China Introduces Visa-Free Entry for 12 Nations
By
May 11, 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the extension of the visa-free entry policy for citizens from 12 countries, including Malaysia, until the end of 2025. This announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the Sixth Meeting of the China-France Business Council on May 6, 2024, in France.
Initially introduced for select European countries and Malaysia in November 2023, the visa-free arrangement was set to expire in November 2024. However, due to its success and positive impact on tourism and the economy, an extension was deemed necessary.
Since the relaxation of pandemic restrictions in 2023, China has seen a gradual increase in international visitors. In the first quarter of 2024, the National Immigration Administration reported that foreign nationals accounted for 13 million of the total 141 million exits and entries.
While these numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, they indicate a significant recovery from the travel downturn experienced during the pandemic.
The extension of visa-free policies is part of China’s broader strategy to boost its economy through international tourism. This strategy includes relaxing visa regulations and introducing similar visa-free entries for citizens of Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland from mid-March 2024 onwards. Additional pilot programs have also been launched for other European and Asian countries. Unfortunately, Pakistan is not yet included in these initiatives.
Data from 2023 shows a gradual recovery, with 35.5 million entries and exits by foreigners, representing approximately 36% of pre-pandemic figures. The last quarter of 2023 alone witnessed over half of these crossings, indicating a growing momentum that could continue in the years ahead.
