Source: Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In view of resuming people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries in an orderly manner, starting from 15 March 2021, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the HKSAR will provide the following facilitation for visa applicants who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China and obtained the vaccination certificate:
1. Foreign nationals and their family members visiting the mainland of China for resuming work and production in various fields need only to provide the documents required before the COVID-19 pandemic when applying for a visa. The Invitation Letter (PU), Invitation Letter (TE) or Invitation Verification Notice issued by the foreign affairs offices or the departments of commerce of the provincial (including autonomous regions and municipalities) governments or the headquarters of central state-owned enterprises are no longer required.
2. The scope of applicants eligible for applying for a visa out of emergency humanitarian needs will be expanded as appropriate. Foreign family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents of China, including spouse, parents, children and other close relatives living together (referring to siblings, grandparents and grandchildren), may submit visa applications for the purposes of reuniting with family, taking care of the elderly, visiting relatives, attending funerals or visiting critically ill relatives.
3. Holders of valid APEC business travel cards may apply for the M visa by presenting the original valid APEC business travel card and the invitation letter issued by the inviting party in the mainland of China.
Please be noted that the above-mentioned visa facilitation applies only to applicants who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China (either having received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with the stipulated gap in between, or having received a single-dose Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days prior to the application) and obtained the vaccination certificate. A proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result and the Health and Travel Record Declaration Form for Visa Application are no longer required.
Other applicants should still follow the visa procedure as stated in the Notice on Updated Requirements for Chinese Visa Application During Covid-19 Pandemic issued on 9 February 2021, and 26 Q&As about Applying for Chinese Visa in Hong Kong SAR During the COVID-19 Pandemic posted on the official website of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the HKSAR.
The guidelines in the picture above are for those who are NOT innoculated with a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine. Visa applications by those who are innoculated only require the normal materials plus proof of vaccination without a PU letter!
China said on Sunday (March 7) that it would be issuing “health certificates” – an apparent first step to a global health passport – to allow for free international travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country is also open to working with the International Olympic Committee to immunise athletes taking part in the sporting event. It would also be setting up regional vaccination sites to inoculate its citizens overseas, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at his annual press conference.
“We will introduce an international health certificate… and launch the Chinese version of an international electronic health travel document,” he said, which will allow for the verification of nucleic acid tests and vaccination records.
China will roll out a Chinese version of health certificate, which while protecting personal privacy, will realize mutual recognition of information on COVID-19 nucleic acid tests and vaccine inoculations, Wang revealed at a press conference about Chinese foreign policy and diplomatic relations, on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing.
According to Wang, more than 100,000 volunteers from at least 100 countries are participating in international clinical trials of China’s COVID-19 vaccines and more than 60 countries have approved the use of Chinese vaccines, which demonstrates their safety and efficacy.
Wang’s remarks came after EU leaders in late February held discussions over the possibility of issuing vaccine passports to EU residents to help resume travel within the continent by this summer, triggering worldwide discussion over the possibility and feasibility of the mechanism.
Subsequently, other countries like South Korea, Singapore and Thailand started negotiations on feasibility.
Chinese experts agreed that mutual recognition of vaccination and health conditions will benefit resumption of China’s exchanges with the world.
Given the complexity regarding mutual recognition of vaccination and health conditions and to better prevent imported cases along with the mechanism, it is more feasible and practical to launch the mutual recognition mechanism between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao at the initial stage, they suggested.
Since the epidemic in some areas in the world is still serious while China has put its epidemic under control, China could still apply stricter management measures than other “mutual recognition countries” on international arrivals to prevent imported cases after the project is carried out, Tao Lina, a Shanghai-based vaccine expert told the Global Times on Sunday.
At this year’s two sessions, some NPC deputies and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have made suggestions on how to conduct China’s version of a vaccine passport properly.
China could encourage the public to voluntarily get vaccinated and gradually issue a new travel certificate for those who have been vaccinated, Zhu Zhengfu, a prominent Chinese lawyer and a member of the CPPCC National Committee, told the Global Times previously.
According to Zhu, business and travel visas could be issued to people with vaccine passports if they want to go to other countries and regions where the COVID-19 epidemic has been effectively curbed.
He also suggested that international arrivals could be exempted from the requirement of 14-day quarantine if they have a negative nucleic acid test report and a vaccine passport, while people in China can travel freely within the country free from nucleic acid testing if they have a vaccine passport.
Mutual recognition of vaccination and health conditions is a complex issue concerning not only science, but practical operation, Gao Fu, director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told media on Friday.
Vaccination mutual recognition in the end means mutual recognition of vaccines and their effectiveness, a Beijing-based vaccine expert told the Global Times on Sunday on condition of anonymity, noting that to reach such mutual recognition would require lengthy negotiations.
