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EURAXESS

State of affairs: mobility to and from China

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Escalator walkway with green Arrow sign symbol at Airport

The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected the life and work of many researchers all around the world. Numerous European researchers that were based in China before the beginning of the pandemic are looking for ways to return to their lives. Likewise, there are many Chinese grant holders planning to move to Europe whose departures have been postponed by the restrictions on mobility. On top of this, the decision of the Chinese government to temporarily suspend entry to the mainland for foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits issued after 28 March 2020, is also complicating the whole situation.

Are you a European researcher trying to return to China, or a Chinese researcher about to move to Europe? In this article, we have collected some useful information about the state of affairs regarding mobility to and from China for researchers who have been stuck due to travel restrictions. 

All non-Chinese individuals willing to travel to China need to hold a visa issued after 28 March 2020, and to apply under the relevant category (economic, trade, scientific or technological activities, or emergency humanitarian needs) at the Chinese Embassies and Consulates in their countries. Regulations that come into effect after arrival are subject to constant updates and may differ due to specific policies introduced by the different Chinese regions and municipalities, but a common element is a nucleic acid test (NAT) and a 14-day quarantine in designated places for medical observation at the passenger’s expense.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China, China's top civil aviation regulator, started increasing the number of flights from certain countries in June and established ‘green channels’ for passenger airline flights to airports in the Chinese mainland from eight countries, including Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Switzerland.

Since the last week of June, the first flights carrying EU nationals have brought a few hundred businessmen back to China, demonstrating an easing of the travel restrictions as the Covid-19 pandemic seems to ebb there. The return flights have been organised by EU national governments in collaboration with the relevant Chambers of Commerce and international or Chinese airlines.

Chinese universities and research entities are waiting for the central government to issue new regulations regarding foreign researchers so that they can release and renew the relevant visas.

From 1 July, some EU Member States started lifting restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU for residents of third countries, including China. If you are looking to travel in the EU, the Re-open EU web platformis a useful resource. It contains real-time information on borders, and the means of transport and tourism services available. MSCA Fellows can check out all the news related to the Covid-19 crisis on the specific page on the European Commission website here.