In an effort to revive its tourism sector, which has been severely impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns, the Chinese government is implementing significant changes to attract international visitors.
In 2023, China introduced a trial visa-free policy allowing citizens from several European countries—including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland—to visit for up to 15 days without a visa. This initiative has proven beneficial for both China’s economy and the tourists who were previously deterred by strict visa regulations. Due to its success, the program has been extended until 2025 and expanded to include Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Slovenia.
As of October 15, citizens from Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, and Denmark have also been granted the same visa-free access, allowing them to stay in China for two weeks with just their passports. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the goal of this program is to enhance exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals and promote a more open environment.
However, the new travel rules do not apply to citizens of Western English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom due to rising political tensions. Nevertheless, these travelers can still apply for tourist visas through Chinese consulates. The application process has been simplified; applicants now only need to provide personal information and work history without needing to book flights or accommodations beforehand.
U.S. citizens can also utilize China’s “72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy,” which allows short visits in areas like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Shanghai for up to 144 hours. This is particularly popular among those on cruise trips or layovers.
Despite these changes, the U.S. Department of State continues to advise caution when traveling to China due to concerns about arbitrary law enforcement and potential wrongful detentions.
Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, expressed optimism about the extended visa-free policy until 2025, stating it will boost confidence in traveling to China.
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