Visa-free entry taking China tourist numbers ‘closer to pre-Covid levels’

Nationals of nine countries can now enter China without a visa, taking the total to 38, while those from 54 get visa-free transit

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Tourists from Malaysia pose for photos wearing dragon themed hats at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing earlier this year. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 7:00pm, 1 Dec 2024

The number of foreign tourists entering China is edging closer to pre-pandemic levels, industry insiders said on the weekend as visa-free access for nine more countries took effect.

Since Saturday, passport holders from nine countries, including Japan, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, have been able to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits or transit.

The visa-free policy now applies to 38 nations, while nationals of 54 countries can take advantage of 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transits.

Wu Liyun, a tourism professor at Beijing International Studies University, said the visa-free entry policy, including the transit-visa exemptions, “will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to China’s inbound tourism, enhancing the country’s global tourism image”.

“There’s no doubt that this year will be the best for inbound tourism since the pandemic, with overall interest in China rising steadily,” Wu said.

02:27

China expands visa-free travel to 6 new countries

Travel platforms have reported big increases in searches for Chinese destinations and international flight bookings since the decision to expand the visa-free scheme was announced on November 22.