【New Update】Guide of Visa and Entry to China for New Assignees
Since the outbreak of covid-19, countries all over the world have been almost closed to the outside world, and the requirements for entry are becoming increasingly strict. However, with the rapid development of globalization, the flow of people from all countries is still necessary. China has been trying to find a dynamic balance between the control and economic development to achieve the flow of people. What are the procedures for foreigners to go through in the process of coming to China? How early does it need to start to apply for visa?... Many corporate HR and applicants are not very clear how to do this. Today, iReloChina will sort out the process and time so that you can plan ahead.
COVID-19自爆发以来，让全球各国都陷入了几乎闭国的状态，对入境人士的要求也日趋严格。然而在全球化高度发展的今天，各国人员流动依然是必须的。中国一直在管控和发展经济实现人员流动之间力求找到动态平衡点。那么外籍人员在来华过程中需要经过哪些流程？需要提前多久开始办理签证入境？……不少企业HR和申请人对此依然比较模糊，无从下手。今天，赞居就梳理一下这个项目的流程和时间，方便大家提前计划。
Before Entry
入境前
Step1: Application for government invitation letter/PU Letter (domestic companies apply in China)
政府邀请函申请（境内公司在中国申请）
The company must apply either at the sub-district office, functional zones, or at the district competent authorities that oversee its industry (Commission of Commerce, Science and Technology Commission, Education Commission, etc.).
公司须在公司注册地所属街道办事处或负责其行业的地区主管部门（商务委员会，经济委员会，营商服务中心等）申请。
Processing time: around one month
受理时间：一个月左右
Noted: According to the regulations "do not travel unless necessary” by the State Council, the examination and approval of the PU letter is stricter than before.
赞居提醒：根据目前国务院发布的“非必要，勿旅行”的口号，近期审批较严格。
Step 2: Visa application: M/Z Visa
签证申请：M/Z签证
Applicants need to send an email to the designated Chinese embassy and consulate, attach their PU Letter, passport information, explain the reason for the application, and wait for the embassy and consulate to reply with a specific list of documents. After documents ready, follow the email instructions to make an appointment and submit the relevant documents.
外籍员工需要向指定的中国使领馆发送邮件，附上自己的PU Letter, 护照信息,说明申请理由后，等待使领馆回复具体材料清单。申请人准备好材料后，根据邮件指示预约并递交相关材料。
Processing time: According to the current epidemic situation, the consulate will make corresponding adjustments, which is expected to take about 10 working days.
受理时间：根据当前的疫情形势，会做出相应的调整，预计10个工作日左右。
Noted: Applicants are required to provide relevant supporting documents truthfully. If any exaggeration or untrue information is found, it will affect the application for Chinese visa in the future.
赞居提醒：申请人须如实提供相关证明文件，如发现夸大事实或情况不实，将会影响今后申请中国签证。
Step 3: Book flights
预订机票
After got Chinese visa, the applicant can plan to come to China within the validity period of the visa. And contact the airline to order tickets.
签证完成后，申请人可以在签证有效期内计划来华。联系航空公司订购机票。
Processing time: According to the actual situation.
受理时间：根据实际情况
Please choose direct flight. International transit will increase the risk of infection.
赞居提醒：建议选择直航航班。国际中转将徒增感染风险。
Step 4: Take nucleic acid and IgM ant-body tests
新冠病毒核酸检测和血清IgM抗体检测
Passengers must take nucleic acid and IgM ant-body tests at a testing institution within 48 hours before boarding.
核酸检测和抗体检测均应于乘客登机前48小时内完成，以采样时间为准。所接受的核酸、抗体检测实验室或医疗机构的名单请提前与使领馆确认是否有指定和特别要求。
Processing time: within 48 hours
受理时间：48小时以内
Noted: Please check with the laboratory or medical institution first whether it is necessary to make appointment. After obtaining the test certificate, please check whether the certificate information and format meet the requirements.
赞居提醒：先了解各实验室或医疗机构的开放时间和是否需要预约。获得相关检测证明后，检查证明信息及格式是否符合要求。
Step 5: Applying for HS QR code or Health Declaration Form
申领“HS”标识的绿色健康码或健康状况声明书
After got the double-negative test results, please present the certificates of negative results to the Chinese Embassy/Consulates to apply for a green health code with the "HS" mark or a certified health declaration form.
