Immigration alert with updates for China and Switzerland
Asia-Pacific
China: Prior approval required for passengers with valid Work/Dependent Residence Permits
Passengers with Work/Dependent-type Residence Permits issued in China, and flying from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Chicago, now need prior approval from the Consulate to obtain the green health QR code required for boarding their flight.
Approval requirements via email:
- Passport
- Residence permit copy
- Reason(s) for going to China
- Any other relevant supporting documents
Only upon obtaining the email confirmation from the Consulate should they take the Nucleic Acid+IgM Antibody test.
The above does not apply to holders of entry visas issued after March 26, 2020.
The Embassy in Washington and the Consulate in New York are yet to follow.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, San Francisco (Chinese) and Chicago (Chinese) .
Further adjustments made to China’s entry policy
The Chinese embassies in various countries have released the following general adjustments to their entry policy into China effective immediately.
- Visa/Proof of residency and travel itinerary must be provided in addition to test results when applying for the Health Code. For example, a Swede planning to take the Copenhagen-Shanghai flight must provide proof of Danish residency (e.g. social security card/sundhedskort).
- Health Codes will not be granted for passengers from a third country that has direct flights to China regardless of entry via land, sea and air.
- Passengers from countries without direct flights to China will be permitted one transit and must obtain a Health Code in their origin country and departure city. They may be asked for proof of residency in their country origin.
- A Luxembourger must take a direct journey to a nearby country to get a direct flight to China and will not be permitted to have any stopovers in between.
- Brazilians should be present in a third country for a period of 14 days before their entry to China.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Brazil (Chinese), Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Indonesia, Kazakhstan (Chinese), Luxembourg (French), Los Angeles (Chinese), Mexico (Chinese), Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal (Chinese), San Francisco (Chinese), Singapore, Spain (Chinese), Sweden (Chinese), Switzerland, Turkey and United Arab Emirates (Chinese).
Covid-19 vaccinations and test results
Vaccinated passengers:
Passengers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 are required to upload their vaccination certificates when applying for the Health Code for flights to China regardless of their Nucleic Acid and IgM Antibody test results. Vaccinated passengers are still obliged to quarantine upon arriving in China under the mandatory centralized rules.
14-day isolation prior to flight:
All passengers to China should quarantine in a single room for 14 days prior to departure. Some countries even require a negative nucleic acid test from a designated institution prior to starting the 14-day quarantine. Those who have normal body temperature, and no respiratory symptoms, may take the required Nucleic Acid and IgM Antibody tests at designated institutions within 48 hours of the flight. The Chinese Embassy/Consulate will grant the Health Declaration Code, with some adding the caveat ”on the basis of the numerical value of the test results (e.g. Nucleic Acid Test CT value must be under 40)”.
Some countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa require a “dual double-negative” – the Nucleic Acid and IgM Antibody tests must be taken at two separate testing institutions (there will be a total of four test reports).
This applies to all passengers from Algeria, Egypt, Chinese citizens working for a Chinese project, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
Positive test results and history of Covid-19 infection:
Passengers who have a confirmed infection history or anyone with positive Nucleic Acid, IgM or IgG results (except those arising from vaccination) must follow the guidelines below:
- Obtain the following at least two weeks before the intended flight (actual date will vary by country):
- Two negative Nucleic Acid test certificates from two separate designated testing institutions; tests should be taken at least 24 hours apart.
- Lung CT or X-ray at a local hospital.
- Email the above test results to the Chinese embassy for review (some countries).
- Undertake a 14-day self-quarantine prior to the flight.
- Undergo a double-negative Nucleic Acid+IgM Antibody test at a designated testing institution 48 hours before flight.
- Apply for the Health Declaration Code.
This applies to individuals from the Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands and the U.S. (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago).
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in the Czech Republic (Chinese), Algeria (Chinese), Egypt (Chinese), Finland, France (Chinese), Indonesia, Los Angeles (Chinese), Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, San Francisco (Chinese), Sweden (Chinese) and South Africa (Chinese).
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Switzerland: Consultation on the Mobility of Service Providers
The Federal Council opened the consultation on the Agreement between Switzerland and the U.K. on the Mobility of Service Providers. Agreement will ensure mutual, easier access for service providers following the abolition of the Free Movement Agreement between Switzerland and the U.K. The consultation will last until April 30, 2021.
Read here to find out what this means for the U.K. and Switzerland.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Federal Council.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
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