China has dramatically expanded its international tourism reach by extending visa-free access to 38 countries and doubling the maximum stay period to 30 days. The new China 30-day visa-free policy, effective November 30, 2024, adds nine new countries, including Japan and eight European nations, to the growing list of countries with visa-free entry to China.
Economic Impact of Visa-free travel to China
The policy changes have already demonstrated substantial economic benefits. Travel services exports, primarily from inbound tourism, reached $24.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, marking a 149% increase year-over-year. The tourism ministry reports a 79% surge in inbound tourists during this period, totaling 94.6 million visitors.
“Since the beginning of this year, international passenger flights have steadily increased, surpassing 6,000 flights per week during the summer, achieving over 80% of the annual target,” reported Shang Kejia, Deputy Director General of the Department of Air Transport at the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Additional Countries with visa-free entry to China
The list of China visa-free countries continues to grow as “ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can enter China without a need to apply for a visa for various purposes including business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transit,” announced Lin Jian, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson. The program will remain in effect through the end of 2025.
The newly added destinations for visa-free travel to China include:
- Japan
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Malta
- Estonia
- Latvia
This development is particularly significant for Japan, which has been actively seeking the restoration of its extended visa-free stay in China since it was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Travel Incentives and Tourism Partnerships
Photo from Business Wire
As part of the tourism ministry’s Nihao! China Tourism Partnership Program, Alipay has launched a China Travel Voucher Pack offering $28 in special offers for international travelers. These vouchers cover various services, including:
- Flight bookings
- Hotel accommodations
- Train travel
- Shopping at participating locations
The comprehensive approach to welcoming international visitors signals China’s commitment to revitalizing its tourism sector and strengthening global connections in the post-pandemic era.
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