2. From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia Citizens can travel to China without a visa for up to 15 days. 

3. From March 1, 2024 on, Thai passport holders will be allowed to enter China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. 

4. Visa-free entry among Swiss citizens will soon be available, too, according to a high-level talk between China and Switzerland on January 15, 2024. 

 Read more: China Visa-free Policy 
 

1. On January 11, 2024, China National Immigration Administration announced that those who needs to go to China in urgent and has no time to wait for the visa process, can apply for a visa on arrival in China, either for the purpose of business activities, visiting families and friends, or dealing with personal affairs. 
 

a. Foreigners transiting directly through Beijing Capital Airport and other air hubs within 24 hours do not need to go through inspection procedures anymore.

 Read more: China 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit 

b. Foreigners in China can apply for visa extension, renewal and reissuing in the nearest China Entry and Exit Administration Office. 

d. Visa application documents are simplified for foreigners in China.
 

3. From December 11, 2023 to December 31, 2024, the China visa fees will be reduced by 25%. This is applicable among all China embassies, consulates, and Visa Application Service Centers abroad, including those in US, UK, Canada, and Australia. 
 Read more: China Visa Fees 
 

All in all, the purpose of these visa policies is to attract more overseas visitors to China. It indeed works. 

For instance, in the first month after the visa-free policy was implemented among France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia Citizens, around 147,000 of them had taken advantage of the policy to enter China. 

In the whole 2023, there was a total of 210 million inbound arrivals to China, reaching 62.9% of 2019 before covid-19. It is predicted that the inbound tourism will recover to the level of 2019 by the middle of 2024. 
 

 

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