Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are all UK nationals who need to return to working/living in China able to apply or just those who work in certain industries? We understand that this route is designed for those with existing employment visa and a valid residence permit in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangdong, that are deemed business critical to their respective companies. Applications will be judged by the Chinese government on the basis of each individual application.
2. What if my visa/resident permit expired during the time I was out of China and when the border controls began? Your employer will need to contact the local FAO in the first instance for guidance on local requirements. Some of the material needed for the application will need to be prepared before you depart from the UK. After you enter China, your employer will be able to help you to apply for a work permit and then get a resident permit from the PSB (police). If the work permit is close to expiring but still valid, the local FAO will allow your employer to renew it online on your behalf before you physically return to China.
3. If my family member is already in China and I also have a residency permit, why will I only be allowed back in in exceptional circumstances? We understand that this service is designed for and focussed on those that are deemed business critical to their respective companies – rather than on reconnecting families. Therefore we think it likely that applications through this route based on family circumstances will only be successful in exceptional circumstances.
4. Why do I have to go through my employer rather than be able to apply for this on my own? As mentioned, we understand that this route is designed for those that are deemed business critical to their respective companies. Therefore the focus and onus is on those companies to make necessary arrangements through this route.
5. What if I am self-employed through my own WFOE? Application should be submitted by the employer/company (though the FAO may give priority to bigger companies.)
6. Do I have to get a COVID test done in the UK before applying for this? Our understanding is that applications under this service may require individuals to take a COVID-19 test in the UK at the discretion of the Chinese Embassy, and you should be prepared to make necessary arrangements if requested.
7. If approved by the Chinese embassy, how long will the one-off, single entry, time-limited visa be valid for? We understand from conversations with district FAOs that recent applicants have been issued a single entry visa that requires them to arrive in China within thirty days of the application being approved. On arrival in China, we understand that the single entry visa remains valid for 180 days, during which time individuals with previous long-term residence permits or visas that had been temporarily frozen will need to go to their local PSB immigration office to re-activate their frozen permit. The local PSB office will have ultimate decision making authority on whether or not to grant each individual request to remain on a long term basis.
8. What if I cannot get a flight in time before the approved visa expires? We understand that you would be able to apply again.
9. What if my application gets rejected? We understand that you would be able to apply again, if you wish.
10. Given the lack of commercial flights available, will the British Embassy/Consulates be organising charter flights from the UK to China to support Brits in returning? If not, why not? Her Majesty’s Government currently has no plans to arrange charter flights for businesspeople to return to China. The British Chamber of Commerce in China and the China-Britain Business Council are in touch with the business community to scope the demand for this and to explore possible solutions.
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