Tourexpi
China extends visa-free travel to 54 nations
China
has expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending stays and travel options
for citizens from 54 countries, officials announced Tuesday.
The
permitted stay for eligible travelers has been increased to 10 days, or 240
hours, up from the previous limits of 72 and 144 hours, according to the
National Immigration Administration.
The
updated policy also increases access to 60 ports across 24 provinces and
regions, compared to 39 ports in 19 regions previously.
Citizens
of 54 countries, including the US, UK, Russia, Canada, and Brazil, can now
enter China visa-free while transiting to a third country or region. The
changes aim to facilitate tourism and business exchanges, as China reports a
significant rise in foreign visits this year.
The
expanded visa-free areas include regions with rich cultural heritage, such as
Shanxi and Jiangxi, as well as economic hubs like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei
region and the Yangtze River Delta.
Separate
30-day visa-free access
Additionally,
travelers from 38 nations can stay in China visa-free for up to 30 days until
Dec. 31, 2025.
This
policy applies to ordinary passport holders from countries such as France,
Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary,
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece,
Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco,
Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North
Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, and Brunei Darussalam.
The
visa-free arrangement covers visits for purposes such as business, tourism,
family visits, exchange visits, and transit. However, travelers exceeding the
30-day limit or visiting for purposes beyond these categories will still
require a visa.
Image
Credit: © AA
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