Shanghai Expat 101-FIVE Indispensable Codes to Get You into Shanghai

Recently, we have successfully helped several clients enter Shanghai. The most frequent question asked is, Which (health) codes are needed? The answer is, FIVE!

So today, in our first Shanghai Expats 101 article, we walk you through the 5 codes required for entering Shanghai.

* Notice: All information below is based on our knowledge on the day of publication. Exit-entry rules in China may change at any time. Therefore, it is strongly advised to review the regulations when planning your travel. We will also provide our readers with regular updates, so feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

2 Codes before Boarding

#01 Health Declaration Certificate 防疫健康码（国际版）

The Health Declaration Certificate is also called the Health Code. It can prove you are ‘couple negative’, which means both your results of the COVID-19 nucleic acid test and serum-specific IgM antibody test are negative. Only with this code can you board your flight.

The policies on the time for the last testing vary from different departure countries. Lately, the Chinese embassies have released new notices on the application procedures for the Health Declaration Certificate. So please check out the embassies notices and our 3W Five Codes Guide (the method of obtaining is at the end of this article).

#02 Customs Code 海关码

Every passenger is required to fill in their health status truthfully before boarding the plane. After filling out the Customs Health Declaration, the passenger will receive a Customs Code as above. By scanning this QR code, the custom crews are able to see the personal data and health information of the passenger.

1 Code after Landing

#03 Airport Code 机场码

A passenger will be requested to apply for the Airport Code when he arrives at the airport (the image above is the Airport Code from Shanghai Pudong International Airport). This QR code is about the information of passengers. With this code, the airport can arrange waiting areas and quarantine hotels for each passenger more effectively.

2 Codes for Staying

#04 Shanghai QR Code 随申码

Attention! Attention! Shanghai QR Code (Chinese name: 随申码) is the thing of the top importance. In nowadays Shanghai, a person can go out without a purse, but cannot without this Shanghai QR Code. The code can turn green, yellow, or red according to the holder’s health status, locations, and travel records. In most cases, a green code ensures that the holder can go anywhere freely. You may ask what if the code is red? Oops sorry, then the holder needs to get quarantined again.

* Shanghai QR Code is specifically for people who live in Shanghai. If you are going to live in other cities outside Shanghai, you need to check out local policies.

#05 Telecommunication Data Based Travel Itinerary Code 通信大数据行程卡（行程码）

This code is also known as Travel Record Code/ Green Arrow Code/ Tracking Code/ Travel Itinerary Code (Chinese name: 通信大数据行程卡/行程码), and it is as important as the Shanghai QR code, through which the code holder’s last 14-day-travel-history can be traced. With this code, you are easy to know if you have ever stayed or passed any high-risk areas.

Please notice that a Chinese phone number is necessary for applying for the five codes above (especially the last two most important ones). If you have troubles with getting a Chinese phone number, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you out with this in person or remotely.

Extra 2 Codes

Due to the recent outbreak of the Covid in Shanghai, there are two more Covid-relating names that a Shanghainese resident needs to know.

#01 Nucleic Acid Test Code 核酸码

Since April, 2022, the Nucleic Acid Test Code (核酸码) has been newly introduced for quickly registering Nucleic Acid Tests.

The ‘Nucleic Acid Test Code (核酸码)’ in the ‘Suishenban (随身办)’， which contains your personal details. It is a one-month-valid code so you don’t need to apply for it every time when making an appointment for your PCR test. Instead, you can just save a screenshot of it.

#02 Antigen Self-testing Results 疫测达

The second one is your self-testing result in the ‘’Yiceda (疫测达)’. If you get a self-testing at home, you need to upload a photo of your test strip and some basic information. Then soon you will get an online result as shown in the image above. In times of the severe COVID-19 situation, travelers may be asked to provide the results.

You have seen all the necessary codes you need for entering and living in Shanghai through the description above. You may still have some questions about how and when are the best times to apply for these codes. Click the links below:

You can also contact us for getting a 3W Five Codes Guide for free! In this guide, you can not only find out What the five codes are, but also find out When the best times are for applications and Where you can submit your applications.

Now, click the button ‘Contact Us‘ above. Or scan the QR code below to contact our experts. They are willing to give you more advice. We are looking forward to seeing you!