China Expands Visa-Free Entry Policy for European Travelers.
As of October 15, 2024, China has broadened its 15-day visa-free entry policy to include citizens from four additional European countries: Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia. This initiative allows travelers with ordinary passports from these nations to enter China without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits, provided their stay does not exceed 15 days. The policy is effective until December 31, 2025.
Previously, 11 European countries were granted the same 15-day visa-free entry in two phases, with Poland being added in July, alongside Australia and New Zealand. With the new additions, a total of 16 European countries are now eligible. These countries include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia.
Norway and Denmark Join the List
Last month, Norwegian Prime Minister Støre and Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen visited China. Following these visits, China announced that Norway and Denmark would also benefit from the 15-day visa-free policy. This could potentially increase the total number of eligible countries to 18 by the end of the year.
Among the 18 countries, Switzerland and Norway are not part of the EU. Currently, the EU has 27 member states, meaning 11 EU countries remain outside China’s visa-free list. These include Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden.
Enhancing Business and Travel Opportunities
The visa-free policy has attracted significant interest from business travelers. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) welcomed the first wave of new visitors shortly after 5 a.m. on October 15. One early arrival, Kopsidas from Greece, arrived on flight HO1662 from Manchester. After a smooth passage through immigration, he expressed his excitement: “I’m thrilled to be one of the first passengers benefiting from this visa-free policy. The entire process was efficient and hassle-free.” Kopsidas had learned about the policy online and confirmed the details with the Chinese consulate before deciding to attend a business conference in China.
Similarly, Plibersek, a first-time visitor from Slovenia, seized the opportunity to travel to Jiangsu for equipment procurement. “The visa-free entry saved both time and costs for my company. It will make our future business engagements with China much easier,” he stated. His company intends to make frequent visits for upcoming projects, and the new policy is expected to facilitate these trips.
Boosting International Tourism
In addition to the 15-day visa-free policy, China has launched other initiatives to enhance tourism. The country now offers a 144-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of 54 countries, many of which are in Europe. This broader approach aims to simplify travel to China, particularly for short visits.
As a result, international tourism to China has experienced significant growth, with many travelers taking advantage of these streamlined entry options. Recent reports indicate that the 144-hour policy has been a key factor in the renewed interest in visiting China, contributing to a travel boom in 2024.
The combination of the 15-day and 144-hour visa-free policies is transforming China into a prime destination for both international tourists and business travelers. By simplifying the entry process, China is enhancing its global connectivity and welcoming more visitors from Europe and beyond.
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