China, the world’s second-largest economy, is struggling to emerge from three years of pandemic isolation. On Tuesday it announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy, allowing eligible foreign travelers, including Americans, to stay in some parts of the country for up to 10 days.
The move is aimed at attracting more foreign visitors and boosting China’s economy.
Previously, travelers could only stay for 72 to 144 hours depending on where in the country they visited.
However, the new policy, effective immediately, applies to passport holders of 54 countries, including the US, Canada and several European and Asian countries. To be eligible, travelers must have a confirmed ticket to exit China within 10 days. Travelers can enter the country from 60 points in 24 provinces, including the capital Beijing and China’s largest city Shanghai.
The extended scheme allows transit visitors to travel to different areas during their stay, with some restrictions.
China has been relaxing its visa policies in recent months to welcome back international visitors. The country has also waived visa requirements for passport holders from 38 countries, allowing them to stay in China for up to 30 days. The move is expected to boost tourism, trade and cultural exchanges between China and other countries.
The US State Department recently reduced its travel advisory for China from Level 3 to Level 2, citing improved conditions, bringing it on par with France and Germany. This step has been taken after the release of three Americans detained in China for years.
More Americans have been detained in China than in any other country, according to the Dui Hua Foundation, an advocacy group. Level 3 advice, the second highest, warned of “risk of wrongful detention”. Now, following the release of Kai Lee, Mark Swidan and David Lin, the advisory literature has been changed to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws regarding exit restrictions.”
However it is interesting to note that China is selective when it comes to visa exemptions for longer days. For a maximum of 30 days, citizens of 38 countries can visit without a visa, including France, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland, but the United States is not on this list.
In addition to visa changes, China has also attempted to streamline travel operations, improve infrastructure, and address issues raised by international travelers.
