We Got a Vaccine Passport— Here’s How You Can Get One Too

Original Nicola Licata theBeijinger 2021-10-18

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As more and more people around the world opt to get their Covid jab, International Vaccine Passports are becoming something of a norm, and turns out that here in Beijing it’s easy to get one, even if you're a foreigner! This little yellow book will likely be your ticket to international travel once it's back on the table, potentially allowing travelers to avoid quarantine in the future, and could even ease your next visa application. To find out more, we visited Beijing International Travel Health Center in Hepingli.

Your ticket to international freedom! At some point...

Both already vaccinated and yet-to-be inoculated individuals can apply. The Beijing International Travel Health Center is a one-stop shop for getting the shot as well as any post-shot paperwork. You've likely already paid this place a visit when you did your visa application health check, or if you were similarly applying for other vaccinations for travel purposes. The facility is modern, well organized, and equipped with English-speaking staff to guide you through the process.

Bear in mind, opening hours are from 7.30-11.30am and 1.30-3.30pm. Early birds be warned – a queue starts to form a whole hour before doors open both in the morning and afternoon. So plan to come in advance. Bring entertainment or make friends while you wait.

The early bird gets the worm... after an hour or so

For those planning to get the vaccine and passport in one fell swoop, be sure to make an appointment. In WeChat, search 国际旅行卫生保健中心. You can follow the center’s official account below to set up a time. If you’re applying for the paperwork alone, simply head over.The glossy new building is a mere five-minute walk from the Hepingli North Street Station 和平里北街 on Line 5. Upon arrival at the gate, Scan the QR codes for your Beijing HealthKit (健康宝) and the Green Arrow (通信行程卡) location verification mini-program in WeChat to enter.You will be asked about the nature of your visit. The best way to communicate this is either by showing your appointment confirmation or a picture of the yellow vaccine passport. The security guards will direct you to the building where you can fill out the appropriate form including your personal info and when you arrived in Beijing. Then you will speak with the information desk who will give you a ticket number.

So how does this whole International Vaccination Passport application process go down? Let’s jump into it with a step-by-step guide and document checklist.

Small talk topics can include the first place you'll visit with your International Vaccine Passport

Step 1: The information desk staff will give you a ticket number and direct you to the application counter and cashier on your left. Take a seat, make a friend, and then simply wait for your number to be called or shown on the ticker. The staff will ask for your passport, passport photo, and vaccination paperwork. You will sign and receive a yellow form that includes a room number where you’ll go to submit it.

No more painful than the shot itself

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Step 2: Visit the cashier and pay.Step 3: Head upstairs to the specified location on your yellow form. Should be on the second floor. You will notice that this room doubles as both a vaccination room and paperwork drop-off. Wait in line for about ten minutes. Then when it's your turn, simply show your passport, hand over your passport photo, and give the staff your yellow form. That’s it!

You will receive a yellow slip receipt with a date for pick-up. Processing time is roughly three to five business days.

Be sure to arrive on or after the date listed. Just don't show up before.

Step 4: Come back for collection on or after the date listed. Bring your yellow slip! It is wise to avoid the initial doors-open rush, and arrive roughly an hour after opening times. You will be instructed to head over to window two on the first floor, located behind the information desk towards the exit. Picking up your yellow book should take no more than 30 minutes.

It's official!

And voila! You're all done!

Now you can technically call yourself a dual passport holder

The little yellow book has loads of information on your vaccine. This proof of record includes your personal information, the type of vaccine you received (SinoPharm, Sinovac, etc.), the manufacturer's lot number, your inoculation dates, and the location administered. The book has many extra pages for any other vaccines you may have, from yellow fever to malaria. In the back there is a barcode for easy scanning at international travel facilities.

It's got all the necessary info and then some

China is working hard to ensure that its International Vaccine Passport is accepted around the world. But potentially more importantly here in Beijing, this proof of vaccination may become integral to the visa application health-check process.

For only RMB 60 and two trips to the Beijing International Travel Health Center, we say it’s worth it. Who knows how important it could become in the future.

Checklist:

Passport
Two Passport Photos
Your vaccination paperwork from when you got the two shots

Should be pink carbon copies or more fancy certificates depending on where you did it.

A printout of your HealthKit Vaccination Report.

Click through HealthKit to the vaccination info section at the bottom. Hit the immunization series check on the top right. Scroll down to the bottom to copy a link to your official report. Paste that link into your browser. Screenshot this and print it. You can do this in advance to save time or you can print it on-site at the place as well for RMB 3.