China's Visa-Free Policy: The List Now Includes 9 Additional Countries

 Beginning on November 30, 2024, tourists from 38 countries will be able to remain in China for up to 30 days without a visa thanks to the country's intentions to extend its visa-free policy. Until December 31, 2025, the new policy will be in force. According to sources, it's an experiment meant to promote travel and cross-border interactions within the nation. The previous 15-day visa-free stay restriction will be doubled as a result of this important adjustment.

The New Countries Added to the List

• Bulgaria
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• Romania
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• CroatiaMontenegro
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• Northern Macedonia
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• Malta
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• Estonia
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• Latvia
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• Japan

Extended visa-free Stay

For individuals from qualifying nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an extension of the visa-free stay, raising the stay limit from 15 to 30 days. It is anticipated that this development will draw more tourists, increasing China's appeal as a travel destination for both business and pleasure.
The longer stay duration is intended to make it simpler for professionals and tourists to travel to China without having to deal with the application process for a visa. This modification expands on China's continuous initiatives to promote travel and ease cross-border exchanges.
In addition to the longer stay duration, China is extending the list of nations that are exempt from the visa requirement. This expansion improves relations between China and these additional nations and creates chances for more foreign tourists.

Another experiment

Another change is that China is now offering a new reason to remain in the country without a visa. Visa-free entrance will be available for "Type F" exchange trips beginning November 30, 2024. China's emphasis on promoting global cooperation and understanding is reflected in these visits, which are meant to be educational and cultural exchanges.

Growing number of countries

Starting in December 2023, the visa-free program first applied to six European nations: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. China has been progressively adding countries to this list over the past year in an effort to draw in a greater variety of foreign tourists.
8.19 million foreign visitors visited China as of the third quarter of 2024, a 48.8% rise over the same period the year before. Of them, 4.89 million visitors made use of the visa-free access, representing a 78.6% increase over the previous year.
China's tourism industry is expected to grow even more as it prepares to receive even more foreign tourists.