China Expands Visa-Free Entry to Nine Countries

China will expand its visa-free entry policy to include citizens from nine additional countries, effective November 30, in a bid to revitalize tourism and business amid an economic slowdown. Travelers from Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan will be permitted to stay for up to 30 days without a visa, a significant extension from the previous 15 days. This expansion increases the total number of countries with visa-free access to 38, up from just three prior to the pandemic. The initiative aims to strengthen international exchanges, especially among students and academics, as China seeks to improve strained diplomatic relations. Furthermore, the Commerce Ministry has indicated plans to negotiate mutual short-term business visa exemptions with more countries to enhance business travel. These developments follow a gradual easing of strict entry restrictions that China maintained during the pandemic.