Immigration updates for China, Japan, Philippines and Singapore
Asia-Pacific
China: Quarantine requirements before a flight to China
All arrivals should be self-isolated before departure to qualify for a green Health Declaration Code to board a flight to China. In addition, a self-declared Health Monitoring/Commitment Form or a Quarantine Certificate issued by their employers must be uploaded as part of the process of obtaining the HDC code to board the flight.
Some countries expect additional PCR testing in addition to the standard PCR+IgM antibody testing 48 hours before the departure flight. This additional PCR test should be done at a different testing institution than the one doing the standard PCR+IgM test and some countries also ask for IgG test results. Click here to find additional information on the requirements with links to the various embassies.
Those with history of infection or are close contacts of suspected or confirmed cases should follow a different procedure to obtain the HDC code. Generally, this will involve the following extra steps:
- Lung X-ray/CT scan and two PCR tests 24 hours apart – the exact timing depends on the embassy in question.
- Pre-review by the embassy – only for some countries.
- Self-isolation before the departure flight – usually no less than 14 days (arrivals from San Francisco, three months).
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Chinese Embassies globally.
Chinese Residence Permit holders
In 2020, the Chinese embassies of several affected countries had released official announcements on the respective official embassy websites suspending the entry into China for holders of valid Work and Dependent type Residence Permits. Applicants either had to obtain a new entry visa or at least prior consular permission to board the flight to China. As of present writing, the following adjustments have been made:
| France | Holders of valid Work and Dependent type Residence Permits can travel to China without needing to apply for a new entry visa (no need for proof of vaccination) |
| USA (Chicago and San Francisco) | Holders of valid Work and Dependent type Residence Permits can travel to China without needing to apply for a new entry visa (no need for proof of vaccination) |
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, France and San Francisco (Chinese and English written sources).
Japan: Extension of state of emergency
Following our last update, the Japanese government has extended the state of emergency in Aichi, Chiba, Fukuoka, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Mie, Okinawa, Osaka, Saitama, Shiga, Shizuoka and Tokyo until September 30, 2021.
The priority preventative measures in Fukushima, Ishikawa, Kagoshima, Kagawa, Kunamoto, Miyagi and Miyazaki until September 30, 2021.
All other travel restrictions remain in place.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Cabinet Secretariat.
Philippines: Lifting of travel restrictions
Since September 06, 2021, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has lifted the travel restrictions on the following 10 countries pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 136: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the UAE, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
However, the countries mentioned above shall be categorized into three classifications, and all travelers coming from the countries are subject to the appropriate entry, testing and quarantine protocols depending on their “Listing”.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Republic of the Philippines.
Singapore: Update on border measures
As per our last update, all inbound travelers from categories II, III and IV must have a negative pre-departure COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result taken within 48 before departure to enter or transit through Singapore.
Category II: Travelers from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Republic of Korea (ROK).
Category III: Travelers from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority.
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).
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