In this post, we will provide you a short and sweet guide on the updated health code application by the Chinese embassy in the US:
Update Date: Starting April 1, 2022, passengers will be required to present a negative result of antigen test, on top of green health code before check-in or boarding.
1. Go to the departure city seven days before the flight’s departure
After arrival, take the first PCR test (if the flight departs on April 15, then you can do the test at any time on April 8)
2. Conduct seven days of personal health monitoring at the departure city
You can download the Personal Health Monitoring Form from here for tracking.
3. Take the required tests two days before departure depending on your vaccination status:
| Vaccination Status | Tests Required |
| Fully vaccinated with inactivated vaccines | – 2 PCR tests respectively at two testing agencies – After 12:00 PM the day before departure, take the antigen test |
| Not vaccinated/ not fully vaccinated/ vaccinated with non-inactivated vaccines. | – 1 PCR test – 1 S-protein IgM serum antibody test – 1 N-protein IgM serum antibody test. – After 12:00 PM the day before departure, take the antigen test The tests are to be done at designated laboratory institution. |
In layman’s terms, if the flight departs on April 15:
- Take the second PCR test at Lab 1 and third PCR test at Lab 2 any time on April 13, 14 or 15.
- Antigen test sampling time should be after 12:00 PM (noon) on April 14.
4. Submit the application for the Health code
Note: Make sure to leave enough time to get the Health Code.
The general checklist is as follows:
- Nucleic acid rt-PCR, S protein IgM antibody, or N protein IgM antibody tests results, Personal Health Monitoring Form (based on the requirements mentioned above);
- Flight itinerary;
- Passport, Chinese visa or resident permit.
Note: Antigen test report is not required when applying the health code. Airlines will inspect the original reports before check-in or boarding. Either printed or electronic original report will be accepted, while the result must be “negative”.
The following documents are according to the health status:
| Health Status | Documents Required |
| Vaccinated | – Letter of Commitment on COVID-19 Vaccination (download from here) – Vaccination certificate |
| – Infection history – Are a close contact – Show suspected symptoms | – Two PCR tests with a sampling interval of over 24 hours, and both tests return negative results. – Lung CT or X-ray and have the imaging diagnosis report before the second nucleic acid rt-PCR test. – Self-quarantine for at least 14 days and record your daily body temperature and health conditions using this form after the second PCR test. – If you develop any symptoms such as fever, cough, diarrhea during the self-quarantine, take another nucleic acid rt-PCR test. If the result is negative, start a 14-day quarantine again. If the result is positive, you will need to wait until you recover and redo the whole process. |