China Signs Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements with 23 Countries

Visa Exemption

China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders on January 28. The deal will take effect on March 1. The periodic unilateral visa exemption policy of Thailand for Chinese tourists, which has been in effect since September of last year, will be officially replaced with a long-term bilateral arrangement then.

Thailand has become the third country to sign a visa abolition agreement with China, after Singapore and Antigua and Barbuda.This agreement will benefit ordinary passport holders from both countries. So far, such agreements have been signed between China and 23 countries across five continents.

The countries that enjoy comprehensive mutual visa exemption with China are Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, United Arab Emirates, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Tonga, and Armenia.

Citizens from two countries or regions signing a visa abolition agreement are allowed to stay without visas  for up to 30 days (in most cases) in the other country or region. Visa-free travel is contingent upon the possession of valid passports or other internationally recognized travel documents, as specified in the agreement. In the case where an individual has to extend his/her stay beyond 30 days, or needs to stay, work, or reside locally, an application must be submitted in advance to a visa authority or any other department in charge in the host country or region.
The comprehensive mutual visa exemption is granted to the holders of diplomatic passports, service passports, passports for public affairs, and ordinary passports.
In fact, visa facilitation measures are not limited to comprehensive mutual visa exemption. At present, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements involving different types of passports with 157 countries, and simplified visa procedures or arrangements with 44 countries. In addition, more than 60 countries and regions have granted Chinese citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival courtesy.
The measures have undoubtedly brought China closer to other countries. At the same time, an increasing number of other countries have been facilitating all types of visa applications for Chinese citizens.
Recently, the French government made an announcement regarding the eligibility of Chinese graduate degree holders who have completed studying in France for a five-year visa. Switzerland has also pledged to assist Chinese citizens and enterprises investing in Switzerland with visa applications. Ireland has also conveyed its readiness to facilitate visits by Chinese citizens to Ireland and extends a warm invitation to Chinese enterprises to invest and grow in the country.
In addition, since last December, China has optimized inbound visa application measures in multiple ways to facilitate personnel exchange between China and foreign countries. China experimented unilateral visa-free policies for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have taken periodical measures to reduce visa fees by 25 percent for visitors to China. Five measures have been implemented to remove challenges that hinder foreign individuals from conducting business, studying and traveling, and engaging in other activities in China.

"Ready to go at any time", "come whenever you want", and "bilateral travel" are waiting for you!