How Hard Is It to Become a Citizen of China

COVID-19 Information

Last updated: [12/3/2021]

*** Effective November 8, 2021, all non-immigrant, non-U.S. citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.

U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are eligible to travel but are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test one (1) day before their flight. U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test three (3) days before their flight.

Exemptions will be considered on an extremely limited basis.  Please contact your nearest embassy or consulate to apply for an exemption.  Please visit the CDC webpages for more information about exemptions and the requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

Country-Specific Information:

• The People's Republic of China (PRC) has confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders.
• The Department of State maintains a Travel Advisory for China of Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to COVID-19 and arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
• COVID-19 precautions and preventative measures vary from location to location. Grocery stores, restaurants, and hospitals are operating.  Large gatherings are common.
• The U.S. Embassy in Beijing continues to monitor developments related to COVID-19 in the PRC.
• If the PRC government designates an area as medium- or high-risk for COVID, the area may be subject to intensive prevention and control measures, which could include mass testing, closures, transportation disruptions, lockdowns, family separation, or other measures.
• In response to local outbreaks, Chinese authorities have implemented quarantine and testing policies in certain communities and residences. The U.S. Embassy urges all Americans to comply with local authorities' health measures.  Due to the extreme difficulty in transferring from one hospital to another, medical care options may be limited.  If you find yourself in an emergency, please contact the Embassy or nearest Consulate.

COVID-19 Testing:

• Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in China?Yes
  • For a nationwide list of COVID testing centers, please see here (Mandarin): http://gjzwfw.www.gov.cn/fwmh/healthCode/indexNucleic.do
  • For WeChat users, users can select "official accounts (公众号)" and then press the "+" key to search for "city name (本地宝)". Follow the account, type "核酸检测" into the search bar at the bottom of the screen, and then click the hyperlink that leads to a list of all testing locations.
  • For a list that includes testing centers with English service, please see here.
• If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours?Yes
• COVID-19 tests are widely available throughout China. COVID-19 tests are available at most hospitals and clinics. Test results are often returned within 12-24 hours. The cost of the COVID-19 test ranges from $18 to $90 US dollars.
• Test results can be delivered by a variety of methods: email, text, or an update to the local COVID-19 monitoring app are the most common delivery methods.
• Please refer to your local health authorities for more information on COVID-19 testing.
• For information on limited humanitarian exemptions to CDC's requirement that all U.S. bound travelers present a negative COVID test, please review the following page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/covid-19_testing_required_US_Entry.html
• Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis and will only be considered when the country of departure lacks adequate COVID-19 testing capacity.   To submit information in support of an exemption, email:
  • Beijing Consular District: BeijingACS@state.gov
  • Guangzhou Consular District: GuangzhouACS@state.gov
  • Shanghai Consular District: ShanghaiACS@state.gov
  • Shenyang Consular District: ShenyangACS@state.gov

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

• Has the government of China approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use?Yes
• Are vaccines available in China for U.S. citizens to receive?Yes
  • The Chinese government has conditionally authorized several different vaccines that are currently available to foreigners residing in China. The two most commonly available, Sinopharm and Sinovac, have not yet received approval by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States. Sinopharm and Sinovac have received approval for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). Please contact your local health authorities for information on available vaccines.
• Which vaccines are available in China?The Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines.
  • U.S. citizens abroad should consult with medical providers they trust, and review information published by relevant public health authorities, as they consider their options for accessing a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Your decision to be vaccinated is a choice between you and your medical provider. The U.S. Embassy is unable to provide medical advice.
  • To date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued emergency use authorizations for only three vaccines for domestic use, those developed and manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
  • Visit the FDA's website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
  • The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. For more information, please review COVID-19 Vaccine Information for U.S. Citizens Abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?Yes.
  • China currently allows foreign nationals with valid residence permits and visas to enter the country under certain very limited conditions. The U.S. Embassy has no say in these policies, and these are subject to change at any time.
  • As of December 23, 2020, travelers must complete PCR NAT and IgM antibody tests in the departure city. Please follow guidance on the PRC Embassy website to identify approved labs.
• Is a negative COVID-19 test required for entry?Yes.
  • All inbound passengers are required to quarantine for at least 14 days upon arrival. Testing upon arrival and for release from quarantine may include blood tests, as well as oral, nasal, and anal swab tests.
• On March 15, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in the United States announced updated visa facilitation procedures for certain applicants inoculated with Chinese COVID-19 vaccines. Please see the PRC Embassy website (Chinese language only) for more information.
• On April 16, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., announced new procedures for vaccinated travelers to China.  Please see the Chinese Embassy in Washington website (Chinese language only) for more information.
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?Yes.
• All Chinese visa related questions should be directed to the local Chinese Exit-Entry Bureau (EEB).
• U.S. citizens in China on a visa or residence permit may contact the nearest office of the EEB to apply for an extension. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis.
• In the event the local situation deteriorates, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates may have limited availability to provide assistance to U.S. nationals within China. The United States is not offering evacuation flights from China at this time.

Movement Restrictions:

• Is a curfew in place?No
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel?No
  • Travelers may need to wear a mask, download health tracking apps on their cell phone, or provide personal contact information to take public transportation, travel domestically, or access tourist locations or other public spaces.
  • If an area of China has a resurgence of cases, local authorities may restrict intercity and interstate travel.

Quarantine Information:

• Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?Yes
  • All travelers, including U.S. citizens who enter China, are screened upon arrival and subject to a minimum 14-day quarantine. While restrictions around domestic travel within China have eased, local quarantine requirements can vary significantly between cities, and regulations can change very quickly.  All international arrivals should be prepared to complete quarantine at a government-selected facility or hotel at their own expense, with no control over the amenities, even if they maintain a residence in China.  Cities and provinces within China may also require quarantine for domestic travelers, regardless of nationality.
  • It is unlikely that local authorities will notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your quarantine. If you are placed in quarantine, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate with your name, passport number, and location.
• U.S. citizens may also be required to install and use location-tracking software on their phones to access public spaces and businesses. Some private hospitals may refuse admittance to travelers who have been in the United States 14 days prior to entering China.  Please consult local authorities on specific quarantine requirements.
• U.S. citizens in China should follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Chinese health authorities' guidance for prevention, signs and symptoms, and treatment.

Transportation Options:

• Are commercial flights operating?Yes
  • Commercial flights between the U.S. and China are available, but limited. Travelers should contact airlines directly for information about flight options and be prepared for the implementation of travel restrictions with little to no advance notice.  Flight delays and cancellations are possible; the U.S. Embassy and Consulates hold no discretion over these decisions.
• Is public transportation operating?Yes
  • Requirements vary from city to city. People taking public transportation or commercial flights should be prepared to wear a mask and may be required to download health tracking apps or provide personal contact information in order to travel.

Fines for Non-Compliance: (if applicable)

• Given China's arbitrary enforcement of laws, anyone deemed incompliant with local health regulations may be subject to fines and/or arrest.

Consular Operations:

• The Embassy and Consulates are currently offering routine services for U.S. citizens including:
  • Passport renewals
  • Assistance with lost passports
  • Notarial services
  • Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
• The Embassy and Consulates are offering extremely limited visa services at this time. For more information including contact information, visit our visa page.

Local Resources:

• State Council of PRC COVID-19 Webpage
• Other links:
  • COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
  • CDC page on COVID-19
  • China Travel Information
  • Medium- and High-Risk Areas – Summary Map and Table (PDF 144KB)

How Hard Is It to Become a Citizen of China

Source: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/covid-19-information/

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