Only reminders for your visa application. Please consult the embassy or visa center for details.
Since March 15, 2023, China has resumed issuing all types of visas for foreigners. We recommend Tourist Visa (type L) for all registered participants, in which case the invitation letter is NOT needed. If you book a room on our website, you will get the hotel reservation document upon successful payment.
Participants can apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy, consulates, or Visa Application Service Center in the region they live. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the expiry date of your visa. All Visa applicants must submit the application documents in person and have their fingerprints collected. Please refer to the website of the fore-mentioned facilities for detailed requirements. /
L requires one of the below document:
Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or
An Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by a relevant unit or individual in China. The Invitation Letter should contain: (1) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.); (2) Details of the planned visit (incl. arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, accommodation arrangements, etc.); (3) Information of the inviting party (incl. name of organization or person concerned, contact telephone number, address, official stamp of the organization, signature of the legal representative or individual, inscribed date)
F needs one of the photocopy of the following document:
Invitation letter issued by a partner in China. The invitation letter should contain: a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, passport no. etc.); b) Details of the planned visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China); c) Information of the inviting party (incl.name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or individual).
Personnel engaged in geographic surveying and mapping activities in China: Invitation letter issued by Department of Science, Technology and Cooperation, State Administration of Surveying and Mapping.
Exchange performers: the invitation letter issued by the organizer and the copy of the non-commercial approval of the cultural department for the performance.
For experts staying in China less than 90 days: Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to China issued by the competent authorities of foreign countries in cities divided into districts or above.
Volunteers or volunteers staying in China less than 90 days: Invitation letter issued by the unit in China.
It is recommended that you apply for a Chinese visa at least 1 month in advance.
[NEWS] From 00:00 (Beijing time) on Wednesday July 26 2023, the Chinese government will resume the 15-day visa free policy for Singaporean citizens holding ordinary passport who enter China for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes. Visas which have been issued to Singaporean citizens are still valid. Visa applications that have been lodged before will be processed normally.
[NEWS] Please notify us in advance if you need a TE letter. It takes 7 workdays for the Foreign Affairs Administration in Shanghai to process your TE application. Schedule your visa appointment wisely.
Invitation Letters
If you are requesting time off, funding, or refurbishment from the department, or applying for other types of visa that need an invitation letter, we are more than willing to help. Please contact secretariat@bs2023.org.
The end of China's zero-COVID policy
China has lifted all restrictions for inbound travelers since January 8, 2023. .
A physical conference values the most. Amid the virus policy shift, we have high hopes that all barriers, such as travel restrictions and forced quarantine, will be nullified when BS2023 comes. Cautious but determined, the world's eyes end to the COVID emergency in 2023 with everything gradually back on track. Various activities will roll out centering on a physical BS2023, and we send you a warm welcome to join this reunion, in Shanghai. However, in counter with any uncertainties, BS2023 continues to be a HYBRID event to your best ease.
Safety first. Despite the criticism and the economic impact, the dynamic zero-COVID policy successfully contained the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. In the past three years, society paid a high cost in mass testing, vaccination, pandemic data system, and, most of all, the cooperation of the population. However, circumstances change. With the knowledge, treatment protocols, and medical resources prepared, it is time to adapt to the new reality. Exiting from zero-COVID, the policy will get loose very soon.
March 15, 2023 China resumes issuing all types of visas for foreigners, including the tourism visa, port visa, and multiple visa-exemption policies
Valid multi-year multiple entry visas issued before March 28, 2020 by the Chinese visa authorities abroad shall resume function.
Foreigners may apply for all types of visas (including those for tourism and medical treatment).
Port visas shall once again be issued in line with the relevant laws and regulations.
The visa-exemption policy for Hainan, visa-exemption cruise policy for Shanghai, visa-exemption policy for foreigners to visit Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macao, and visa-exemption policy for ASEAN tour groups to Guilin and Guangxi shall resume operation.
March 1, 2023 Instead of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, rapid antigen test (RAT, including RAT home testing kit) results will be accepted for air passengers flying directly to China. The new rule applies to travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Egypt and South Africa.
Jan 8, 2023 New policies issued.
No testing and quarantine for inbound passengers.
No other restrictions on condition that your health declarations are normal and there are no symptoms of the disease during a "routine health check" while clearing customs.
Inbound passengers will still need a negative nucleic acid test 48 hours before departure and have to wear protective masks onboard flights.
Visa for work, business, study and family reunions has been improved. Tourism visa will be adjusted very soon.
Large international port cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, are likely to be the first to resume outbound travel for tourism.
Dec 21, 2022 Though not officially announced, Chengdu has implemented a pilot 2+3 hotel quarantine policy for inbound travelers.
Dec 13, 2022 Hong Kong lifts all COVID-19 curbs on inbound travelers. No 0+3 self-isolation requirement for inbound travelers. Everyone who tests negative for COVID-19 will be issued with a blue code in their vaccine pass which will give them free access to public places.
Dec 12, 2022 Travel Code will go offline officially on Dec 13. It will no longer be a restriction imposed on domestic travelers.
Dec 7, 2022 The Health Code and centralized quarantine are abandoned, along with new relaxed measures.
Nov 11, 2022 China further shortens mandatory hotel quarantine period for international arrivals (5+3), cancels the circuit breaker mechanism for inbound flights, and requires only one negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding.
Jun 28, 2022 China further shortens mandatory hotel quarantine period for international arrivals (7+3), which means "7 days centralized (hotel) quarantine + 3 days home quarantine".
