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Visiting China is not as simple as just hopping on a plane and visiting. Visas are required for just about everyone regardless of the purpose of your visit. There are four types of visas: Diplomatic visa, Courtesy visa, Service visa, and Ordinary visa. Ordinary visas are then subdivided into several other groups like transit passengers, foreign journalists, or family members. Now, six countries: France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia will be able to enter the country visa-free.
From December 1, 2023 through November 30, 2024, citizens of the countries above will be able to visit China for up to 15 days for business or leisure without obtaining a visa. The only current exceptions are citizens of Singapore and Brunei, who can enter for business, tourism, family visits, and transit for no more than 15 days. With this trial, those from the six nations above will receive similar treatment.
The International Travel & Health Insurance Journal reports that China reopened its borders in January after several years of its zero-Covid policy. Visas were issued again starting in March. Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said this test is to help “promote China’s high-quality development and opening up.”
Anthony’s Take: I’ve been to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao several times, but never mainland China. I look forward to visiting in the future, but I think I’ll still need a visa to enter as a US citizen for the forseeable future. The country looks amazing and I’m ready to eat my way through it.
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2 comments
Did you really use the word “trials” as a verb in your headline?
Merriam-Webster says:
trial (verb)
trialed or trialled; trialing or trialling; trials
transitive verb: to test the functioning, value, or usefulness of (something)