Immigration Answers Q's About Entering China during Quarantine

Liu Haitao, Director of the Border Inspection Department of the National Immigration Administration, responded to entry-exit related questions from the media at a press conference on March 30 following news of foreign residents unable to enter China, even with a valid residence permit, effective as of March 28.

Click to read the article and learn more about this announcement from a few days ago: Breaking News! Foreigners With Visa Barred From Entering China

Q: How can foreign travelers and residents who imperatively need to come to China enter the country?

As of now, foreign residents holding a valid visa or residence permit, as well as travelers holding an APEC business travel card, are denied entry into China. 

China has also ordered the temporary suspension of “port visas”, including:

• 24, 72, and 144-hour transit visa exemptions;

• Hainan entry visa exemption;

• Shanghai cruise ship visa exemption;

• 144-hour visa exemption for foreign travelers from Hong Kong and Macau;

• ASEAN tour group entry in Guangxi province.

Anyone holding a diplomatic, official or courtesy visa, as well as C-visas issued mainly to drivers and pilots on inbound and outbound transport, are not affected by the recent regulations.

In the event that foreign travelers must enter the country to engage in activities related to commerce, trade, science and technology, or any health-related work with regards to our fight against the ongoing pandemic, will need to visit the Chinese consulate in their place of residence abroad and apply for a new visa there.

The National Immigration Administration continues to work closely with the Foreign Ministry to adapt its policies based on the evolution of the current virus outbreak.

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Q: Four travelers from overseas were recently barred from entering Beijing at the airport for violating quarantine protocols. What is the National Immigration Administration doing to enforce these rules and effectively control the inflow of people wanting to enter China without permission?

A lot of what a person can and cannot do when it comes to coming in and out of China revolves around their travel record. If a mainland resident wishes to leave the country, customs officers will check whether this person has entered China in the last 14 days from overseas. If so, they will be prohibited from leaving as per regulations.

If a foreign traveler wishes to leave China before their quarantine period of 14 days is over, they may face legal consequences, including potential deportation, and will be prohibited from re-entering China for a certain period of time.

As such, it is crucial for everyone to work together and comply with regulations so we may win our fight against this outbreak as quickly and effectively as possible. Going against the law will only make matters worse.  

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A：For mainland residents leaving the country, the border inspection personnel shall check the entry records of the last time the person entered the country. If the entry records are found within 14 days, they shall resolutely prevent the person from leaving the country and hand them over to the local competent authorities for handling according to law.

If foreign tourists are found to have violated the regulations and left China without permission during the quarantine period, they will be handed over to the relevant competent authorities for handling according to law, and they will be prohibited from re-entering China within a certain period of time in the future.

It is illegal to enter or leave the country without permission in violation of the regulations on centralized quarantine measures. The immigration border inspection authorities will hand over the matter to the competent authorities for handling in accordance with the law.

Source: National Immigration Administration

Editor: Crystal H

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