Chinese visa procedures for Bangladeshi students started on Tuesday, according to the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh.
After nearly two and a half years, the Chinese government opened visas for Bangladeshi students pursuing higher studies in the Asian country.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Hualong Yan, minister counselor and DCM of the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh, wrote: "Congratulations to our first batch of students who were issued visas today (Tuesday) with due university notifications. Thanks to the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni for your valuable coordination."
Earlier on Sunday, China and Bangladesh signed bilateral instruments in the presence of Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The matter was announced after the bilateral meeting.
Over 5,000 Bangladeshi students studying in China had to return home in February 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They were unable to return as visas remained suspended during this time.
Being stuck in Bangladesh for over two years, they wrote to the foreign ministry, requesting measures for their return.
Tips on return to Chinese campus
The embassy, in a separate social media post, advised a few tips for aspiring students returning to their Chinese campus.
All students for academic qualification education are eligible for going to China, but they must reach their university/college and obtain a written confirmation (Back2Campus Notice) from the school prior to flight booking, it said.
No further visas will be required for students with valid Resident Permits who have physically registered in China.
However, students who have not obtained valid Resident Permit and those enrolled during years 2020 to 2022 need to apply for visas with student visa notification together with written confirmation (Back2Campus Notice) from the school, it added.
For visa application online, aspiring students are advised to visit: https://cova.mfa.gov.cn. For any inquiries, they are advised to send an email to chineseembassy.dhk@gmail.com
Currently, commercial flights to Guangzhou and Kunming are available and chartered flights are under consideration if there’s any need, the embassy said.
Nucleic acid tests and Green Health Code
Two nucleic acid tests by labs co-designated by the Directorate General of Health Services and the embassy within 48 hours prior to flight are required.
A Green Health Code will be issued to those who are tested dually negative, said the embassy.
The Chinese test standard is applied by the designated labs which may differ greatly from other labs, it said, adding that failure of any above-mentioned test may result in denial of boarding by the airlines.
All passengers including students, regardless of nationality, are required to undergo an eight-day quarantine at designated hotels after arrival at the passengers’ own cost.