Recently, the official website of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States published a notice regarding the requirement for passengers traveling to China to undergo both nucleic acid and serum IgM antibody tests for COVID-19, effective from 00:00 on November 6, 2020, Pacific Standard Time. Passengers departing from the United States must present a negative nucleic acid test certificate and a negative serum IgM antibody test certificate (hereinafter referred to as "serum IgM antibody test") to apply for and obtain a green health code marked with "HS" or a health declaration form.
Chinese citizens planning to return to the country should note:
1. For passengers taking direct flights (not transiting through a third country) from the United States to China, they must complete nucleic acid and serum IgM antibody tests within 48 hours before boarding at testing institutions in the United States, and after obtaining negative test certificates, apply for and obtain a green health code marked with "HS" or a health declaration form from the Chinese embassy or consulate in the United States based on the location of the nucleic acid test, according to the consular district.
2. For passengers departing from the United States and transiting through a third country to China, they must undergo the first nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test in the United States, and the second nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test in the transit country (the country of departure for direct flights to China), and apply for and obtain a green health code marked with "HS" or a health declaration form from the Chinese embassy or consulate in the United States and the embassy or consulate in the country of the last direct flight to China.
The first test conducted in the United States must be completed within 48 hours before boarding the flight to leave the United States, and a negative certificate for the nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test must be obtained. The second test conducted in the last direct flight's transit country must be completed within 48 hours before boarding the transit flight, and a negative certificate for the nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test must be obtained.
3. For passengers departing from a third country and transiting through the United States to China, currently, major airports in the United States do not have testing capabilities. It is advisable to choose transit flights to China with caution. If it is necessary to transit through the United States, be sure to understand the temporary entry restrictions for foreigners implemented in the United States, obtain a U.S. visa, and undergo the second nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test after entering the United States, applying for and obtaining a green health code marked with "HS" or a health declaration form from the Chinese embassy or consulate in the United States. If you transit through the United States without meeting the boarding requirements, you will face a high risk of being stranded or even being returned to your point of departure.
Chinese citizens applying for the green health code marked with "HS"
1. After obtaining a negative certificate for the nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test, Chinese citizens should promptly fill out their personal information through the international version of the epidemic prevention health code mini-program and upload the negative certificates for the nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test.
2. The Chinese embassy and consulates in the United States will review the applications based on the location of the nucleic acid test according to the consular district, and eligible passengers will receive a green health code marked with "HS".
3. Airlines operating direct flights to China will verify passengers based on the green health code marked with "HS" issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country of departure. Please travel within the validity period of the health code and cooperate with the airline's verification.
Foreign citizens applying for a health declaration form
1. After obtaining a negative certificate for both the nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test, foreign citizens should submit a scanned copy of their valid passport data page, the negative test certificate, and the signed health declaration form according to the requirements of the relevant consulate based on the location of the nucleic acid test, as soon as possible.
2. Foreign citizens should submit the "Health Declaration Form" application materials to the Chinese embassy or consulate in the United States.
3. After the Chinese embassy or consulate approves the application, they will send a scanned copy of the certified health declaration form to the applicant via email. The applicant must print it out and carry it with them.
4. Airlines operating direct flights to China will verify passengers based on the health declaration form issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate in the place of departure. Please travel within the validity period of the health declaration form and cooperate with the airline's verification during boarding.
Special Reminder
1. Please make proper arrangements for your trip to China. If you are unable to obtain the required negative certificates for the nucleic acid test and serum IgM antibody test, and do not hold a green health code marked with "HS" or a health declaration form before boarding, you will not meet the boarding requirements and will need to rearrange or adjust your travel plans.
2. To facilitate testing, the Chinese embassy and consulates in the United States have not designated or authorized specific testing institutions. Please inquire and confirm the testing methods, report contents, efficiency, and fees with the testing institutions on your own.
3. Passengers on non-direct flights need to undergo two tests. Given that many major transit airports from the United States to China do not have testing capabilities, it is advisable to choose transit flights to China with caution. Transit passengers should check the notifications on the local embassy or consulate's website, be aware of the relevant requirements and policy adjustments regarding nucleic acid and serum IgM antibody tests in the transit country, and obtain an entry visa in advance if necessary, to avoid situations where timely and effective testing cannot be conducted, resulting in the inability to obtain valid health codes or health declaration forms, or even being stranded locally.
4. Currently, very few international airports in the United States have rapid testing capabilities, and testing institutions within the United States are relatively scattered, with no guarantee of testing duration. Please consider carefully before transiting through the United States to China.
If you have plans to return to China soon, please be sure to confirm the relevant policies with the Chinese embassies and consulates in the United States and the airlines before making travel arrangements to avoid unnecessary losses and troubles. WorldWay Immigration Group will continue to monitor the latest situation and share updates with everyone in a timely manner.
2020 Health Planning Year, Health Planning, Identity First! For more details, please call the hotline: Mainland China: 400-138-2929 Hong Kong: (852)2802 8798.
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