BEIJING — On Friday, China revealed plans to broaden its visa-free entry program for citizens from nine additional countries in an effort to stimulate tourism and business travel as a means to rejuvenate its ailing economy.
Beginning on November 30, individuals from Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan will have the opportunity to visit China without a visa for a period of up to 30 days, as stated by Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry.
This change will increase the total number of nations granted visa-free access to 38 since the program’s launch last year. Prior to this expansion, only three countries enjoyed visa-free privileges, which had been suspended during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the maximum permissible stay for travelers entering without a visa will rise from 15 days to 30 days, according to Lin. This is noteworthy as it marks the first time that individuals involved in exchanges will be eligible for such access. China has been actively promoting exchanges among students, scholars, and others to enhance its sometimes tense relationships with various countries.
During the pandemic, China imposed strict entry restrictions and was slower to lift these measures compared to many other nations. The country restored visa-free access for citizens of Brunei and Singapore in July 2023 and subsequently expanded the program to include six other nations—France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia—on December 1 of the previous year.
The visa-free entry initiative has been gradually extended in phases. Conversely, some countries have reciprocated by providing visa-free arrangements for Chinese travelers, with Thailand being a notable example aiming to attract back Chinese tourists.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, which cited a Foreign Ministry consular official, China witnessed 8.2 million entries by foreign nationals between July and September of this year, of which 4.9 million were recorded as visa-free arrivals.