Recently, it says that foreign family members who’s stuck outside of China due to the entry ban ("Temporarily Ban Policy" on 28th March 2020) can now come back to China  by applying for PU invitation letter issued by China Foreign Affairs Office. (With the PU letter they can apply for a new visa)

 

The policy only applies to Shanghai as far as we’ve learned.

 

In the past, it’s very difficult to get it. But now, shanghai foreign affair office ease the policy of the < PU Letter >, following are 2 big changes:

1. Before it must be a HUGE and NECESSARY economic/trade activities, now they REMOVE the wording of "HUGE and NECESSARY". It means, with a normal business activities, the company also can apply the < PU Letter > for foreigner. So predictable, the successful rate of the < PU Letter > will increase a lot.

2. Company can apply the < PU Letter > for the foreign immediate family members directly (If he/she is empolyed by a company in Shanghai while holding valid work visa, and entered China before March 28th.2020 (when the entry ban was issued)). Reason can be (for example, Kids need to study, Wife/Husband needs to take care of each other, family re-union, etc.). So foreign family member can start to apply for that NOW!

 

In this case, the approval rate can be relatively high.

But before applying, please make sure you have following information:

 

Procedures in detail:

1. Please ask your shanghai company contact the shanghai foreign affairs service center (Tel: 021-22161565), and ask about the <PU invitation letter>, they will give you the contact information of who are taking charge of this things in your company district.
2. Contact the district foreign affairs officer, submit the application what they ask for and wait for approval.
3. After the <PU invitation letter> issued, send it to foreign applicant
4. Foreigner take it to the Chinese Consulate/Embassy to apply the M type of visa.

Some Q&A’s below about the < PU Letter > application for now:

Q1: Now for all foreigners want to enter China, they need to apply this < PU Letter >?
A: Yes, since the "temporary ban policy" take effect on 28th March 2020, for all foreigners who want to come to China, they need to apply a brand new visa from the Chinese Consulate outside. And the < PU Letter > issued by China foreign affair office is the most important requirement.

Q2: I am working for a shanghai company. Because of the COVID-19, I am getting stuck outside of China, How can I go back to Shanghai?
A: First of all, please make sure that your FWP (Foreign work permit, the blue card) is still valid. Secondly, please ask your shanghai employer apply this < PU Letter > for you. After you get the < PU Letter >, you can apply the M visa and come back to Shanghai. After you enter China, if your previous work visa is still valid, you can continue staying and working here. If it’s already expired, no worry, since your work permit is still valid, we can change your M visa back to work visa here in shanghai.

Q3: I am foreigner working in shanghai now, my wife is still apart from me outside of China, how can she come back to shanghai?
A: Above Big Change No.2 is special for your situation. You can ask your shanghai employer apply the < PU Letter > specially for your wife. With that letter, she can apply M or S1 visa in the Chinese Consulate and come back to shanghai. As soon as she arrives shanghai, apply the family residence permit.

Q4: How long it takes to apply this < PU Letter >? And it’s good chance to get it or not?
A: It takes about 1-2 month time. Well, different situation may have different approval rate, but it’s worth to try.

Q5: Every country citizen can apply this < PU Letter >? Any restriction country?
A: No restriction. Everyone can apply it.

Q6: After I enter Shanghai, Do I still need 14-days quarantine? if so, in where?
A: Yes, you still need to be quarantine for 14 days (only if your country has the "fast track" agreement with China can avoid it). And quarantine in the government designated location.

Q7: My company tried to apply the < PU Letter > for me before, but failed. Can they apply again?
A: Sure, Why not? It’s good time to apply it again.

Q8: Any special notice for applying this < PU Letter >?
A: Notice-1: You have to choose where/which consulate to apply your visa. It will be written in the < PU Letter > and can not be changed. (For example, if you choose Chinese Consulate in Paris to apply the visa, then you can NOT go to Chinese Consulate in Berlin to apply)
Notice-2: Passengers to China must take nucleic tests within 5 days (Negative certificate) before departure.