Witman Hung Wai-man, a Hong Kong-based NPC deputy suggested the central government set up a vaccine passport recognized by both the mainland and Hong Kong.
With the passport, Hong Kong residents who have been vaccinated with domestic vaccines or foreign-produced vaccines recognized by China and have a negative nucleic acid test report will not need to quarantine when they enter the mainland, Hung told the Global Times previously.
On February 4, 2021, according to the State Council, the Foreign Affairs Offices of 11 cities across China issued notices on the public holiday arrangement of Spring Festival in 2021, including Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing and Changchun, which clearly stated that all the work staff would enjoy a seven-day holiday, from February 11 to 17, but would be available for duty on February 7 and 20.
24-Hour Hotline be on Duty at All Times
However, in case of emergency, each personnel can call the local mayor 24-hour service hotline at “area code + 12345” to resolve problems and seek help, which is still available during the Spring Festival.
Besides, per the Tianjin Entry-Exit Administration Bureau, if someone need to apply for an emergency permit during the holiday, please contact the government workers at 022-24459007 first, and then go to the Tianjin Public Security Bureau for the relevant certificates.
Guangdong: New Rules on Quarantine of Inbound Travelers during the Spring Festival
Furthermore, per the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, from February 8 to 17, the diversion of inbound passengers from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to other cities in Guangdong province will be temporarily suspended, and the closed-loop management from “entry ports” to “centralized isolation points” will be strictly implemented, the details are as follows.
For Entry Personnel from Different Regions
For airport entry personnel, they must provide “a negative certificate of nucleic acid test within 48 hours + a negative certificate of IgM antibody test + a green health code” before boarding, as to curb the cross-border spreading of COVID-19 virus;
For entry personnel from Hong Kong, they must provide a valid negative certificate of nucleic acid test within 24 hours;
For those who entering from Macao, due to the current coordination of anti-epidemic policies between Guangdong and Macao, only a negative certificate of nucleic acid test within 7 days is required.
Meanwhile, as to ensure the safety of epidemic prevention and control of entry personnel, Guangdong will upgrade and improve the health management measures for inbound passengers, including “14-day centralized quarantine + 7-day home-based health management + four nucleic acid tests (namely getting tested upon arrival, the 7th, 14th, and 21st day of quarantine) ” after arrival, and all of them are placed under community control.
The Adjustment of the Diversion of Inbound Passengers
Between February 8 to 17, Guangdong Province will adjust the diversion of entry personnel, which include:
Those who entering China through Baiyun International Airport, should carry out the centralized quarantine in Guangzhou, and the diversion to Foshan, Qingyuan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing would be suspended;
While for those entering China through Shenzhen Bay Port, they should undergo the centralized quarantine right in Shenzhen, and also the diversion to Dongguan, Huizhou, Shanwei, Zhongshan and the other 10 cities is suspended.
It is worth noticing that since February 6, the cross-city home-based isolation is banned for each inbound passenger entering China via per port in Guangdong.
Per the Foreign Affairs Office of Quzhou, as of now, there are sporadic resurgence of COVID-19 cases and local clusters of epidemics in some places in China. Coupled with the approaching Spring Festival and the increased flow of people, the situation of prevention and control becomes increasingly serious, please pay highly attention to personal protection and avoid large-scale gatherings and non-essential activities.
With the changes and development of the times, nowadays, the ties between countries are getting closer. Many foreign friends even move their hukou to China because they like China. However, in China, it is not that simple to have a permanent residence ID card.
To apply for a “Chinese Green Card”, according to the latest policy issued in 2020, there are four types of foreign nationals who can apply: visiting relatives, working, investing, and investors specifically targeting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Benefits enjoyed by foreigners holding the card
Free entry and exit to China
If foreigners meet the requirements for applying for a Chinese permanent residence permit, their family members can also apply for a Chinese permanent residence permit in accordance with relevant regulations;
Enjoy the same rights, obligations and statistical ownership of Chinese citizens when handling financial services in China;
Domestic shopping, purchase of various tickets, cultural, entertainment, business travel and other consumer activities have the same treatment and the same price as Chinese citizens; you can board the plane, buy train tickets and stay in hotels with your green card;
Enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in applying for a motor vehicle driving license and handling motor vehicle registration.
In principle, the validity period of China’s permanent residence permit is 10 years, and it can be replaced when it expires;
Can participate in social insurance or urban residents’ basic medical insurance and social pension insurance, and enjoy social insurance benefits;
Can use the housing provident fund and handle the withdrawal or transfer of the housing provident fund according to the regulations;
The purchase of self-use and self-occupied commercial houses is not subject to the restrictions on the number of years that foreigners buy houses in China
Foreign investment can be made in China to reduce investment tax and exchange costs;
Their children can receive compulsory education in their place of residence;
Naturalize or restore Chinese nationality, simplify procedures and speed up processing;
Employment in China can be exempted for foreigners working in China.
