UPDATE: Ways for Expats to Return to China

Though the entry ban to China hasn't been lifted, several policies already indicate that China is gradually easing its border controls.

We had put together a guide of ways for foreigners to come back to China now. 

1

For residents from 40 countries with special policies

Europe: 

Albania, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, Bulgaria,North Macedonia, Belgium, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, the Netherlands, Montenegro,Czech Republic, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, United Kingdom

Foreign nationals from the list of 36 countries above  who hold valid residence permits such as work permits, permits for family reunion and personal matters, can apply for visas at any Chinese embassy or consulate in their home countries

Asia: 

South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia

Korean nationals hold valid residence permit for work can apply for work visa at the local Chinese embassy or consulate (China Visa Center).

Korean students holding valid residence permit for study can apply for student visa at the local Chinese embassy or consulate (China Visa Center) to return to China.

From August 22, 2020, foreign nationals with valid residence permits (employment, personal affairs, and reunion) from Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia can apply for visas in Chinese embassies/consulates to enter China.

2

For residents from other countries

/don't hold a vaild residence permit

Foreign nationals who are not from the list of 37 countries above or do not have any valid residence permit in China, may apply for an invitation letter (PU letter) and apply for an M visa (Business) from the Chinese embassy or consulate to return to China

In regards to the invitation letter (PU letter), please note the following:

A. Foreign applicants who have previously had a valid work permit can apply for the PU letter.

B. Companies which can provide high-tech enterprises certificate have a higher approval rate. And they don't necessarily need to provide complete tax records in the past year.

C. Non-high-tech enterprises need to provide tax record in 2019 and the district/county in which they made the payments.(which tax bureau)

List of materials needed for PU letter application (Preliminary Examination)

Applicant Name		Nationality
Company Name(Chinese)		Position
Current Visa		Visa Valid till
Physical office address		Contact of accountant
Tax amount paid		Where the tax was paid (tax bureau)

Methods to get the company tax record

Company Type 1: Foreign-funded Companies

A. Corporate annual report (enterprise contact directly informs tax amount + location of taxation)

B.  Website to get the Corporate Annual Report 

C. Contact the personnel responsible for financials  in the company. (You can provide us the contact of the responsible  and we can get the confirmation)

Company Type 2: Chinese Companies

A. Inform us directly of the amount of tax paid by the enterprise +  location of taxation

B. Log in to 法人一证通 platform to view the detailed information

Scan code below to log in to 法人一证通

C. Contact the personnel responsible for financials in the company. (You can provide us the contact of the responsible person and we can get the confirmation)

If you have any questions about visa applications, please contact our visa specialist Lisa (WeChat ID: AnyHelper_DD) 

If you have other questions about living in China, feel free to reach AnyHelper real-time Q&A system via AnyHelper WeChat menu (Scan code below), our lovely volunteers are online from 9am-9pm everyday to help you!

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