In December 2023, China brought in visa-free entry for citizens of five European countries and Malaysia. In the same month, 118,000 travelers from those six nations entered China without a visa under the new policy, according to immigration data Over 77% of them visited for sightseeing or business activities.
Now, two more European countries have been added to the list as China tries to encourage more people to visit for business and tourism to boost its economy.
Along with citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia, Irish and Swiss nationals will now be allowed to enter China without a visa. Visa-free entry will be granted for up to 15 days, and this policy is slated to continue until the end of November 2024.
In 2023, the Chinese National Immigration Administration recorded 35.5 million entries and exits by foreigners. The 2023 figure is just 36% of the 97.7 million border entries and exits by foreign nationals recorded in 2019, suggesting a long road to full recovery, though momentum picked up toward the end of the year. More than half of the border crossings made by foreign travelers in 2023 were recorded in the last three months of the year.
Last year also saw a surge in interest in China as a tourist destination among Europeans. Data from online travel platform Trip.com showed a 663 per cent increase in overall bookings from Europe to China compared to 2022, and an almost 29 per cent increase on 2019. The United Kingdom and Germany were among the top 10 sources of inbound travellers to China globally, the data shows.
Shanghai remains the most popular destination among Europeans with its alluring blend of modernity and tradition, followed by Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Sanya, a beachside city on Hainan Island, and Chengdu in Sichuan province – are emerging destinations.
The efforts to woo more international travelers have continued in the new year and more countries are also extending visa-free entry for Chinese citizens to boost their tourism industries.
China has simplified the visa application process for American citizens. From 1 January, 2024, U.S. tourists no longer need to submit proof of round-trip air tickets, hotel reservations, their itinerary or an invitation letter to apply for a tourist visa, according to the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.
China and Singapore have officially agreed to implement a visa-free entry policy for their citizens, allowing stays of up to 30 days, from 9 February, 2024 which is the eve of Chinese New Year.
Thailand and China have also agreed to waive visa requirements for each other’s citizens from March 1, 2024. China was a top source for Thailand’s tourism industry, but the return of Chinese tourists to Thailand has been slow.
Thailand’s objective is to attract eight million Chinese visitors this year, aiming to surpass the 3.5 million recorded in 2023, although still below the pre-pandemic figure of 11 million.
China has been Malaysia’s largest source of tourists outside Southeast Asia for seven consecutive years. More than 1.5 million Chinese visitors travelled to Malaysia in 2023 and Malaysia is anticipating the arrival of some five million Chinese tourists in 2024.
