Summary
On 28 March 2020, China has temporarily suspended the entry of most foreign nationals, including foreign nationals with long term visas and residence permits. This measure has caused issues for many Benelux companies active in mainland China, with employees, dependents and other stakeholders who are currently outside of mainland China not being able to return.
In order to help Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourgish companies in mainland China to find solutions for the return of urgently required personnel, the Benelux Embassies jointly with the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China (a.k.a. Benelux Chamber or BenCham) are investigating the possibilities of re-entry of employees (and their dependents) of Benelux companies into mainland China – based upon an initial contact with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant local authorities.
Therefore, the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in China, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in China and the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in China are compiling a list of Benelux companies with employees and dependents wishing to return to mainland China. In this first call, the following criteria apply:
- Employees (and their dependents) working for a company from Belgium, The Netherlands or Luxembourg with operations in the mainland China
- Call is currently only for employees and dependents holding EU passports
- This call is open to members and non-members of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China – as long your entity is a Belgian, Dutch or Luxembourgish organization with operations in mainland China
The Benelux Chamber is coordinating the listing of Benelux companies' employees and dependents wishing to return to mainland China. If your company and your applicable employees (and their dependents) meet the above-mentioned criteria, please fill in the registration form by clicking the 'REGISTRATION' button.
Further details, criteria, and conditions of the potential re-entry procedure will be published on the Benelux Chamber and Benelux Embassies websites once known.
Disclaimer:
- The re-entry procedure is currently still in an initial phase and is subject to future discussions with the relevant Chinese authorities which is anticipated to be a lengthy process. Registering to this listing does not provide any guarantee for entry into China.
- In case an entry procedure is successfully established, Chinese authorities have the right to enforce procedures and conditions including but not limited to: Mandatory quarantine, medical tests and tracking of movements.
Questions & Inquiries:
Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China | Beijing
Jan Hu, General Manager
Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China | Shanghai
Cecilia Vermeulen, General Manager
Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China | Pearl River Delta
Egbert Kampherbeek, General Manager
