Foreign travellers have also seen a slow return to China, with arrivals this year down more than 60 per cent from pre-pandemic levels. As data provided by the National Immigration Administration shows, China’s border authorities recorded 35.5 million entries and exits of foreign nationals last year.
China Permits Visa-Free Entry for the Nationals of Another 6 EU Countries
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed plans to extend its 15-day visa-free entry policy to six additional European countries, a move aimed at fostering closer ties and boosting tourism post-pandemic.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- China extends its 15-day visa-free entry policy to six additional EU countries – Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
- From March 14 to November 30, 2024, citizens holding ordinary passports from these nations can enter China without a visa for various purposes.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs plans for “local tours for envoys in China” to strengthen connections between local governments and enterprises.
According to the same authority, the countries set to benefit from this policy expansion are as follows:
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Hungary
- Austria
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
Effective from March 14 to November 30, 2024, citizens holding ordinary passports from these nations can enter China without a visa for various purposes, including business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, as well as transit, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
We hope that more countries will also provide visa convenience to Chinese citizens and jointly create a cross-border network. The fast network for personnel exchanges has accelerated the resumption of international passenger flights, allowing Chinese citizens to leave at any time and make foreign friends feel at home.
China to Set up More Local Tours to Strengthen Global Connections
The Minister further announced plans to organise more “local tours for envoys in China” to strengthen ties between local governments and enterprises, both domestically and internationally.
The decision to extend 15-day visa-free entry follows China’s earlier announcement in January 2024 regarding potential visa-free access for nationals of Switzerland and Ireland, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to facilitating travel for EU nations.
The initiative aligns with China’s broader strategy to revitalise its travel and tourism sector, which the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted. The prolonged lockdown measures significantly disrupted international travel in response to the crisis, prompting governments worldwide to explore measures to reignite tourism.
Moreover, China had previously expanded its 15-day visa-free travel policy to include five EU countries and Malaysia in November 2023. From December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia were granted visa-free entry for short stays, provided they adhered to specific conditions. This move aimed to facilitate travel for tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, and transit purposes, reflecting China’s commitment to promoting international exchanges and cooperation.
Foreign Arrivals to China Drop by Over 60% Compared to Pre-Pandemic Levels
In December 2023, approximately 118,000 visitors from the five countries mentioned above included in the visa-free travel policy entered China for tourism and business purposes.
