China’s visa free entry programme
Nov 24, 2023, 3:25 am
#1
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China’s visa free entry programme
China announced today that they will give 15 day visa free entry for nationals of 6 nations: Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Malaysia.
This sounds similar to the deal Singaporean and Japanese passport holders get.
Apparently this is a test that will run from Dec 1 2023 to Nov 30 2024.
Hopefully they add more countries to this scheme too as travel to China is massively down compare to pre Covid.
This sounds similar to the deal Singaporean and Japanese passport holders get.
Apparently this is a test that will run from Dec 1 2023 to Nov 30 2024.
Hopefully they add more countries to this scheme too as travel to China is massively down compare to pre Covid.
Nov 24, 2023, 3:38 am
#2
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https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/2023...82a5eff22.html
China decided to offer visa-free entry to travelers holding ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning announced on Friday.
She said that citizens from those countries are able to enter China without a visa and stay for no more than 15 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes.
She said that citizens from those countries are able to enter China without a visa and stay for no more than 15 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes.
Nov 24, 2023, 4:02 am
#3
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Thanks for reporting !That is… totally unexpected given the past few years’ trend.
I shall try it on Dec 2nd for a day trip and report here !
Last edited by maalloc; Nov 24, 2023 at 4:17 am
Nov 24, 2023, 9:20 am
#4
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That's really good news. Hope eventually it can be extended to 30 days, it'll certainly help reduce the burden for those who are turned off by applying for a visa.
Nov 24, 2023, 10:18 am
#5
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Maybe eventually that will happen, but similar to Japan and Singapore (which have had 15 day privileges for ages), none of these countries are popular tax shelters.
Nov 24, 2023, 3:15 pm
#6
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Usually when China loosens visa requirements, they expect reciprocity. This might be why it is only in place for a one year trial.
Nov 24, 2023, 5:46 pm
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Nov 24, 2023, 7:24 pm
#8
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Nov 24, 2023, 8:37 pm
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To show real sincerity China needs to give this to Americans.
Seriously though, does this policy have any caveats? Such as the cumulative number of days in China in a year, or the number of entries? Based on this someone can just do a "visa run" every 2 weeks and stay in China indefinitely.
Seriously though, does this policy have any caveats? Such as the cumulative number of days in China in a year, or the number of entries? Based on this someone can just do a "visa run" every 2 weeks and stay in China indefinitely.
Nov 24, 2023, 8:52 pm
#10
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To show real sincerity China needs to give this to Americans.
Seriously though, does this policy have any caveats? Such as the cumulative number of days in China in a year, or the number of entries? Based on this someone can just do a "visa run" every 2 weeks and stay in China indefinitely.
Seriously though, does this policy have any caveats? Such as the cumulative number of days in China in a year, or the number of entries? Based on this someone can just do a "visa run" every 2 weeks and stay in China indefinitely.
Nov 24, 2023, 9:12 pm
#11
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Conversely....
Nov 24, 2023, 9:31 pm
#12
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To show real sincerity China needs to give this to Americans.
Seriously though, does this policy have any caveats? Such as the cumulative number of days in China in a year, or the number of entries? Based on this someone can just do a "visa run" every 2 weeks and stay in China indefinitely.
Seriously though, does this policy have any caveats? Such as the cumulative number of days in China in a year, or the number of entries? Based on this someone can just do a "visa run" every 2 weeks and stay in China indefinitely.
Wrt the US and other unwelcoming countries, reciprocity seems to pretty important (e.g. $100 fee plus interview is a two way street, but so is 10-year validity).
Nov 25, 2023, 1:57 am
#13
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On the issue of reciprocity as France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain are in Schengen they would be unable to unilaterally grant reciprocity without the rest of Schengen agreeing?
Nov 25, 2023, 2:10 am
#14
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Hmmm. Interesting point. If those countries aren't able to grant reciprocity, then China isn't really putting itself in a position to lose face by offering them unrequited visa free entry.
Nov 25, 2023, 2:43 am
#15
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In practice, it would be non-enforceable otherwise, given our open borders. A person could simply enter one country visa-free and drive/take train/bicycle/walk into somewhere that requires a visa. See what happens with people climbing at the fence at Ceuta.
Reciprocity doesn't necessarily have to be a given though. There are many examples where visa-free is only in one direction. French nationals can visit Maroc and Sénégal visa-free, but the ressortissants of these two countries have to have a visa to enter Schengen and France.