Many people may be curious that native Chinese people have a nationality as well as their own ethnicity at birth, so what ethnicity should a foreigner add to Chinese nationality?
01
First of all, there are ethnic distinctions in other countries. Foreigners who have joined Chinese nationality can also keep their ethnic names.
Because a foreigner has become a Chinese citizen, it does not necessarily mean that he is Chinese, but he has obtained long-term residency rights. Therefore, foreigners who join China can also choose to fill in the foreign nationality in the ID column.
02
You can fill in your original nationality or ancestry in the ID column. For example, if you are originally British, you can fill in the nationality column in the ID column. This approach is to make it easier to distinguish which country the foreigner who has acquired Chinese nationality originally belonged to, which is equivalent to a proof of his country of origin.
03
The third category is to fill in the Han nationality. We know that the Han nationality accounts for the largest population in China and is also the most common. If a foreigner who has become a Chinese national does not want to fill in his original ethnicity or original nationality on his ID card, there is still another major option to choose from, that is, joining the Han nationality.
Application conditions
The “Administrative Measures for the Approval and Approval of Foreigners’ Permanent Residence in my country” stipulates: For high-level foreign talents who work in relevant units in China, foreign investors who have a relatively high amount of direct investment in my country, have made major outstanding contributions to China or have special needs in the country Persons and family reunion persons such as husband and wife reunion, minors relying on their parents, elderly relying on relatives, etc., can be granted permanent residence permits for foreigners
Direct investment in China, with stable investment for three consecutive years and a good tax record;
Serving as deputy general manager, deputy factory director and other senior management positions in China, or have senior titles such as associate professor, associate researcher, and enjoy the same treatment, have served for four consecutive years, and have stayed in China for at least three years within four years And have a good tax record;
Those who have made significant and outstanding contributions to China and have special needs of the country;
The spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18 of the persons mentioned in the above three items of this paragraph;
Chinese citizens or spouses of foreigners who have obtained permanent residency qualifications in China, have been married for five years, have resided in China continuously for five years, have resided in China for not less than 9 months each year, and have stable living security and domicile ；
Unmarried children under the age of 18 go to their parents;
Those who have no immediate family members abroad, and seek immediate family members in China, and have reached 60 years of age, have continuously resided in China for 5 years, have resided in China for not less than 9 months each year, and have stable living security and residence.
China’s right to permanent residence is also called “China green card” by Chinese people. For foreigners, it’s not as easy for Chinese people to get green cards from European and American countries. Even if a foreigner has been working and living in China for more than ten years, there is a high probability that he does not have a Chinese green card, because according to statistics, the annual circulation of Chinese green cards is only a few hundred or several thousand.
According to the national “Internet + government service” construction requirements, the construction of the Ministry of Science and Technology unified identity authentication system, to achieve “one place registration, mutual recognition” and “one certification, the whole network to do”, foreigners in China work management system has been integrated into the Ministry of Science and Technology government service platform.
Starting from January 11, 2021, the government has upgraded the work permit management system for foreigners in China. The new entry points are:
The new system requires every lawfully established company to re-authenticate its user identity as a foreign-related company.
Materials required (the following materials shall be clear color scanned copies or photographic images in JPG format:):
1. Business license
2. Front and back of the ID card of the legal person and the ID card of the agent; the first page of the passport provided if the legal person or agent is a foreigner.
3. Company information (such as address, company name, landline, cell phone, email, etc.)
Steps：
Step 1:
Open the website entrance to choose the legal person login, with the previously registered system user name and password to login
Step 2:
select “在线办事 online business”,
– “我的信息 my information”,
and then gradually complete the relevant information and upload materials.
Step 3:
After completing the application and uploading the materials and passing the review, you can log in again and return to the original system interface for business declaration.
Foreigners now eligible for a ‘fast pass’ that simplifies conversion at banks.
Shanghai became the first city in China to launch a pilot policy that simplifies currency exchange services for foreigners.
Foreigners who work in companies registered in Pudong district will no longer need to bring documents such as employment contracts, proof of income and tax completion certificates when they want to exchange their money in Chinese yuan to foreign currencies.
For the service, all they need is a fast pass, which they can apply for at the district’s foreigner work permit office by filling out a Fast Pass on Foreign Talents Remuneration Foreign Exchange, which includes personal, employment and tax information.
With the fast pass, foreigners can purchase foreign exchange at all banks in Shanghai without further verification for an unlimited number of times as long as the total purchases don’t exceed their legal income.
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange’s Shanghai branch said the policy will be gradually rolled out across the city, and it will direct banks to develop related e-banking functions.
The pilot policy, which was announced at the 2020 Shanghai Global Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit, is the latest move by the city to improve the working environment for foreigners to attract talent from around the world.
In September, the city made it easier for foreigners who come to Shanghai to start a business.
