China Opens Its Borders to Essential Workers

June 26, 2020


China has begun to open its doors to business travelers and is permitting the entry of essential foreign workers performing necessary and urgent economic, trade, scientific or technological activities.

Watch On-Demand Accelerated Webinar Now – China Reopens Borders: Return to China with Our Guided-Entry Visa Solution

The Chinese government does not have a single definition of who is an essential worker and is reviewing each applicant on a case-by-case basis.

Individuals who qualify as essential should generally meet one or more of the following criteria: indispensable to large projects, necessary for continuity of business significant to China, vital in the development of science and technology, associated with the preservation of Chinese jobs, or executing urgent or important contracts or any work or business involving massive investments or economic benefits.

As a rule of thumb applicants should include but are not limited to: VVIP’s, C-level, mission critical staff of multinational corporations or humanitarian organizations.

These essential workers will only be admitted after a rigorous and thorough review of each applicant’s eligibility, a government-issued Letter of Invitation (LOI), and the issuance of a new business visa (M Visa) in the applicant’s home country.

Moreover, residents of Singapore, South Korea and Germany qualifying for an M visa invitation letter for necessary and urgent economic, trade, scientific or technological activities may now qualify for a fast-track route, exempting them from the 14-day quarantine requirement in certain provinces and cities (Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin and Zhejiang).

The applicant needs to obtain negative COVID-19 test results in their home country after their M visa is issued and no more than three days before traveling. On arrival, they are tested again and quarantined for 1-2 days. The local district government in China will assign a designated car and driver to transport the foreign national during at least their first 14 days in China, and may pay some other costs.

Travelers who need to travel between the fast lane regions in China within the first 14 days upon arrival must, through the host company or government agency, obtain in advance the approval of the provincial/municipal government of the next destination. Travelers will only be allowed to travel outside the six fast lane regions after staying in the fast lane region(s) for 14 days.

How We Can Help

We have the knowledge, contacts, and on-the ground expertise to guide you back to China. We’ve already helped dozens of companies and hundreds of individuals return to China. We can assist you with:

  • Evaluation of applicant and sponsor’s eligibility
  • Preparation and submission of the LOI in China
  • Entry Visa Application from the consulate of China overseas
  • Post-arrival Process in China

Watch our 30-minute on-demand accelerated webinar examining how China is reopening its borders, the impact of new roles on visas and immigration, information on applicant eligibility criteria, and guidance on fast-track routes. Learn more about our new COVID travel solutions: Guided-Entry Visa and Informed Traveler service here.

Need more information? Contact your dedicated Newland Chase representative or contact us.