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China Reopening Borders For International Flights From 8 Countries

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China has announced that Beijing will be reopening to international flights from 8 countries ending 5 months of lock-down in the Chinese capital.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China said that it would reopen to the countries based on their low rate of COVID-19.

Update: October 18th: A limited number of international flights are flying into Beijing. Other international passenger flights to Beijing continue to be diverted to 16 designated airports in Chengdu, Changsha, Hefei, Lanzhou, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Hohhot, Jinan, Qingdao, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Zhengzhou, Xi’an and Wuhan. A small number of international flights are also operating direct between European cities and Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao.

Beijing Capital International Airport during the outbreak of Corona virus

Countries Permitted To Enter China By Air

The following countries will be permitted to fly into Beijing, China. 

  • Canada
  • Thailand
  • Cambodia
  • Pakistan
  • Greece
  • Denmark
  • Austria
  • Sweden 

The only passengers permitted to board the flights will be citizens of the country of the flight’s origin or Chinese citizens. 

Foreign nationals holding valid Chinese Residence Permits of the following three categories can enter China without an additional visa application:

  • work
  • personal matters
  • reunion
The Forbidden City in Beijing

Quarantine Upon Arrival In China

All passengers arriving in Beijing will face a mandatory 14 day quarantine at a state-run facility on the outskirts of Beijing, according to the Chinese government. 

COVID-19 Testing Protocols For Entering China

All arriving passengers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 3 days before you travel. This rule has been tightened from the previous 5 days. 

At the end of the 14 day quarantine, travelers will be tested for COVID-19 again and then be permitted to leave the facility if the result is negative. 

Travelers will then have to report their temperature to authorities for an additional 7 days.

Beijing, China at the Imperial City north gate

Passenger Limits Arriving in China

The Chinese government stated that service will be capped at 500 passengers per flight and a maximum of 1000 inbound international travelers per day. 

According to SCMP, The Civil Aviation Administration of China has said that if any inbound flight has more than 5 cases, the service will be suspended for a week. If any flight confirms more than 10 cases, service will be suspended for 4 weeks. 

Bronze lion in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing Forbidden City
Bronze lion in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing Forbidden City

The first flight is scheduled to arrive today from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

It will be the first international flight arriving in Beijing since the capital locked down back in late March. 

In the Beihai Park in Beijing China

Visa Required For Most Countries To Visit China

Most countries require a valid visa before traveling to Beijing, China.

Passengers must apply for a visa if required at the Chinese consulate/embassy before traveling to China. 

Only select visas are being issued at this time and China is NOT open for general tourism. 

Visa policy china
Visa Policy of China (Image: CC Wikipedia)

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Disclaimer: China entry requirements can change without notice and are being updated constantly. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse travelling against government advisories.

Sources: UK GOV / SCMP


Lawal Saheed kolawole

Friday 15th of July 2022

Where expected to allow nigeria can travel to china

Ray Ruo

Friday 27th of November 2020

I am Nigerian, my ex wife was Chinese citizen and we have 2 children that were under my custody. Both have Chinese passport, we want to return to China is it possible for me to come in with them as China is not open entry for Nigerian

Kashlee Kucheran

Saturday 28th of November 2020

Hello - With such an important question, especially involving children, you should really contact the Chinese consulate to get the most official information. Good luck!

enzo colonna

Friday 13th of November 2020

I have a 10 year J visa, ( not to confuse with J-1 or J-2, which for press) Can i travel to China, I used many time and I can stay up to 6 days...if not any idea as to when ??

Kashlee Kucheran

Saturday 14th of November 2020

Sorry we really don't know. China has been one of the harder countries to report on, as the information isn't always very clear

michael

Sunday 25th of October 2020

hi i have a 10 year chinese q2 visa when can i travel to china? is there any way that i can travel asap?

Kashlee Kucheran

Monday 26th of October 2020

It would be best to ask local officials, like Chinese border police or the Chinese consulate

Vasilis Oikonomou

Saturday 17th of October 2020

Still for this countries you mentioned, Pu letter is necessary?

Kashlee Kucheran

Saturday 17th of October 2020

We believe all data is current in this article, but you can always check with local authorities