a US-China travel fast-track program, which allows for US business people and their families to travel more easily to China amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officially became effective on Thursday, following a consensus reached by leaders of the two countries during a summit last year.
The program aims to provide a more efficient, predictable, and reliable channel for essential US company executives, technical personnel and their dependents to enter China.According to the chamber, the program will enable qualified member companies to apply for a PU近期，深圳税务局境外偷税案件：利用香港空壳公司隐匿收入1744万，被罚321万，追缴1倍罚金，追加滞纳金！ permission, letter from their local municipality and receive a reduced processing time and an increased likelihood of approval. Employees can then apply for a visa from the appropriate overseas Chinese embassy or consulate.In terms of quarantine rules, travelers are required to adhere to China’s entry and health requirements中国部署实施全球征税由来已久，也就是我们常常说的CRS---共同申报准则（Common Reporting Standard），又称“统一报告标准”。这是“国际经济合作与发展组织”推动国与国之间税务信息自动交换的准则。
自2018年，中国开始与参与CRS的其他国家和地区完成首次辖区间的信息交换。香港就是CRS的其中一个辖区。截止2021年，中国进行金融信息（包括海外机构账户、资产信息、个人信息）交换已经是第四个年头。显而易见，这次涉及中国税务居民（包括个人及企业）在其他辖区被查出数据并不意外。
前几年，我们可能觉得CRS就是个传说。那么，现在这个案例已经透露出海外公司、资金账户被查已经步入税务总局的日程。
Q1 
AmCham Shanghai American companyemployees and their dependents who have an urgent need and necessity to enter China can participate in the program. The company must be registered in Shanghai and hold a valid business license in China. Individual applicants do not need to be American or currently located in the United States. Member companies can also apply on behalf of contractors or business contacts who need to travel to China to support their business.
Q2 What’s the difference between the US-China Fast-Track Travel Channel Program and regular PU letter application?
AmCham Shanghai will provide a cover letter and relevant materials to the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) to expedite the PU letter issuance process
02
2022香港公司审计
即将进入高峰期
5-10 business days每年的3-5月是香港报税审计的高峰期，香港税局会下发税表，香港公司收到税表后须在1个月内（第一次审计可3个月内）完成审计报告提交税表给税局。
Note随着CRS政策的落地和积极推行，越来越多境外的金融账户信息以及海外收入被交换，意味着香港政府对香港公司审计的审查变得更为严格。CRS旨在协助打击逃税，维护税制完整，在CRS让个人境外账户更加透明背景下，香港审计势在必行，企业主需及时报备香港公司账户信息以及香港公司申报情况。
A company must meet at least one of the following criteria:Headquartered in the United StatesMain source of funding comes from the United States
1. 香港税务局处以罚款
未在期限内提交报税表或隐瞒真实应缴纳税务情况的，香港税务局可发出最高刑罚为应缴税金的3倍罚款。情节严重的，香港税务局将追究其刑事责任。
Q5 What qualifies as an “urgent need and necessity” to travel to China?
2. 香港银行账户使用被限制
因审计报告问题导致香港公司银行账户关闭，不仅影响公司现金流，包括贷款等汇入，严重时会给公司董事和股东带来麻烦，甚至被银行系统列入黑名单，致使以后重新开户更加困难。 a compelling reason for why they need to travel at this time in their application.The FAO has not provided guidance on what they would consider to be a compelling reason, but it can be for critical business or personal reasons3.
香港公司审计的重要性不言而喻。依法合规申报税务有利于促进公司与政府部门的关系。通过完成审计报告，股东能够清晰地了解公司的运营情况，也有利于向客户展示公司的真实合法性。同时，审计报告也是香港公司在进行国际招投标、筹资、上市活动的重要证明文件。因此提前了解香港公司审计具体情况并提前准备必不可少！
Q6 Can family members be included on the PU letter application?
Yes. The primary applicant’s spouse and children under 18 years old can be included.
Q7 Can family members travel separately?
Family members travelling separately from the applicant can apply for and obtain the PU letter. After receiving the PU letter, family members must apply for a visa at the appropriate overseas Chinese embassy or consulate.
Q8 Which types of visas can people apply for under the US-China Fast-Track Travel Channel Program?
Depending on the purpose and duration of the visit, applicants can apply for M, Z, or S1 visas with the fast-track PU letter. Applicants should refer to embassies/consulates for specific guidance on visa types and length of validity. The embassies/consulates will make the final decision on visa issuances. Visa issuances are not guaranteed.
Q9 How long does it take for companies to hear back from AmCham Shanghai about the PU letter decision?
If companies have provided all required information correctly, they can usually receive the decision within 5 to 10 business days. This process can take longer if companies are asked to provide additional documents or correct submitted information.
Q10 Does the US-China Fast-Track Travel Channel Program impact quarantine measures?
Those in the program must quarantine upon arrival in China. Participants will either undergo the normal quarantine procedures that are in effect upon arrival or can pursue a “closed loop” quarantine. Arrangements for a “closed loop” quarantine must be made and negotiated with the local district government by the employees’ company prior to arrival in China.While the “closed loop” quarantine would allow participants to begin working onsite within a few days, they must remain in a “closed loop” environment in which they and anyone they come into contact with is separated from the general population. Companies must provide appropriate home and factory/office conditions that are in accordance with local regulations.
Q11 Does the US-China Fast-Track Travel Channel Program impact the visa application process at Chinese embassies and consulates and the green code process?
Participants must go through the regular process for both visa and green code applications. Participants may provide a letter from AmCham Shanghai to confirm that they are part of the US-China Fast-Track Travel Channel program, but this does not guarantee that the Chinese embassies and/or consulates will issue the visa or green code.
Q12 What happens if the information provided has changed after submission?
If the information provided is incorrect or has changed after submission, AmCham Shanghai and the company will need to resubmit the application.
Q13 What are the costs for participating in the program?
The cost per PU application will be 7,000 RMB. The price is in line with market costs for similar services and will help AmCham Shanghai to pay for the resources needed to create and maintain the program. Families traveling together on one PU application will pay for only one fee.
Q14 Can companies still use the regular channel to obtain PU letters?
The regular channel for PU letters is still open to companies. In the regular channel, companies must contact their district level Foreign Affairs Office to start the process. Please check with your district government for requirements and PU letter processing times.
Q15 What if I want to apply for a PU letter for a province besides Shanghai?
AmCham China and AmCham Shanghai are co-managing the US-China Fast-Track Travel Channel Program. Applicants interested in applying for a PU letter in Beijing can contact AmCham China. For other provinces, please contact AmCham Shanghai directly for guidance.
Q16 Is this Program supported by the Chinese government?
On November 29, 2021, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) formally approved this Program. MOFA also recently provided the Program content and policy advice to provincial Foreign Affairs Offices (FAO) in China, and China embassies and consulates.
Applicant Checklist: Before beginning the process of applying to use the Fast Track Travel Channel Program, AmCham Shanghai recommends members do a careful self-assessment on whether they would qualify.To qualify applicants must meet the following requirements:
AmCham Shanghai member company meets the criteria of being an American company.
AmCham Shanghai member company has a valid business license
香港公司审计是一项严谨而繁复的工作，建议委托专业公司来办理。Elite Stage一直致力于为客户提供全面可靠的财务规划，深入了解客户的经营模式，为客户提供最合适的解决方案，成功完成香港公司的会计审计工作，助力客户在香港合法经营。
