1-minute News | A longer list: China expands visa-free countries, optimizing entry policies
To further facilitate the exchange of personnel between China and foreign countries, the Chinese side has decided to expand the scope of visa-free countries. From November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, visa-free policies will be piloted for ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan.
Additionally, the Chinese side has decided to optimize the entry policy, including exchange visits under the reasons for visa exemption, and extending the visa-free stay period from the current 15 days to 30 days.
Starting from November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from 38 visa-exempt countries, including the aforementioned nine, can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, or transit for up to 30 days without a visa. Those who do not meet the visa exemption criteria will still need to obtain a visa before entering China.
Over the past year, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with six countries, including Singapore, Thailand, and Kazakhstan, achieving full visa exemption with a total of 25 countries. Additionally, unilateral visa exemption policies have been implemented for 29 countries, including France and Germany.
The new version of the Chinese visa application form has been introduced, optimizing and simplifying 34% of the items, significantly reducing the time required to fill out the form. Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have completely abolished the visa appointment system and further expanded the scope of exemptions from fingerprint collection, making the visa application process for foreign nationals coming to China increasingly convenient.
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