Number of Visa Free Entries Skyrocket

Image Source: China Daily. 

Beijing has recently announced that its visa-free entry policy for citizens of six nations has been successful, with a noticeable increase in the number of people entering China since the beginning of December. Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed the effectiveness of the policy, which was initiated last month. The policy reflects China's broader strategy to enhance international tourism and economic collaboration.

China's new visa-free policy, effective from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, allows ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia to enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit, for up to 15 days. This initiative aims to boost tourism and economic exchanges, as well as facilitate people-to-people exchanges and China's high-level opening-up.

Wang provided data on the influx of travelers in the early days of December, noting that approximately 18,000 visitors from these six countries entered China from Dec. 1 to 3, a 39% increase in daily averages compared to November 30. Out of these 18,000 visitors, nearly 7,000 travelers from the six countries, accounting for 39% of the total, utilized the visa-free policy. These statistics highlight the ease the policy has brought to travelers from these countries.

Recently, China also included Norway in its visa-free transit policy for a 72/144-hour stay, expanding the list to 54 countries. China's National Immigration Administration reported a significant year-on-year increase in border entries and exits in the third quarter of 2023. The policy is expected to boost various sectors, including transportation, dining, accommodation, and shopping, and is seen as a move to enhance international business confidence in investing in China. Wang emphasized that Beijing intends to further refine its visa policies to enhance conditions for international travel and promote easier cross-border exchanges.

Author: The State Council of the People’s Republic of China

Editor: Esmee Mei