Due to the epidemic, many international students are unable to return to China to continue their studies, and the control in China is also very strict. However, with the changes in the epidemic, China's entry policy for foreigners is also changing at any time. So, what is the latest entry policy for foreigners in China? Please see below for details. 

Current Epidemic Prevention Policy for Foreigners During COVID-19

1. What preparations are required for foreigners to enter China?

The necessary materials to enter China are a passport, the results of two nucleic acid tests, and a 7-day body temperature self-check form. Among them, 2 nucleic acid test reports must be tested in two different testing institutions, and the qualifications of the testing institutions must be verified. This can be checked online, or you can ask the testing agency whether it meets the requirements (It depends on the specific requirements of each country).

You must also obtain an international health code, which must be green before you can board the plane. There are three chances to fill in the information according to the prompt. You cannot fill in randomly, the information is incorrect, the health code is not green, and you cannot board the plane.

Arriving at the airport, there is a mandatory customs clearance code to apply. When you are in China, you will need to use this code once after you get off the plane. When you arrive at the airport, you need to connect to the airport's Wi-Fi. The staff will prompt you to fill in the customs clearance code. You can follow the prompts. If you don't know how to ask the staff, you need to fill in the boarding seat number. This will wait for the customs staff to weigh your luggage for you. after verifying your identity and giving you the ticket, you can fill it out.

After doing this, you can board the plane smoothly. You must go to the airport in advance to line up, because there are too many people, and you have to apply for a customs clearance code at the airport. If you are not skilled, the boarding time will be delayed. 

2. Entry isolation policy

On the other hand, the policy of entry quarantine is also gradually being relaxed, and the quarantine time will be shortened. On June 28, 2022, the National Health and Medical Commission issued a notice on the issuance of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Prevention and Control Plan (Ninth Edition):

Adjusted the isolation and control time for close contacts and inbound personnel from "14 days of centralized isolation medical observation + 7 days of home health monitoring" to "7 days of centralized isolation medical observation + 3 days of home health monitoring (Notice on Printing and Distributing the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Prevention and Control Plan (Ninth Edition).

It should be noted that although international flights have increased and the entry quarantine policy has been relaxed, the current epidemic situation is still relatively severe. Before and after boarding, everyone must pay attention to comply with local epidemic prevention requirements and conduct nucleic acid testing and antigen self-testing and isolation according to regulations. 

Current Policies of Different Countries on Visas to China

India's latest policy

(1) Foreign nationals and their accompanying family members go to China to the resumption of work and production in all fields.

(2) The family members of Chinese citizens and foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permits go to China for a family reunion or visiting relatives.

"Family members" refers to spouse, parents, spouse’s parents, children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.

Note 1: Visa applications are temporarily suspended for tourism and other private purposes.

Note 2: Visa applications continue to be processed for foreign nationals and their accompanying family members who will engage in diplomatic, official activities in China or meet the conditions of the courtesy visa, foreign crew members, and foreign nationals going to China for humanitarian reasons, such as attending a funeral or visiting family members with the critical disease (Notice on Updating China Visa Policy).

Pakistan's latest policy

a. Foreign nationals with diplomatic, official, and crew activities purposes can apply for diplomatic, official, courtesy, and C visas accordingly.

b. Foreign nationals who come to China for work and production resumption activities (work, business, visit, etc.) and their accompanying family members.

c. Family members coming to China for a funeral or visiting critically ill relatives, reunion or visiting relatives ("Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, siblings, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters, and parents-in-law.)

Suspension of entry:

a. Holder of a valid visa issued before 26 March 2020.

b. Foreign nationals holding APEC business travel cards.

c. 24/72/144-hour transit visa-free.

d. Visa-free entry to Hainan province.

e. Visa-free entry for Shanghai cruise.

f. Holder of a valid study residence permit (Notice on Updated Requirements for China Visa Application)

Sri Lanka's latest policy

(1) Foreign nationals who go to China for resumption of operation and production and their family members, including spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, parents-in-law, and adult children, spouses of adult children, unmarried partners who need to go to China.

(2) Family members of Chinese citizens or relatives of foreign nationals with permanent residence status in China, including spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.

(3) Foreign nationals engaged in crew activities.

(4) Foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents.

(5) Foreign nationals who go to China for funerals or visits to critically ill relatives.

(6) Foreign nationals bearing valid Invitation Letters (PU or TE) issued by Chinese national or central government institutions, provincial foreign affairs offices or commerce departments, central enterprises, or foreign affairs departments of municipal governments, can apply for the corresponding type of visa.

Note:

1. Visa applications related to travel, medical treatment, or other personal affairs are still suspended currently.

2. Holders of valid residence permits for work, personal affairs, journalists, and reunion do not need to apply for visas (Notice Regarding Adjustments in Chinese Visa Application Procedures)

Policy Prediction about Arriving in China for International Students During the COVID-19

1. Double nucleic acid test report within 48 hours (persons with previous infection history also need to submit 2 nucleic acid test reports to prove recovery)

All international students going to China by flight should undergo a "double nucleic acid" test within 48 hours before boarding, and the last nucleic acid test should be within 24 hours before boarding.

The two samplings of "dual nucleic acid" should be separated by more than 24 hours and should be tested in different testing institutions using two different reagents.

2. Proof of vaccination

3. Apply for health care code

4.centralized isolation medical observation + home health monitoring

With the gradual improvement of the epidemic situation, a large number of visas to China are gradually being released. Although the study visa is not yet open, I believe that international students will soon be able to come to China (How Will China Open Its Border for International Students in 2022: 5 Possible Ways).