On 16 June, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UK announced that some of the country's restrictions on applications for visas to work in China had been relaxed. Applicants no longer have to provide a "PU letter" when applying for a Chinese work (class Z) visa. Similar changes also apply to visas for family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners working in China (classes Q and S respectively). This follows similar announcements from Chinese embassies in other countries, including the US, Singapore, South Korea and several EU member countries.

Invitation letters issued by Chinese authorities - known as PU letters - had previously been required for foreign nationals applying for Chinese visas since early in the Covid-19 pandemic. These had caused difficulties as the process for requesting these letters was lengthy and the criteria for issuance were strict, with letters only being issued to staff deemed essential to their organisation's work in China. Applications for work visas and dependents' visas have now returned to the pre-pandemic process, without this additional step.

The process for business, commercial trade, scientific/academic or technological visit visas (classes F and M) has not changed and still requires a PU letter, while student visa applications remain closed. Other restrictions on entry into China, such as the requirement to quarantine on arrival, are still in place.

Analysis

This change will make it easier for UK institutions to send staff to China who will be working in the country for an extended period, for example as part of a transnational education joint institute or joint programme.

The situation for staff making shorter visits, such as academics teaching on a "fly-in faculty" model, has not changed. However this announcement sends a positive signal and shows that China is working to relax its entry requirements. This suggests that the situation for short-term visits and student mobility to China may become easier at some point in the future.

Source

Chinese Embassy in the UK - Adjustment of the Scope and Requirements for Visa Applications (in Chinese) 

http://gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/chn/qzfw/202206/t20220616_10704551.htm