China Travel Restrictions 2023 - Updated Dec. 27, 2022

According to the notice issued by the China CDC on December 26：Starting from January 8, 2023, no quarantine anymore for expats come to China from 8th Jan 2023. Read on to know more about 2023 China travel restrictions.

Will China Open Its Borders In 2022?

According to China travel restrictions 2022, China will still retain its tight border restrictions. Most foreigners are still not allowed to enter China.

According to the latest policy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Immigration Administration of China, a small group of foreign nationals is allowed to enter the country.

Who Can Enter China Now?

In order to reduce cross-border transmission of COVID-19, China has temporarily suspended entry by foreign nationals holding valid visas issued before March 28th, 2020. But three groups of foreigners can enter China at this moment:

• Foreigners who hold one of the three categories of valid Chinese residence permits for work, reunion, and personal matters.
• Foreigners holding Chinese diplomatic, service, courtesy, or C visa.
• Foreigners holding a new China visa (issued after March 28, 2020) only for work or humanitarian needs, such as visiting a seriously ill family member.

China’s Travel Restrictions in 2022

In the pandemic period, if you are a Chinese citizen or a foreign national residing in Chinese mainland, you can travel around normally from December of 2022.

Travel Restrictions for Travelers Residing in China

No restrictions on movement or quarantine for travel between different provinces of China now.

Click for more information on China Domestic Travel Restrictions 2022 - Updated Aug.4, 2022.

Tibet Travel Restrictions 2022 - Updated Aug.22, 2022.

Xinjiang Travel Restrictions 2022 - Updated Aug.22, 2022.

Travel Restrictions for Inbound Travelers

Passengers traveling to China must get their samples for the nucleic acid rt-PCR and IgM serum antibody tests collected at the departure city of their direct flight to China. Upon receiving the reports, passengers need to apply for a health code from the Chinese Embassy or the Consulate-General, travel before it expires, and be prepared for checking by the airlines before boarding.

1. Take 1 negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours before boarding.

2. Fill out a Personal Health Monitoring Form.  

3. Submit 1 negative nucleic acid test certificate, a Personal Health Monitoring Form, and a Letter of Commitment on COVID-19 Vaccination on the China Health Declaration Certificate website for applying for a health code. If you are fully vaccinated, you should apply for the health code 14 days after the last required shot. 

4. If the result is negative, you will get a Health Declaration Code (HDC) from the website within 3 hours.

Latest Hong Kong Travel Restrictions

Hong Kong will adjust "0+0" restriction policy, no longer require mandatory hotel quarantine or home quarantine for overseas arrivals, from Dec.14.

What are the Requirements to Enter Hong Kong?

• 1. Complete full vaccination.
• 2. A negative nucleic acid test report within 48 hours before boarding. Arrange rapid antigen tests within 48 hours before scheduled departure time yourselves. And then report negative results to Department of Heath online.
• 3. After entry, the quarantine arrangement is changed to "0+0", which means that there is no compulsory quarantine or home quarantine. All arrivals including those who test negative.
• 4. To implement a "test release" arrangement at the Hong Kong International Airport, which means that there is no need to wait at the airport for the results of nucleic acid testing.

Can Foreign Travelers in Hong Kong Enter the Chinese Mainland?

Yes. Foreign nationals who work in the Chinese Mainland or who need to visit family can apply for a visa to enter the Mainland. Quarantine at a designated hotel is needed depending on different cities' policies. There are 2 ways to get to Chinese mainland from Hong Kong, by land, and by plane. 

1. By Land - Procedure Required for Hong Kong to Enter the Mainland

Health Station Appointment

There are limited quotes of 2800 reservations per day, and best to make an appointment one week in advance. A green code will be generated on the day of clearance, and a screenshot needs to be saved.

Click here to Make a Health Station Appointment

Black Code

Search for the "海关旅客指尖服务" small program on WeChat, select "Entry Information", and fill in the information to automatically generate, this is valid for 24 hours.

On the day of entry mainland

Inbound passenger track pass, which is only used in the last step of customs clearance. It can be filled in customs.

2. By Plane - How to Book Flight Tickets from Hong Kong to Mainland?

Why is it hard to search for tickets from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland? 

