US-China Fast Track Channel makes it easier for businesspeople and their families to enter China, with caveats

Quicker invitation letters are to be issued from local Chinese authorities, but inclusion of family members is limited to those under 18 years old, and travellers must apply for own visas

Mechanism comes into effect less than two months after President Xi Jinping said China had agreed to upgrade fast-track entry for American executives

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The US-China Fast Track Travel Channel Program aims to expedite local-level invitations for American businesspeople and their families. Photo: AP

Published: 5:30pm, 6 Jan 2022

An arrangement to reduce the waiting times for American businesspeople and their families to travel to China has come into effect, according to a major US business group in the country, materialising one of the goals set by the top leaders in November amid geopolitical tensions and Beijing’s zero-Covid strategy.

The US-China Fast Track Travel Channel Program was launched with immediate effect on Wednesday, according to a statement by the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China).

The programme helps cut the issuance time of PU letters – invitations issued by local Chinese authorities for travellers and their dependants – to between five and 10 business days. It had taken up to two months for eligible US firms. The chamber also said the chances of receiving such invitations are higher.

The mechanism’s implementation comes on the heels of a virtual summit between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in mid-November, when Xi said China had agreed to upgrade the fast-track entry for American executives.

“It is believed that the move will further enhance economic and trade exchanges between China and the US, and boost the recovery of the two economies,” Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying at the summit.

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An AmCham survey in September found that restoring regular visa services and travel channels for business executives remained a top priority within the US business community.