the Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or China Visa Application Service Centers (also called CVASC) if they are operating in your country.

Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries (including the U.S., the UK, and Canada) have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected .

The regular service processing time is 4 days, and the rushed service takes about 1 day. The latter is only available in extreme emergencies pending a consular officer's approval.

5. Pay the fee and collect your visa.

Go to the place where you apply for China visa, pay the fee and collect your visa.

The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. Here we listed China visa price for some countries for your reference. It may change based on the updated policies.

The fees shown in the table are only for the cost of visa. If you apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the service fee and tax are required.

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When to Apply for a Visa

It is important to get your visa early, but not too early because it is only valid for 90/180 days for single/double-entry visas from the issue date.

It is usually recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel .

Apply for Special Permits, If Necessary.

If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need to get a Tibet Travel Permit from a Chinese travel agency. As a travel agency based in China for more than 20 years, we can help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

Check the most popular Tibet tours .

Apply for China Visa in Hong Kong

If you are already in Hong Kong and want to visit Chinese mainland, it is possible to get a China visa in Hong Kong. Read our step-by-step guide .

Tailor-Making a Private China Tour

China Highlights is your China tour tailor-making expert. See the recommended tours below for inspiration or check out our ideas and suggestion on How to Plan Your China Tour .

• 8-Day Shanghai - Xian - Beijing Private Tour - China's Ancient and Modern Collision
• 13-Day Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Hangzhou - Suzhou – Shanghai Private Tour - Riches of China
• 13-Day Private Tour: Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai A Close Encounter with Pandas - China Essence and Panda Tour
• 12-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Shanghai Tour for Your Summer Vacation
• 9-Day Beyond the Golden Triangle
• Best China Tours 2024/2025: Top Tours for First & Return Trips
• 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery
• How to Plan Your First Trip to China 2024/2025 — 7 Easy Steps
• 15 Best Places to Visit in China (2024)
• How to Plan a 10-Day Itinerary in China (Best 5 Options)
• 2-Week China Itineraries: Where to Go & Routes (2024)
• China Weather in January 2024: Enjoy Less-Crowded Traveling
• China Weather in February 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
• China Weather in March 2024: Destinations, Crowds, and Costs
• China Weather in April 2024: Where to Go (Smart Pre-Season Pick)
• China Weather in May 2024: Where to Go, Crowds, and Costs
• China Weather in June 2024: How to Benefit from the Rainy Season
• China Weather in July 2024: How to Avoid Heat and Crowds
• China Weather in August 2024: Weather Tips & Where to Go
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India, China Should Urgently Address 'Prolonged Situation' on Borders, Modi Says

India, China Should Urgently Address 'Prolonged Situation' on Borders, Modi Says

FILE PHOTO: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping attend the BRICS summit meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India and China should urgently address the "prolonged situation" on their border, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in remarks published on Wednesday, in an apparent softening of tone on bilateral issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

"It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us," Modi said in an interview with U.S. publication Newsweek.

Ties between India and China, who share a long mountainous border, have been strained since troops of both countries clashed on their disputed Himalayan frontier, killing 24 soldiers, in 2020.

In May last year, Modi said peace on the border was essential for normal relations with China, adding that India was committed to protecting its sovereignty and dignity.

Internal security and strong foreign policy are two planks Modi has used as he campaigns for a record third term, in a general election that gets under way next week and will span nearly two months.

"For India, the relationship with China is important and significant," Modi said, adding that peaceful relations between the two neighbours were important for the entire region and world.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400 mile) border - much of it poorly demarcated - over which they also fought a bloody war in 1962.

(Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Editing by William Maclean)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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India-China Border Situation Needs To Be Addressed Urgently: PM Modi | Read

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