当申请人得到双阴证明后，请根据中国使领馆的要求发送邮件或者自行上传相关系统得到纸质或者电子版《健康状况声明书》。
Processing time: Usually within 12 hours
受理时间：12小时内（正常情况下）
Noted: The applicant should submit the application in time and truly declare the relevant contents in the QR code application system, so as to avoid delaying the journey.
赞居提醒：及时提交申请，真实声明二维码申请系统中的有关内容，避免耽误行程。
Step 6: Boarding
登机
Relevant airlines are responsible for checking passengers’ health QR codes and Health Declaration Letter before boarding. Passengers will be denied boarding if they fail to meet relevant requirements.
相关航空公司负责在登机前检查旅客的健康二维码和健康声明书。不符合要求的旅客将被拒绝登机。
Before testing and travel, more strict epidemic prevention should be carried out to eliminate the possibility of infection. Also, close protection should be taken during arrival and departure as well as during direct flights.
赞居提醒：检测及旅行前更要严格防疫，杜绝感染可能。抵离机场和飞行途中也要做好严密防护。
After Entry
入境后
Step 7: Quarantine
隔离
Upon arrival in China, COVID-19 Test needs to be carried out according to the local requirements of the destination. 14 days centralized quarantine in Shanghai.
抵达中国，按抵达地当地要求进行核酸检测。根据中国各地的要求进行集中或者居家隔离。上海目前是14天集中隔离。
Please abide by the local quarantine policy and laws & regulations in the destination cities.
赞居提醒：需遵守中国当地城市的隔离政策和相关法律法规。隔离费用需要自行承担。
Step 8: Apply for registration form of temporary residence
住宿登记单自助申报
Applicants can log onto https://crjzndg.gaj.sh.gov.cn/24hr to register or scan the following QR code with mobile phone. Users who stay at hotels in Shanghai do not need to declare.
申请人入住居住地后可通过网页https://crjzndg.gaj.sh.gov.cn/24hr或手机端扫描二维码，登录系统进行申报（在上海市居住住所为宾旅馆的用户无需进行申报）。
Processing time: within 24hours
受理时间：24小时以内
Noted: The self-declaration system is currently limited to Shanghai, and other cities need to go to the police station to register.
赞居提醒：自助申报系统目前只限上海，其他城市需前往居住地所管辖的派出所登记办理。
Step 9: Medical checkup
体检
After the quarantine, first arrange the health check which required for the work permit application. The physical examination needs to be booked in advance.
隔离结束后，首先安排工作证所需要的健康证明检查。体检需提前预约，当天空腹。
Processing time: 4 working days
受理时间: 4个工作日
Noted: Have a good break, and bring the quarantine release letter when going for the medical checkup.
赞居提醒：体检前一天好好休息。当天体检需提供的隔离解除证明。
Step 10: Work permit
工作许可证
The work permit application needs to be submitted online for the first trial, which will take around 5 working days. And go to the Expert Bureau for documents verification and then waiting for final decision.
网上开始提交所需的材料，5个工作日初审后到窗口校验所有材料。如无问题，将继续终审并出证。
Processing time: around 15 working days
受理时间：15个工作日内
Noted: Before the completion of the work permit and residence permit, foreign employees cannot start work.
赞居提醒：工作许可证未完成前，外籍人员不能开始工作。
Step 11: Residence permit
居留许可证
After the completion of the work permit, the applicant should apply for a long-term residence permit at the Exit and Entry Administration within the specified time.
工作许可证完成后，申请人需尽快到出入境管理局申请办理长期签证——居留许可证。
Processing time: 8 working days
受理时间：8个工作日
Noted: The original passport will be kept by the Immigration Bureau during the application, please avoid travel during this period.
赞居提醒：护照原件将被收取直至出证，在此期间避免差旅。
Based on the above, the entire process for a new assignee who need to go to China for working generally takes about 4 months. Due to the instability of global epidemic control, the actual situation will also change accordingly. iReloChina suggests that employers and foreign employees can prepare the immigration formalities in advance. Please feel free to contact us if you need.
综合上述，外籍员工来华工作的整个流程一般情况下所需时间差不多为4个月。由于全球疫情控制的不稳定性，实际情况也会因此有所变动。赞居建议用人单位和外籍员工一旦确认，请尽早办理。联系我们，将为您排忧解难！