COVID-19 – Updated 28 Feb 2021

Upadted 28 Feb 2021: The Chinese Embassy/ Official visa cetnre will be re-opening Mid-March. Application made with Mandarin Visa will have priority and we are now starting to accept new applications. Contact us ([email protected] or +44-020-3538-2848) for more information.

HS certificate is switiched to QR code now and the Embassy may require an outbound flight ticket from travellers. 2x Covid tests (IgM and PCR test) are required and Mandarin Visa is now teaming up with Corona test Centre to faciliate the process.

The followings are expired updates:
Updated 7 Jan 2021: The Chinese Visa Appication Service Centre in the UK will suspend operations followed by lockdown in England. Visa Applications and Authentications service suspended until further notice but doucments / applications submitted via Mandarin Visa will have priority after the visa centre re-opens.

Updated 16 Nov 2020: The Chinese Embassy/ visa centre in the UK will only accept applications made with a “PU letter” issued after 3 Nov 2020. Q1/Q2 visa applications are open for humanitarian purpose only and traveller will need to provide a notice from hospital/ death certificate fron China to show their immediate family member is in severe condition. The official visa centre will operate with very limited service to accept legalisations.

From 5 Nov 2020 travellers with valid residence permit will not be allowed to re-enter China until further notice.

From 5 Nov 2020 the Embassy in the UK will not issue “HS Certificate” for UK passport holders until further notice – with exceptions of diplomatic/ courtesy/ crew visa holders.

Updated 5 Nov 2020: Followed with UK national lockdown the Chinese Embassy/ visa centre in the UK will not accept most visa applications until further notice. Q1/Q2 visa applications are open for humanitarian purpose only and traveller will need to provide a notice from hospital/ death certificate fron China to show their immediate family member is in severe condition. The official visa centre will operate with very limited service to accept legalisations.

From 18 June 2020 the Official Chinese Visa Application centre will re-open to accept a very small number of visa applications & legalisation/ authentications request. However they’ll need additional supporting documents:

For Chinese visa application:
– An “Invitation letter of Duly Authorised Unit (PU letter)” issued by a local Chinese Foreign Office. Traveller should be in touch with their Chinese partners as they’ll need to contact their local Foreign Office in obtaining the letter.
– Valid work permit holders with expired residence permit (expires after 28/3/2020) may submit a new visa application (updated 23/9/20), however restrictions apply – email us ([email protected]) for more information.
– Currrent Residence Permit holders can re-enter China now: see https://mandarinvisa.co.uk/visa-for-current-residence-permit-holders-china-aug2020/
– Submissions need to book in advance and processing time will be longer than usual.

For Legalisation/ authentication from Chinese Embassy in the UK:
– Submissions need to book in advance; however processing time will be longer than usual.
– FCO is opening for business accounts – contact us ([email protected]) to start your process now.

With the latest COVID-19 situation we have decided to:

  • Starting to resume service, though the full service wont be resume until at least September (in line with Embassy’s reopening.
  • ALL team members are sent home – although they’ll have access to tel/ email.
  • We will revise our opening hours once we have further information from the Chinese Embassy/ FCO/ UK Gov’t.
  • The above arrangements will stay until further notice.

    • Chinese Visa – Opening Times

    The Chinese Embassy in the UK will revise their opening hours and visa processing time from 20 March 2020:

    1. Opening hourse will be Tuesdays & Thursdays ONLY.
    2. Processing time will be changed to 1 week / 2 week service, however the actual processing time will be significantly longer.

    Compulsory Covid Test Before Departure / 核酸檢測 – HS Certificate / QR 健康碼

    Chinese visa – From 21 Aug 2020, all travellers entering China from the UK (incl direct/ indirect flights) will need to provide a “HS (Health Statement) Certificate” issued by the Chinese Embassy in the UK, which can be done by submitting 1. nucleic acid test; and 2. serum-specific IgM antibodies test (updated 30 /10/2020)a covid test (nucleic acid test) result. Without the HS certificate travellers will not be able to get onboard to any flights into mainland China from the UK.

    Below are expired updates:

    Updated 7 Jan 2021: HS certificate switched to QR code and traveller are advised to provide an outbound flight ticket as supporting document. QR code only available for direct flights only. Two tests should completed within 48hrs before boarding.
    Mandarin Visa is partnering with Corona Test Centre to provide 2x covid tests before deaprture. After tests report will be sent directly from Corona Test Centre to us for QR code. Contact us ([email protected]) for more details.

    Updated 5/11/20: The Embassy in the UK will stop issuing HS Certificate for UK passport holders (with exceptions of diplomatic, courtesy, crew visa holders).

    Updated 30/10/20: From 7 Nov 2020 the Embassy in the UK will not proceed HS certificate request if travellers are transitting via a third country.

    The two tests should be completed within 48hrs (updated 30/10/20) 72hrs before the passenger boarding (e.g. if you’re travelling on 30 Aug you should provide a Covid test result dated no earlier than 28 Aug). The embassies and consulates in the UK have no special requirements for hospitals and testing institutions, and passengers can choose according to their own circumstances.

