China has expanded its 15-day visa-free travel policy, allowing citizens from several European countries and Malaysia to explore the mainland without a visa for up to 15 days. This opens doors for business, tourism, visiting relatives, and transit through visa-free travel or an e-visa.
The eligible countries now include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg during specified periods in 2023 and 2024. This expansion aims to facilitate entry procedures and promote exchanges between China and other nations through the diversity visa program.
China has mutual visa exemption agreements with several countries that allow ordinary passport holders to travel visa-free for up to 30 days. These countries include:
Travelers from these countries can enjoy visa-free entry into mainland China for tourism, business, or transit purposes for up to 30 consecutive days. This mutual visa exemption facilitates travel and promotes exchanges between China and these nations.
Foreign nationals from 59 countries are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to China’s Hainan Island, a popular tourist destination. These countries include:
This visa-free policy allows foreign visitors to explore the tropical island province of Hainan for up to 30 consecutive days without the need for a visa, facilitating tourism and cultural exchanges.
Foreign citizens from 54 countries are eligible for 72/144-hour visa-free transit in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. These countries include:
This visa-free transit policy allows foreign nationals to stay in these cities for up to 72 or 144 hours without a visa, facilitating international travel and transit.
These visa-free policies facilitate travel, business, and cultural exchanges between China and various nations, promoting international cooperation and understanding.
China has expanded its 15-day visa-free travel policy to several countries, allowing their citizens to explore mainland China without a visa for up to 15 days. This expansion aims to facilitate entry procedures and promote exchanges between China and other nations.
The 15-day visa-free travel policy for these European countries is effective from March 14 to November 30, 2024, and has been further extended until December 31, 2025.
Previously, China had a 15-day visa-free travel policy for citizens of Japan, Brunei, and Singapore, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since been resumed for Brunei and Singapore.
This 15-day visa-free travel policy allows ordinary passport holders from the eligible countries to enter China for purposes of business, tourism, visiting relatives/friends, and transit, without needing to apply for a visa in advance.
China’s visa-free policies have led to a significant increase in foreign tourists, especially during the Spring Festival holiday in 2023. To address the decline in international tourism during the pandemic, the Chinese government has implemented these 15-day visa-free travel policies for visitors from several countries. China has also taken measures to boost inbound tourism, such as shortening visa application forms, lowering visa fees, and streamlining approval procedures.
China’s expansion of visa-free travel policies for citizens of various countries represents a significant step towards promoting international cooperation, cultural exchange, and tourism. By allowing visa-free entry for up to 15 or 30 days, China has opened its doors to visitors from Europe, Asia, and other regions, fostering stronger ties and facilitating seamless travel experiences.
This move not only benefits individual travelers but also holds the potential to boost economic growth and foster mutual understanding between nations. As the world continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, such initiatives by China showcase its commitment to reviving international tourism and strengthening global connections. While challenges may arise, the visa-free travel policies pave the way for enhanced people-to-people exchanges, leading to a more interconnected and harmonious global community.
Learn more about the global mobility technology for managing LTA’s, STA’s, transferees and remote workers – xpath.global