Before, foreigners had to first be employed by a company to apply for a work permit. Now, the revised policy includes business incubators as eligible entities to help foreign entrepreneurs with projects obtain work permits.
Kurosawa Kazunori and Osaka Hiroaki, who focus on imaging sensor technology, became the first to get their work permits with the help of Cantor Jungle Incubator at Thursday’s summit.
More than 10,000 high-level positions for hiring and a list of key technology projects submitted by 867 companies that need talent were also released at the summit. The total investment of the projects exceeded 4 billion yuan ($612 million).
Wu Ping, president of the Shanghai Overseas Talents Development Association, said, “Talent is very important for the development of a country. I hope Shanghai can also become a destination for global talent.”
According to the municipal science and technology commission, which oversees the issuing of foreigner work permits, the number of foreigners working in Shanghai reached 215,000 last year, topping all cities on the Chinese mainland.
Can I change my work permit and residence permit when job hopping in China these day, considering the situation of COVID-19? And how? On December 14, 2020, one subscriber reached out to OneTube Daily for an answer. Thus, OT-Team consulted the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Hangzhou, and the response is as follows.
How to Get a New Work Permit and Residence Permit
Per the work staff of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Hangzhou, it is a three-step procedure for one to reapply for a new work permit and work-type residence permit after leaving their previous job.
Step 1: Apply for a 30-Day Stay Visa
First, expats shall ask their former employer to go through the formalities for the cancellation of the work permit and the residence permit visa to the State Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs within one month after the expiration of their work contract;
Second, foreigners shall ask the previous work-unit to provide the resignation certificate with their official seal;
Last, expats shall go to the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to apply for a 30-day stay visa with materials including the certificates of the cancellation of foreigner’s work permit and residence permit, the resignation certificate, passport and temporary accommodation registration certificate issued by the local public security bureau.
Step 2: Obtain a New Work Permit
Next, to get a new work permit, expats shall find a new job and get the labor contract done within 30 days. Then, the new employer shall apply for a new work permit for them from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People´s Republic of China, which usually takes 15 working days;
Step 3: Get the New Work-Type Residence Permit
To get a new residence permit, expats shall bring the relevant materials to the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau including the passport, academic credential and certificate, certificate of no criminal record, work permit, medical examination report and the temporary residence certificate.
It is worth noticing that all foreigners can apply for a 30-day stay visa after leaving their previous job, said the work staff of the Hangzhou Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.
Below are some FAQ about boarding with the Green Health Code in Canada from the official website, please check it before your departure.
1.What should I do if the test cannot be done during holidays?
If the test can not be taked during holidays, your itinerary will be affected. Please be sure to contact the inspection agency in advance to confirm. If you cannot check on time and apply for a health code from the embassy in Canada, please contact the airline to adjust the travel period.In case of long holidays, airlines may also adjust flight arrangements. Please contact us in advance to confirm.
2. How long does it take for the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Canada to issue a health code? Will it be reviewed on holidays and weekends? The Embassy and Consulate in Canada will review and issue the health code as soon as possible after receiving the application, including weekends and holidays, just to ensure that passengers board the flight to China smoothly. To avoid delaying your itinerary, please log in to the health code WeChat app or web version to submit an application as soon as possible after obtaining the test certificate.
3. Do children under 03 need to apply for a health code? Local testing agency will not test infants under 03 years old (including 03 years old), so they do not need to perform double testing and do not need to apply for a health code, but they must be checked by the airline on-site before boarding. The legal guardian signs the disclaimer at the scene.
4. Which embassy or consulate should I choose when applying for a health code? Please select the corresponding embassy or consulate according to the consular district of the embassy or consulate in Canada.
5. Is there a time limit for the green health code? After the green health code is generated, the expiration time will be automatically displayed, so please pay attention. Especially when transiting from Canada to Vancouver to China, please be sure to consider the time difference. Please check the expiration time of the green health code immediately after arriving in Vancouver, and check in at the airport in advance to avoid being unable to board the plane after the green health code expires.
You will be required to provide a “no criminal background check” authenticated by Chinese Embassy in the US for employment in China. Chinese local authority may or may not accept county level or state level background check, however, the FBI criminal history record (AKA FBI report) is widely accepted in China.
The FBI report needs to be authenticated by the US Department of State, then by the Chinese Embassy before it can used in China.
How to obtain the FBI report?
It’s actually quite simple. You may follow the steps below:
First of all, you will need to complete the applicant information form on FBI website. https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
Then you need to submit your fingerprints at participating U.S. Post Office locations or Express mail a completed fingerprint card along with a copy of your confirmation e-mail to FBI address in WV. You may also contact with one of the FBI-Approved Channelers to see if they can accept your fingerprints electronically. https://bit.ly/33GMXZl
If you are already in China, please refer to the US Embassy website for information about local fingerprint services: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/wp-content/uploads/sites/252/2017/05/Fingerprinting.pdf
Once the FBI receives your fingerprints, it only takes them 3-5 business days to generate the report. If you choose the digital version, you may download the report into PDF file once ready
What’s next?
