China is conducting a one-year trial of visa-free travel for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, according to the country’s foreign ministry.
From December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from these nations can conduct business or travel in China for up to 15 days without requiring a visa. The initiative aims to “promote China’s high-quality development and opening up,” stated spokeswoman Mao Ning on Friday.
Currently, the majority of travelers need a visa to enter China. Exceptions have been rare, with citizens of Singapore and Brunei permitted visa-free entry for business, tourism, family visits, and transit for up to 15 days.
China only resumed issuing all types of visas in March, marking a reversal from the strict travel restrictions imposed in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For three years, China implemented some of the world’s strictest COVID measures, including travel restrictions, lockdowns, and frequent testing requirements. The country’s zero-COVID policy, which had a substantial impact on the economy, was lifted in December of the previous year.
Before the pandemic, China attracted tens of millions of international visitors annually.
