China Expands Visa-Free Policy for Multiple Countries

China has announced an expansion of its visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from several countries, including Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea. This policy, set to begin on November 11, 2024, will allow citizens of these countries to engage in business activities, travel, sightseeing, visits to relatives and friends, and transit in China without a visa, as long as their stay does not exceed 31 days.

According to Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, this visa-free policy will be implemented on a trial basis until December 12, 2025. The policy aims to promote international exchanges and economic and trade cooperation. This move is part of China’s efforts to expand its visa exemption scope, having already introduced visa-free treatment for countries such as Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, and Austria earlier this year.

China’s visa-free policy has seen significant growth in the number of foreigners entering the country. In the first three quarters of this year, the number of foreigners entering the country without a visa reached 8 million, an increase of 488.5% compared to the same period last year. The number of visa-free entries reached 488.5 million, an increase of 78.6%.

In addition to the expanded visa-free policy, China has also announced an increase in direct flights between China and Canada. Air Canada will increase its four round-trip flights per week from Vancouver to Shanghai to seven flights per week starting December 12 and plans to resume direct flights from Vancouver to Beijing on January 7, 2025.

China’s National Immigration Administration reported a total of 1.6 million people checked nationwide in the first three quarters of this year, an increase of 30.1% compared to the same period last year. The number of foreigners entering various ports reached 818.6 million, an increase of 48.8%.

Key Statistics:

• 8 million: Number of foreigners entering China without a visa in the first three quarters of this year.
• 488.5%: Increase in the number of foreigners entering China without a visa compared to the same period last year.
• 1.6 million: Total number of people checked nationwide in the first three quarters of this year.
• 30.1%: Increase in the number of people checked nationwide compared to the same period last year.
• 818.6 million: Number of foreigners entering various ports in the third quarter.
• 48.8%: Increase in the number of foreigners entering various ports compared to the same period last year.