    Mandarin Visa provides Covid test submission service – charges will be £50 per doucment and the processing time will be approx 24hrs (excl holidays). You could submit your test result at https://mandarinvisa.co.uk/mandarin-visa-order-form-covid-test-notification/ and we will process your request asap.

    Please feel free to contact us ([email protected] / Tel: +44-020-3538-2848 for any further information.

    FAQ:

  • Printout of Test Report & HS Certificate is recommended.
  • All travellers will need to obtain QR code before travelling. Travellers aged under 5yrs will not need to take a Covid test if he/she is flying into China on a direct flight. HS Certificate & travellers should contact the airlines for further information if he/she is travelling on an indirect flight. (Updated 30/10/20)
  • Antibody test will not be accepted and the Embassy will only accept a nucleic acid test report (PCR) for HS certificate (Updated 30/10/20).
  • Travellers will need to quarantine for 14 + 7 days upon arrival.(Updated 7/1/21)

    • 最新消息

    核酸檢測 – HS Certificate 及小程序QR 健康碼

    從2020年8月21日開始，從英國進入中國的旅客都需要提供由中國駐英國大使館簽發的“ HS（健康聲明）證書”，提交過程需要提供新型肺炎(1.核酸檢測2.血清特異性IgM抗體測試（於2020年10月30日更新）)結果。沒有HS證書的話將無法登機。

    2021年1月7日更新：HS證書已轉換為QR碼，建議旅客提供出境機票作為補充文件。 QR碼僅為從英國出發的直航機乘客簽發，使館並要求登機前48小時內應完成兩項測試。
    Mandarin Visa正在與Corona Test Centre合作提供2種covid測試。 測試報告將直接從實驗室發送給我們，及後轉發至使館獲取QR碼。 申請人可以聯繫我們（[email protected]）了解更多詳情。

    20/10/30更新：從2020年11月7日起，如果旅行者通過第三國過境，英國大使館將不再進行HS證書申請。

    核酸測試應在乘客登機前48小時內完成（例如，如果您在11月30日登機，則應提供日期不早於11月28日的兩項測試結果）。駐英使領館對醫院和檢測機構沒有特殊要求，旅客可以根據自己的情況選擇。

    Mandarin Visa提供Covid/ HS Certificate 服務-每份文件收費50英鎊，處理時間約為24小時（節假日除外）。您可以在https://mandarinvisa.co.uk/mandarin-visa-order-form-covid-test-notification/上提交測試結果，我們將盡快處理您的請求。

    請隨時與我們聯繫（[email protected] /電話：+ 44-020-3538-2848)以獲取更多信息。

    常問問題：

  • 建議打印測試報告和HS證書。
  • 所有旅客在登機前均需提供QR 健康碼。（更新7/1/21）
  • 抗體測試將不被接受，使館僅接受HS證書的核酸測試報告（PCR）（30/10/20更新）。
  • 旅客抵達中國後將需要隔離14+7天。(7/1/21更新)

    • Visa for Current/ Expired Residence Permit Holders – Chinese Visa Application – Nov 2020

    Updated 5 Nov 2020: Followed by the UK national lockdown the Embassy/ visa centre in the UK will not process any visa applications until further notice. Rules re: valid residence permit issued on 14 Oct 2020 will be suspended – i.e. travellers with valid residence permit will not be able to re-enter China until further notice.

    The followings are expired notice:

    Updated 23 Sept 2020: Starting from 28 Sept 2020 the Chinese border will re-open to those who has a valid residence permit (work, family reunion). Travellers with valid residence permit (for study) still not be able to re-enter. Traveller with 1.expired residence permit and 2.valid work permit may be eligible for a new visa application, please contact us ([email protected]) for more information.

    Updated 14 Oct 2020: The Embassy also opened S1/S2 visa applications if the applicant is submitting the application together with their spouse (on a new work visa application). Supporting documents include 1. Proof of relationship and 2. Passport of spouse; please email your doucments to ([email protected]) before making your application.

    Starting from 11 Aug 2020 the Chinese Embassy in the UK will start accepting visa applications made by current residence permit holders. We are now processing new Z/ S1 visa applications – see below for more information. Advance biometrics is available and we will need to review your application before confirming appointments, please contact us as soon as possible.

    Documents Required:
    1. Travellers’ current/ expired Residence Permit
    2. For Z visa applicant – Travellers’ current work permit (card or pdf) an employment letter (signed & stamped by Chinese employer) from current Chinese employer is required
    3. Employment Letter (Updated 1/11/20)
    4. Order form ( https://mandarinvisa.co.uk/order-form-mandarin-visa-order-form/ )
    5. Passport and Fingerprints for Submission

    Processing time will be 3-4 working days after submission. Please contact us ( [email protected] / Tel: 020-3538-2848 ) for more information.

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