China is expanding its visa-free entry policy to boost tourism and bolster its economy. On November 22, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the addition of nine new nations to this program.
Bulgarian, Romanian, Croatian, Montenegrin, North Macedonian, Maltese, Estonian, Latvian, and Japanese nationals will be able to enter China without a visa as of November 30, 2024.
This expansion has made 38 countries eligible for participation. It demonstrates China’s efforts to strengthen international relations, boost tourism, and foster commercial exchanges.
Longer Stays and More Reasons to Visit
Adding new nations isn’t the only change to the policy. It also extends the maximum amount of time that can be spent without a visa. Visitors can now stay up to 30 days, compared to the previous 15-day limit.
The grounds for admission have also been broadened. In addition to business, tourism, and family visits, exchange visits are now covered. This seeks to promote social, cultural, and intellectual exchanges.
All 38 participating nations are affected by these modifications. Until December 31, 2025, the new regulations will be in force.
Restoring and Expanding Policies
Significant changes have been made to China’s visa-free policies. Before the pandemic, Singapore, Japan, and Brunei were granted 15 days of visa-free travel. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these rights were revoked.
China restored Brunei and Singapore’s 15-day visa-free travel regime in July 2023. In early 2024, Singapore’s arrangement was further developed into a 30-day visa exemption for mutual use. Japan has now re-joined under the most recent expansion, notwithstanding the delay.
In late 2023, China started testing visa-free travel policies for other nations to boost inbound travel.
- Six European nations, including France and Germany, were added in November 2023.
- Six other nations, including Switzerland and Ireland, were added to the list by March 2024.
- Australia, Portugal, and South Korea were among the countries that joined the program in July, September, and November of 2024.
Every stage sought to make travel easier and more enticing for tourists from other countries.
Boosting Economic Recovery
During the pandemic, China’s stringent entry regulations severely hindered its tourism industry. The nation is currently using visa-free travel and trade regulations to boost tourism. In 2023, 8.2 million foreigners traveled to China between July and September. Nearly 60% of them were able to enter without a visa.
These strategies also strengthen China’s diplomatic ties. For instance, Japan’s inclusion shows that relations have improved following recent difficulties. This strategy highlights China’s emphasis on striking a balance between trade, tourism, and international collaboration to hasten economic recovery.
The increased visa-free travel is part of a larger initiative to restore China’s international ties and attract more tourists.
FAQS
Do reciprocal agreements with other nations fall under this visa-free policy?
Certain situations entail reciprocal arrangements, such as Singapore’s 30-day visa exemption. The majority of the show, however, focuses on China’s unilateral visa-free access.
Apart from granting visa-free entry, what other steps is China taking to boost foreign travel?
To attract tourists and business travelers, China has been encouraging people-to-people interactions, streamlining entry procedures, and striving to foster stronger international relations.
