China Tourism Booming as Visa-Free Travel for 15 Countries Climbs Over 266%
China witnessed a surge in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2024, with the number of foreign travellers tripling compared to the same period last year.
This spike can be attributed to China’s recent measures to optimise its visa system and policies, providing greater convenience for foreigners visiting the country.
National newspaper People’s Daily quoted official data which indicates that China granted 466,000 visas and entry documents to foreigners between January and March, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 118.8 per cent
China visa-free travel
Moreover, nearly 1.99m foreigners entered China without a visa, marking a remarkable 266.1 per cent increase compared to the figures from 2023.
Among the measures implemented are:
- Reducing visa application requirements
- Gradually lowering fees
- Simplifying procedures for international students
- Exempting some from fingerprinting
- Waiving visa appointments
- Introducing visa-free access for certain nations
On July 26, 2023, China resumed its 15-day visa-free policy for Singaporeans and Bruneians with ordinary passports for business, tourism, visiting relatives, and transit.
On December 1, 2023, it granted unilateral visa-free entry to France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.
Three months later, the visa-free policy extended to Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
As of March 1, 2024, a mutual visa exemption agreement with Thailand also took effect.
To date, 989,000 foreign nationals from these 15 countries have entered visa-free, accounting for more than 60 per cent of visitors from these nations, with numbers continuing to rise.
The relaxed visa rules have spurred interest among foreigners to visit for tourism, business, and education opportunities.
Travel agencies have reported a surge in inquiries and bookings tours from countries benefiting from the visa-free policies.
The visa relaxations have also facilitated increased bilateral exchanges between China and partner nations like Thailand.
As it continues opening its borders, the country anticipates welcoming more international visitors, further boosting cultural understanding and economic cooperation globally.