There are 2 steps needed: the first is US Department of State authentication, the second is Chinese Embassy Authentication.
US Department of State authentication step takes about 2 months to complete.
Chinese Embassy authentication step takes another 3-6 weeks depending on the service level you choose.
We will cover both steps for you. The authenticated FBI report will be delivered to you by FedEx. In order for us to help you, please prepare your application according to the instruction below:
FAQs: Q: What should I fill in “Appendix and Copies of Notarization/ Legalization” section? A: It simply means how many set of documents you need for authentication. If you only have 1 document, simply type in “1”. You will need to pay for each document that needs authentication.
Item 2 – Photocopy of Applicant’s Passport
Photocopy of applicant’s passport. Please make a clear photocopy of your passport. Do not shrink or enlarge the size.
Non-US passport holder needs to provide copy of legal US status such as US Permanent Residence Card copy or US student or residence visa copy.
Item 3 – Payment The authentication fees vary depending on service level
Regular Service (up to 20 weeks processing): US$278.00/per document
Express Service (12-16 weeks processing): US$338.00/per document Above fees include US Department of State fee, Chinese Embassy fee, VisaRite service fee and return shipping fee by FedEx.
Remarks:
Processing time means the time US Department of State and Chinese Embassy need to process your application and is based on business days. First day of receiving is not processing day. Weekend and holiday doesn’t count.
Forms of Payment:
You may also pay by credit card online or offline. Credit card payment is subject to 3.6% surcharge.
If you have paid online, please include a copy of payment confirmation with your application. Do not send in the credit card payment authorization form if you have paid online.
Return shipping fee included is for return addresses within the continental U.S. If your return address is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or Canada, please include an extra extended delivery area fee of $10.00 per order. If you need to ship back to other international address, additional fee and time is needed, please call for detail.
Item 4 – Complete Online Service Request Form
Please specify your service level and return address by submitting the service request form online.
Please provide email address and phone so that confirmation and status update can be sent to you during the process.
Send the Application to VisaRite Service
Send your application to us via email
The original FBI report downloaded from FBI website in PDF format.
One clearly and completely filled “Application Form for Authentication” e-form version in PDF format.
Scan copy of the applicant’s passport name page (complete page with name, photo, signature and barcode).
Service request form confirmation page.
Payment confirmation or credit card payment authorization form.
Earlier this month, Chinese embassies in many countries have announced that foreign nationals who are to fly to China should apply for Health Declaration Certificate online.
In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 epidemic and simplify the process of applying for Health Declaration Certificate for foreign passengers, now foreign passengers could apply for Health Declaration Certificate online.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE 1. Register and log in to the Health Declaration Certificate system on your computer or mobile phone, fill in the required information and upload your negative nucleic acid test and IgM anti-body test reports. The login page of the system: https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/
2. The Chinese Embassy in your country will review your negative nucleic acid test and IgM anti-body test reports and issue Health Declaration Certificate with “HDC” mark (as shown below) in time. Passengers must present the green code within its validity period before boarding. Please see to it that you also meet the latest requirements of the Chinese Embassy/Consulates in the transit country.
REMINDERS To prevent cross-border transmission of COVID-19, starting from 7 November 2020, all Chinese and foreign passengers bound for China will be required to take nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests and obtain corresponding negative test results (referred to herein as “double-negative test results”). Without double-negative test results, an HS QR code or an HDC QR code, you will not be able to board the flight to China.
In addition, as testing may not be available in the transit zones at the airport in transit country, please be cautious when choosing to fly to China via connecting flights. Passengers are advised to consult the Chinese embassy or consulate in the transit country about the latest policies to avoid getting stranded in the transit country due to denial of entry or failure to get valid health code or health declaration form.
US diploma must be legalized by the Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate in order to be used in China. This process is called authentication. You may use the same process to prepare TEFL, TESOL certificate and transcript for authentication. Here is the outline of three major steps for diploma authentication for use in China
1) Notarize as true copy or original
2) Secretary of State Authentication
3) Consulate Authentication
VisaRite is specialized in assisting you to obtain authentication from the Chinese Consulate and Embassy easily and quickly. In order for us to help you, you will need to have the documents authenticated by the relevant Secretary of State Office (or US Department of State) first. Pease read the detail instruction carefully and complete all the steps below before you mail your application over to us. If you have the original diploma and need help with notary and Department of State authentication as well, please email us for details.
STEP 1 – Notarized by a Notary Public
The diploma should be notarized in the state where it is from. It is required to notarize the original or photocopy of the diploma with two statements: one declaration statement and one acknowledge statement.