Foreign visitors frequently ask why I cannot or hard to find out flight tickets from Hong Kong to Chinese mainland online. That's because flight tickets from Hong Kong to Chinese mainland are not available every day. Moreover, most flights are chartered and can only be sold offline, during this period. 

China Travel is an experienced local agency in China. We can not only arrange tours, train tickets, and domestic flight tickets in China and South Asia but also book international flight tickets for clients. You can always trust China Travel which can offer you a reliable international flight ticket booking service, and also make the procedure of international flight ticket booking convenient. We take care of everything for you.

To get more information about flying from Hong Kong to China, please read this article: How to Fly to China - Best Way to Book International Flight tickets to China

Macao Travel Restrictions

Here are the latest travel restrictions for travelers visiting Macao:

Who Can Enter Macao?

• Macao residents
• Travelers who reside in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
• Foreign nationals for business, study, and humanitarian needs who have been in the Chinese Mainland for 21 days before entering Macao.

All travelers must have proof of a negative result for the COVID-19 test issued no more than 48 before departure. 

China's Current Entry Policy

From Jan 8, 2023, China will no longer require mandatory centralized quarantine or home quarantine any more.

How to Enter China:

• 1. Ensure you have a valid visa or a valid Residence Permit in accordance with the latest entry policies.
• Take nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests within 48 hours before boarding the flight.
• If travelers get a negative COVID-19 test result, you can board the flights to Chinese mainland. Just fill out a China Health Declaration Certificate.
• If travelers get a positive COVID-19 test result, you cannot board the flights to Chinese mainland until your test result turns negative. 

China Travel Restrictions for U.S. Citizens

Travelers from the United States with valid residence permits and visas are allowed to enter China. As of Jan 8, 2023, travelers from the United States and Canada are no longer required to take mandatory quarantine after landing in Chinese mainland.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Citizens

• Within 48 hours before boarding, passengers are required to take 1 time nucleic acid rt-PCR tests, no matter fully vaccinated or not. IgM antibody test is not mandatory. 
• Submit negative nucleic acid test certificate, personal information, and a Letter of Commitment to COVID-19 Vaccination on the China Health Declaration Certificate website.

Are There Any Other Asian Countries Open for Traveling?

It has been about three years since COVID-19 emerged, with almost every country affected by the pandemic. But more countries are deciding to safely reopen their borders to travelers once again, including several Asian countries.

Asian Countries Open for Travel

• Singapore: all fully vaccinated travelers can enjoy quarantine-free travel to Singapore with simplified COVID-19 measures in place.
• Malaysia: fully-vaccinated inbound travelers are no longer required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 tests.
• Thailand: open to fully vaccinated travelers from around the world. Thailand Pass registration is being removed by July 1.
• India: open to fully vaccinated international tourists.
• Sri Lanka: open to international travelers who have completed that second dose of COVIV-19 vaccine, with a few travel restrictions.
• The Maldives: open to travelers from around the world who have negative COVID-19 PCR test results performed 96 hours before departure.
• Vietnam: open to fully vaccinated international travelers, RT-PCR test + visa + travel insurance are accepted for entry.
• Indonesia: partially opened Bali and Riau Islands to travelers from 19 countries.
• Cambodia: open to foreign travelers from around the world.
• South Korea: open to international travelers with negative COVID-19 PCR test results performed 72 hours before departure.

Plan a trip to Asia? Contact us for customizing a fantastic holiday!

What Should I do if COVID-19 Outbreaks during Travel?

1. Stay at your hotel and call your doctor if you feel unwell: Isolate yourself at home if you feel unwell to avoid contact with others; when you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

2. Keep calm: Stay informed on the latest information about COVID-19. Follow the advice given by your healthcare provider, including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement, and gatherings.

Recommended China Tours for Expats

As the policies changed frequently over the course of pandemics, the rules are different from place to place in China to react to the pandemic situation. Plan a tour with a trustful local tour provider will ensure you a safe and pleasant tour, and always get up to date on travel restrictions of the place you travel. 

Low-Risk Travel Destinations with Amazing Culture and Sceneries

• 8-Day Memories of Xinjiang Tour
• 8-Day Tibet Mt.Everest Tour
• 8-Day Authentic Yunnan Discovery

We can also customize your own trip based on your group size, budget, interests, preferences, and other requirements. Please contact us.

Amid the coronavirus crisis, any customer who has booked a trip with us can cancel or reschedule it for free.