More Embassies Simplify Visa Application for Returnees
▲Click above to subscribe 点击上方蓝字关注我们▲
Chinese embassies in multiple countries including Germany, Tanzania, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Gabon, Belarus, Israel, Thailand, Pakistan, Federated States of Micronesia, etc. will streamline visa application procedure for foreigners who have been inoculated with China-produced vaccines starting from Monday, in an effort to resume normal personnel exchanges in the post-epidemic era.
Starting from Monday, people visiting China for business purposes and have been inoculated with Chinese COVID-19 vaccines can prepare materials and apply for visas according to requirements in pre-epidemic times, said a notice issued by the Chinese Embassy in Japan.
Foreign family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents who go to China for emergency humanitarian needs, including spouses, parents, children and other close relatives, if the reason for visiting China is a family reunion, visiting relatives, funeral or caring for critically ill patients, can apply for visas once their vaccination certificates are obtained.
Foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards can also resume visa applications with invitation letters, read the statement.
Before the issuance of the notice, the embassy had suggested a "no travel for non-essential purposes" policy to avoid cross-infections from international personnel exchanges.
The Chinese Embassy in India, Israel, Thailand, Pakistan, Nigeria, Uganda, etc have also issued similar notices as of press time, stressing that people visiting China for business purposes no longer need invitation letters provided by provincial-level foreign affairs or commerce departments, or by central state-owned enterprises.
Chinese embassies in these countries also noted in the statement that COVID-19 nucleic acid tests and serology IgM antibody tests taken within 48 hours are still required upon arrival, and travelers must follow local quarantine rules at their destinations in China.
It is worth noting that such detailed requirements were not specifically laid out in the simplified visa policy on Sunday for foreigners applying to enter the Chinese mainland via Hong Kong.
The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region issued a notice on Friday exempting foreign visa applicants who have received a Chinese vaccine from having to provide health certification.
Chinese experts said it can be seen as a trial for China to explore vaccine visas and hopefully can be expanded to other parts of the world.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian noted at a press conference on Monday that international arrivals to China still have to provide certificates of negative results in COVID-19 nucleic acid and IgG antibody tests and they have to obey China's anti-epidemic management measures after landing.
When asked whether it is possible for China to recognize more vaccines that have obtained pre-certification of the WHO, Zhao said that related companies can submit application with Chinese authorities, which will then make reasonable decision according to regulations.
As of the writing of this article, Chinese embassies in these countries have announced visa facilitations to foreigners who have taken Chinese vaccine:
Germany, Tanzania, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Gabon, Belarus, Israel, Thailand, Pakistan, Federated States of Micronesia, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Swiss, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal, Afganistan, Laos, Kuwait, Rwanda, Greece, India, Bahrain, Nigeria, Uganda, Angola, Ghana, and Algeria.
Editor's note: This might apply to all countries as well, since more Chinese embassies in many countries are publishing the same notice as the one first published by HKSAR FM last Friday. New publications, however, have more detailed requirements.
Contributions will be appreciated！
欢迎投稿！
▲ QQ group
▲ Official account