Please note a notary may never simply “sign and seal” a diploma. Chinese Consulate routinely rejects diploma, if it only bears notary statement. The declaration statement should be from either the holder or school registrar, not the notary. The acknowledge statement should be from a notary. The two statements can be typed or printed on either front or back side of the diploma or on a separate paper attached to the diploma.
The declaration statement can be something like this “I declare this (the attached) is (my true original diploma) or (a true and unaltered photocopy of my diploma)”. The statement should be signed in presence of the notary. The notary should add an acknowledge statement such as “Signed and sworn (or affirm) to before me this___day of____, 20___.” and complete with notary seal and signature. Click here for a sample notarized diploma by holder or sample notarized diploma by registrar.
Exceptions:
Chinese Consulates in San Francisco (covering Alaska, Northern California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington): Only school registrar can declare (original or certified copy, not photocopy of) diploma for authentication; Diploma copy declared by the diploma holder is no longer acceptable. A copy of the school registrar’s business card is required. Documents being authenticated at the San Francisco Consulate need to have the notary stamp present on all pages of the document. If your notarization is on a attached page and the notary stamp is not present on the diploma page, the San Francisco Consulate will reject it. If the notary is not willing to stamp each individual page of the document, please have the notarization done on the back of your diploma, making it a single-page, double-sided document.
Please use letter size version diploma whenever possible, larger size version may need to be fold into letter size to be accepted.
STEP 2 – Authenticated by the Secretary of State
The notarized diploma should be further authenticated by the Secretary of State by adding a cover statement with a designated big seal, signature recognized by Chinese Consulate. Click here for state authentication sample.
Once authenticated, the staple(s) or rivet must not be removed, or it will invalidate the document.
When you submit it to secretary of your state, please indicate the document will be used in China.
Diploma authenticated in some states must be further authenticated by the US Department of State. These states include Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Island. We can help with US Department of State authentication service for a fee, please email us for details if needed.
FAQs: Q: What should I fill in “Supporting documents and Copies of Legalization” section? A: It simply means how many set of documents you need for authentication. If you only have 1 document, simply type in “1 ORIGINAL AND 1 PHOTOCOPY”. You will need to pay for each document that needs authentication. STEP 4 – Photocopy of Applicant’s ID
Photocopy of applicant’s passport. Please make a clear photocopy of your passport. Do not shrink or enlarge the size. Use only letter size paper. Do not cut to smaller size.
Non-US passport holder needs to provide copy of legal US status such as US Permanent Residence Card copy or US student or residence visa copy.
STEP 5 – Select a Service The authentication fees vary depending on level of service
Processing time means the time Chinese Consulate needs to process your application and is based on business days. First day of receiving is not processing day. Weekend and holiday doesn’t count.
Forms of Payment:
You may also pay by credit card. Credit card payment is subject to 3.6% surcharge.
If you have paid online, please include a copy of payment confirmation with your application. Do not send in the credit card payment authorization form if you have paid online.
Return shipping fee listed is for return addresses within the continental U.S. If your return address is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or Canada, please include an extra extended delivery area fee of $10.00 per order. If you need to ship back to other international address, additional fee and time is needed, please call for detail.
STEP 6 – Complete Service Request Form
Please specify your service level and return address by submitting the service request form online.
Please provide email address and phone so that confirmation and status update can be sent to you during the process.
Please include one copy of service request confirmation with the documents you ship to us and keep one copy for your record.
STEP 7 – Send the Application Package to VisaRite ServicePut all following items together in one package
Chinese Consulate will keep a photocopy of your diploma and authentication certificate on file. Please make a photocopy of each single page including the notarized diploma, state authentication page. You may fold page when making copies. Do not unstaple. IMPORTANT! The staple can not be removed or it will invalidate the document.
One clearly and completely filled “Application Form for Authentication”.
Copy of the passport or photo ID of the applicant.
Check or money order payable to VisaRite Service to cover the total cost or online payment confirmation.
Please email us at: service@visarite.net for detail address and shipping instruction in order to prevent delay in processing your application.
This tick list is accurate as of 15th November 2020. Be sure to check at each stage for any updates to the procedures.
For any questions please get contact with your Gold Star recruiter, or contact us here or speak with the HR department at your school.
Important note about your passport: Your passport must have at least 1 year validity and 5 blank pages and have no damage such as creased pages or water damaged pages. If your passport does not meet these criteria your work visa could well be rejected, so please apply for a new passport.
Please note, if you already have a residence permit from China that expired after 28 March 2020, you can apply for a renewed work visa. Please contact us for details.
Visa Process
-Consider using a visa agency or HR company to assist you with the whole process, CYI can do it for you all for free, and 100% Professional and fast results. o assist with the process. We can offer free advice or take care of the entire process for free.
