A Guide for Returning Expatriates&their Families（Jul.1 Updated）

 WeChat ID: ijobchina

Facilitating the speedy return of our member company employees and their family members is a high priority for the Chamber. AmCham has been working with the US Consulate and Shanghai Municipal authorities to better understand the process by which employees and their families can return to China. AmCham is also working to resolve issues such as quarantine procedures and flights. We hope to bring you solutions to these problems in the coming weeks.

The information below reflects the current situation, but please note that it can change at any time and that regulations and qualification criteria may differ considerably from district to district.

VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Companies based in Shanghai can apply for an invitation letter for their employees from their district Foreign Affairs Office (FAO).* Each of Shanghai’s 16 District FAOs has their own application procedure. This application process is available for any foreign executive and their family members.

*Please note that as of July 1 an additional application channel has opened up through the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce (SCOFCOM). Companies may now apply through SCOFCOM instead of their District governments. Procedures and contact information listed below.

Required documents:

• Company introduction, stating how the company contributes to Shanghai’s economy;

• Written application detailing the necessity and urgency for the specified employee to return to Shanghai. This should include the employee’s personal information: name, gender, nationality, passport number, company name, and job title;

• Scanned copy of employee’s passport information page, and visa page;

• Letter of Guarantee from the company stating that the employee is healthy and that the company will urge the employee to abide by the epidemic prevention and control regulations.

Procedures:

• 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.). This should be done in the district in which the company is registered.

• The sub-district office, functional zones, or district competent authorities will next submit the application to the company’s District Foreign Affairs Office (FAO). If the District FAO makes the determination that the employee is essential to business operations, the District FAO will notify the company and forward the application to the Shanghai FAO.

• Please note that as of July 1 companies may now also apply through SCOFCOM instead of their District governments. SCOFCOM will review initial applications and then forward to the Shanghai FAO, thus skipping the two steps listed above.

• The Shanghai FAO will review the application and, if approved, will issue a visa notification to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Beijing and to the relevant Chinese Embassy or consulate in the country where the employee is located. The company will also receive a copy of the notification.

• The company should send a fax or scanned copy of this notification to the employee, who will then present it at their local Chinese Embassy or consulate for visa application. The notification will include a bar code that grants the Embassy or consulate access to all information collected by the Shanghai authorities. Please note, however, that additional information may still be required by the MFA or by the local Embassy or consulate.

District FAO Contacts:

SCOFCOM Contacts:

Application sites:

The Chinese Embassy and all consulates in the United States are authorized to process these visas. After obtaining the invitation letter, applicants should request a visa appointment through one of these visa application email addresses:

• Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC: [e-mail]

• Consulate General in New York: [e-mail]

• Consulate General in San Francisco: [e-mail]　

• Consulate General in Los Angeles: [e-mail]

• Consulate General in Chicago: [e-mail]

• Consulate General in Houston: [e-mail]

Health requirements:

Please note that employees may be required to submit a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test with their visa application materials to the Embassy or consulate. The test must have been taken within 72 hours of the time of application.

QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS:

Approved travelers should expect to spend 14 days in a quarantine facility. Upon entry into China, an additional nucleic acid test and an antibody test will be administered. Furthermore, if anyone aboard the flight tests positive for COVID-19 on arrival in China, then additional procedures may apply.

FAQs

Q: Can an application include or be solely for dependents?
A: Based on current information, companies can include dependents in their applications. It is not clear, however, if dependents can apply on their own. In addition, the local Chinese Embassy or consulate may make an additional determination whether to issue a visa for dependents.

Q: Can individuals apply for these visas, or must this be done through a company?
A: While there are no prohibitions against individuals applying for letters of invitation, it appears that the district government takes into consideration the economic importance of the applicant in approving the invitation letter, which could make it difficult for individuals to obtain a visa.

Q: Will there be a charter flight?
A: AmCham is exploring the possibility of organizing charter flights. We will provide updates when we have more information.

Q: Can incoming passengers quarantine at home? 
A: At this point, home quarantine eligibility criteria are high. Barring exceptional circumstances, such as pregnancy or disability, most passengers will be subject to centralized quarantine.

Source:https://www.amcham-shanghai.org/en/article/guide-returning-expatriates-and-their-families?source=WeChat0702&from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0

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