Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-02-02 Origin: Site
At the end of December 2023, China's unilateral visa-free countries saw an important expansion.
Starting from 1 December 2023, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy on a trial basis for ordinary passport holders from six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.
As a result, the number of countries for which China will grant unilateral visa-free access on a trial basis has increased from the original two (Brunei and Singapore) to eight, expanding the coverage from Asia to Europe.
During the period from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024, holders of ordinary passports from the above eight countries can enter China visa-free for doing business, travelling and tourism, visiting friends and relatives and transiting for not more than 15 days, thus greatly saving time and cost.
Malaysia has even responded equally to China's visa-free policy, and from 1 December 2023, it will implement a facilitation measure for Chinese citizens to enter China without a visa for a period of 30 days.
The Chinese Embassy in the United States released a notice on its official website on 29 December:
In order to further facilitate the exchanges between the United States and China, starting from 1 January 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United States will reduce or waive the application materials for L-word (tourist) visas: U.S. personnel travelling to China to apply for visas to China may be exempted from providing round-trip air tickets, hotel orders, itineraries, or invitations, and other application tools.
On a case-by-case basis, applicants will still need to follow the specific requirements and guidance of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the United States.
According to CCTV News on 2 January, Thai Prime Minister Saita told the media after attending a cabinet meeting that Thailand's visa-free entry policy for Chinese tourists is valid until 29 February 2024, and is now about to expire. After continuous communication and consultation with the Chinese side, China and Thailand will implement a permanent mutual visa-free entry policy from 1 March, which means that travelling to and from the two countries does not require a visa from the other country.