Google China visa agents in your area for more options
1) Get Criminal Background Check notarised and authenticated
Apply for a Criminal Background Check, also known as an Identity History Summary Check. This is an official statement stating that you do not have a criminal record. This document will be valid for the purpose of the China visa application for six months from its issue date.
There are two options: a) federal level check (FBI) b) state level check . Check with your school which is required, usually a federal level check if preferrable.
Procedure for criminal background check from the FBI: NOTE: submitting your fingerprints electronically via the post office service is significantly quicker than submitting via mail: -Visit the FBI page here for instructions -Confirm your nearest post office which is authorised to submit your request by entering your zip code here. You may also choose an FBI-approved Channeler or if you are already in China, refer to the US embassy page. -Submit your request here. IMPORTANT: check the box requesting a hard copy of the results -They will email you your results within 24 hours and send the hard copy by mail within 7 days -Get your Criminal Background Check document authenticated by the US Department of State. Make sure to inform them the document is intended for China.
Procedure for criminal background check from state level: -Go to your home state website and request a criminal history check -Get the document authenticated by the Secretary of State from the state where you live. You can see a list of sample documents and below that links to the state offices here or at the bottom of this page and also on the Chinese embassies page here. -Make sure to inform them the document is intended for China.
2) Get degree diploma notarised and authenticated
1- Obtain from the registrar of the University an official true copy of your degree diploma. The registrar should then execute an affidavit attesting to the validity of the document before a notary public. 2- Take the document, with the notarial certificate to the State Notary Public Administrator (scroll down to bottom half of the page) for authentication. Make sure to inform them the document is intended for China. Check this website for samples for each state. 3- A diploma authenticated in some states must be further authenticated by the US Department of State. These states include Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Island.
Please see this guide for more details on the process.
3) Get TEFL certificate notarised and authenticated (if required)
Check with your school whether you need to get your TEFL certificate notarised and authenticated. In some cases, if you have sufficient teaching experience for example, you do not need a TEFL certificate for the work visa application.
The process is the same as for your degree diploma, it needs to be notarised in the state or country where it was issued.
4) Get Criminal Background Check, degree and (in some cases) TEFL certificate notarised by the Chinese embassy / consulate
-Submit your criminal background check, degree diploma and (if required) TEFL certificate to be notarised at the Chinese embassy / consulate responsible for the states where the documents were issued. For example: if your university degree is from Indiana, it needs to be notarised at the Chicago consulate.
-You can submit the documents yourself or have a visa agent or trusted person submit them for you
-Consider using a visa agent for this step too. See links above.
5) Medical Check Certificate
You may be required to provide this, however, you may not. Please check with your school to ask if it is required. -Book an appointment with your local doctor -Download and print the form and take it to the doctor’s with you -You might not have to have the blood test, chest x-ray or ECC tests done, please check with your school -Make sure the doctor writes ‘healthy’ and signs at the bottom of the form -Doctor must stamp over your photo on the top right of the form and at the bottom of the form -The health check certificate is valid for 6 months from date it was issued
6) Email notarized and authenticated documents to your school in China
7) School applies for ‘PU letter’ (invitation letter) and work permit notification letter
-Process can take around 3 weeks
8) Apply for China Work Visa at the Chinese embassy / consulate
-List of Chinese embassies and consulates in the US. Your application must be submitted to the embassy / consulate that deals with the State you live in.
-Getting an appointment can be tricky, some of our teachers have used a visa agent to book the appointment for them as they can have a preferential access to appointments. See links at the start of this guide for visa agents.
-Try phoning, emailing and booking an appointment online regularly. Use ‘URGENT’ in your email title. We have heard from teachers who were first told there was along delay for booking an appointment and when they tried again a few days later managed to get an appointment for the following week.
-Please note: we have heard from teachers who have applied for Z, M, or F visas. Once they arrive in China the visa is then converted to a residence permit by the school which allows you to live and work in China. Please check with your school on what type of visa you should apply for.
9) Book flight
-Confirm the target arrival date with your school before booking the flight.
-Make sure you book a flight that is approved to fly to China. Some websites list flights even though they are not approved to fly to China and are therefore likely to be cancelled.
-Here is a list of most of the approved flights to China (scroll down) as of 5 November 2020, be sure to check for an updated list of approved flights
-It is strongly suggested that you book a direct flight rather than one with a stopover. If you have a stopover, you will need to get a new COVID and IgM antibody test within 2 days of boarding your onward flight to China.
-If possible, book a flight that flies between Wednesday and Sunday, as you need to get a COVID PCR and antibody test (see below for more details) within 2 days of your flight, so ideally you don’t want to have to deal with the test center over the weekend.
-Book directly on the airlines website. Using a Chinese airline is also advisable as it may be less likely to be cancelled.
-Alternatively, consider using a travel agent, they can offer flexible dates in case you need to change your flight and we have heard reports that a return flight can be cheaper than a one-way.
