What’s new: China will resume issuing various types of visas to tourists and other foreign travelers from Wednesday, as the country lifts some of the last Covid restrictions that have hampered cross-border travel for the past three years.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the move includes allowing foreigners with visas issued before March 28, 2020, which are still valid, to enter China.
Chinese embassies abroad, as well as visa agencies at ports of entry, will resume issuing all types of visas, although applicants will not be granted port visas until authorities determine their reasons for travel are legitimate, the ministry’s Department of Consular Affairs said in a statement Tuesday. A port visa allows travelers to gain entry to China without obtaining a visa at the Chinese embassy.
In addition, authorities will resume visa-free entry for certain groups, including those visiting the island province of Hainan and foreigners entering the southern province of Guangdong in groups from Hong Kong and Macao, according to the statement.
The background: Foreign nationals have faced enormous hurdles traveling to China since March 2020, after Beijing essentially closed its borders due to the global pandemic of Covid-19.
Tuesday’s announcement comes as China seeks to restore cross-border travel to pre-pandemic levels as the country emerges from its strict “zero-Covid” policy that took a heavy toll on its economy.
Beijing has taken several steps to boost international travel, including resuming issuing visas for family visits to citizens of certain countries, such as the U.S. and Singapore, and waiving pre-flight testing rules for some countries.
Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)
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