–FlightRadar24 is a useful site for checking the flight history of any flight for the last 7 days and for the coming 7 days, so you can check that certain flights actually flew and were not cancelled. Click Data / History at the top and search for the intended flight numbers.
10) Get a PCR nucleic acid COVID test and IgM antibody test within 2 days of flying
-Make sure to self-isolate as much as possible in the weeks before your flight, you don’t want to get COVID and have to cancel your flight
-According to this announcement from the Chinese embassy, starting from 6th November 2020, passengers traveling from The USA to China need to provide: a) negative PCR nucleic acid CVOID test (this is a swab test to test if you have CVOID) b) IgM antibody test (this is a blood test to test if you have antibodies)
– If your flight is on Friday, you can get the PCR and IgM antibody tests done any time on Wednesday
– The test report needs to include: passenger’s name, date of birth, passport number, the testing agency’s address, contact number and email, the date the sample was taken, the date the report was issued and the test results (PCR and IgM results). The passenger’s name has to match their name on their passport.
Both tests have to be conducted within 2 days of boarding the flight to China. Please note, it is not from the date that the test results are issued, but rather from the date the sample was provided for the test. Please make sure to check the latest news from the Chinese embassy and airline to ensure this information is still accurate.
It is strongly recommended that you book a direct flight from the USA to China. If you have to transit in another country on your way to China, you will have to get another negative COVID and IgM antibody test in the transit country before you can board the connecting flight on to China. It will be quite challenging to get the required tests in time.
Please note, you require an IgM antibody test, not an IgG antibody test. IgM is usually the first antibody produced by the immune system when a virus attacks. A positive IgM test indicates that you may have been infected and that your immune system has started responding to the virus. When IgM is detected you may still be infected, or you may have recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection. If you had a COVID infection some time ago, you are unlikely to have levels of IgM antibodies that would disqualify you from flying to China. If you have recently been infected with COVID, you are likely to have IgM antibody levels that disqualify you from flying to China.
-Google options near you. Find one that offers guaranteed results within a certain time frame, so you can be sure you will have the results on time.
11) Email negative nucleic acid COVID and IgM antibody test result to Chinese Embassy
-Complete this health declaration form
-The test report needs to include: passenger’s name, date of birth, passport number, the testng agency’s address, contact number and email, the date the sample was taken, the date the report was issued and the test results (PCR and IgM results). The passenger’s name has to match their name on their passport.
–Email the following to the appropriate Chinese embassy / consulate:
Negative COVID and IgM antibody test result
ID page passport scan
Flight itinerary
Signed, copy of the health declaration form
Passengers must email the scanned copies of their negative results of the nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests along with their passport information page and the signed health declaration form to the Chinese Embassy/Consulates (based on the consular district of the testing place), which will examine and verify the above information and email the certified health declaration form back to the passenger. Passengers are advised to print the form out and present it within its validity period to the airlines flying directly to China before boarding.
For the subject line of your email use “URGENT – HS+passenger name+Date of departure”, e.g. URGENT – HS+Jack Smith+28th October 2020.
-The Chinese embassy will email you with a stamped health declaration form, usually within a few hours or sooner. Print all the documents and certified health declaration and take them to the airport with you.
12) Arrival at the airport
-Get to the airport at least 4 hours before your flight as check in process takes longer than usual.
-Make sure to bring your stamped health declaration form, original negative COVID and IgM antibody test result and passport
-Also bring all your notarized documents (degree, TEFL, criminal background check) as they will be needed to get your residence permit in China
Things to bring: -Passport -Boarding pass -Negative COVID and IgM antibody test result, issued within 2 days of your flight – check specific airline requirements to confirm requirements on this -Printed signed and stamped health declaration form from Chinese embassy -Valid Chinese visa or residency permit -All your notarized documents (degree, TEFL, criminal background check) -Masks & hand sanitiser -Phone with WeChat installed – this is needed for processing on arrival -Download and complete the WeChat mini program ‘Customs Pocket Declaration’ on the WeChat app on your phone – instructions on how to get it here -Enough cash in Chinese RMB to cover the quarantine costs and food or money on WeChat Pay or AliPay if possible -Power bank to ensure your phone has power on arrival -Name and phone number of a contact person in China -Pen -Download a VPN, if you wish, for use in China as they are hard to get once you arrive -Food for the flight – some airlines only provide limited food -Store on your phone, as will be required for forms: passport number, visa number, flight number, seat number, address in China (in Chinese and English), emergency contact in USA, emergency contact person in China and their phone number
13) Quarantine for 14 days on arrival in China
-Once your plane arrives in China you will be taken to a quarantine hotel for your 14 day quarantine. The reports from teachers who have been through it have said things are organized very well, the hotels are of a good quality (similar to what you would expect from a 3 or 4 star hotel stay). They provide 3 meals a day.
